Mobil Connect
Mobil Connect
  • Site
  • User
  • Site
  • Search
  • User
  • -Glossary of Terms
    • +A
    • +B
    • +C
    • -D
      • de-oiling
      • deaerator
      • deasphalting
      • degas
      • degradation
      • dehydrator
      • delamination wear
      • demerit rating
      • demulsibility
      • demulsifier
      • denaturing oil
      • density
      • DEO
      • Department of Transportation (DOT)
      • deplete
      • depletion allowance
      • deposits
      • depth filter
      • depth filter media
      • dermatitis
      • desoprtion
      • detergent
      • detergent oil
      • detergency
      • detergent-dispersant
      • detonation
      • dewaxing
      • dibasic acid ester (diester)
      • dielectric
      • dielectric loss
      • dielectric strength (breakdown voltage)
      • diesel engine
      • diesel fuel
      • diesel index
      • dieseling
      • diester
      • differential pressure indicator
      • differential pressure valve
      • Dilchil®
      • diluent
      • dilution of engine oil
      • dimer
      • DIN
      • directional control servo valve
      • DKA
      • dN factor
      • diolefin
      • direct additive
      • directional control valve
      • dirt capacity
      • dispersant
      • dispersion
      • disposable
      • dissipation factor
      • dissolved air
      • dissolved gases
      • dissolved water
      • distillate
      • distillate fuel
      • distillation (fractionation)
      • distillation method
      • distillation test
      • distillation tower
      • dolomite
      • double seal
      • drag
      • drag-reducing additive (DRA)
      • drain interval
      • drawing
      • drawing compound
      • drilling
      • drilling fluid
      • drilling mud
      • drilling oil
      • drop-feed oiler
      • dropping point
      • drum
      • dry lubrication
      • dry point
      • dry running
      • dry sump
      • dual line system
      • dumbbell blend
      • duplex filter
      • dynamic demulsibility
      • dynamic load
      • dynamic seal
      • dynamometer
      • dyne
    • +E
    • +F
    • +G
    • +H
    • +I
    • +J
    • +K
    • +L
    • +M
    • +N
    • +O
    • +P
    • +Q
    • +R
    • +S
    • +T
    • +U
    • +V
    • +W
    • +X
    • +Y
    • +Z

distillation (fractionation)

distillation (fractionation) - the primary refining step, in which crude oil is separated into fractions, or components, in a distillation tower, or pipe still. Heat, usually applied at the bottom of the tower, causes the oil vapors to rise through progressively cooler levels of the tower, where they condense onto plates and are drawn off in order of their respective condensation temperatures, or boiling points - the lighter-weight, lower­ boiling-point fractions, exiting higher in the tower. The primary fractions, from low to high boiling point, are: hydrocarbon gases (e.g., ethane, propane); naphtha (e.g., gasoline); kerosene, diesel fuel (heating oil); and heavy gas oil for cracking. Heavy materials remaining at the bottom are called the bottoms, or residuum, and include such components as heavy fuel oil (see fuel oil) and asphaltic substances (see asphalt). Those fractions taken in liquid form from any level other than the very top or bottom are called side-stream products; a product, such as propane, removed in vapor form from the top of the distillation tower is called overhead product. Distillation may take place in two stages: first, the lighter fractions - gases, naphtha, and kerosene - are recovered at essentially atmospheric pressure; next, the remaining crude is distilled at reduced pressure in a vacuum tower, causing the heavy lube fractions to distill at much lower temperatures than possible at atmospheric pressure, thus permitting more lube oil to be distilled without the molecular cracking that can occur at excessively high temperatures. See hydro-cracking.

  • Share
  • History
  • More
  • Cancel
ExxonMobil
Exxon Mobil Esso XTO
  • Do not sell my personal information
  • Cookie Settings
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & Conditions
© Copyright 2014-2021 Exxon Mobil Corporation. All Rights Reserved