Which method is used to extract kerosene from crude oil?

The extraction of kerosene from crude oil is performed using fractional distillation due to the complex mixture of hydrocarbons that comprise crude oil. Fractional distillation is an effective method because it separates components based on their different boiling points, allowing for the collection of specific fractions of the mixture as they vaporize and condense.

In the process of fractional distillation, crude oil is heated in a distillation column where it is separated into various components, each with distinct boiling point ranges. Kerosene, which typically boils between 150°C and 250°C, is collected from a specific height within the column where its vapor condenses back into liquid form. This method is much more suited for separating components like kerosene, compared to simple distillation, which is only capable of purifying a single substance with a limited purity.

Other options, such as dissolving and crystallization, are not applicable in this context as they are methods used for different types of chemical separations. Dissolving refers to the process of solutes dispersing within solvents, which does not yield a separation of a mixture like crude oil. Crystallization involves forming solid crystals from a solution and is not used for the extraction of liquid hydrocarbons. Therefore, fractional