<P> Petroleum ( from Ancient Greek : petra : `` rock '' + oleum : `` oil '' ) is a naturally occurring , yellow - to - black liquid found in geological formations beneath the Earth 's surface . It is commonly refined into various types of fuels . Components of petroleum are separated using a technique called fractional distillation i.e. separation of a liquid mixture into fractions differing in boiling point by means of distillation , typically using a fractionating column . </P>
<P> Petroleum ( from Ancient Greek : petra : `` rock '' + oleum : `` oil '' ) is a naturally occurring , yellow - to - black liquid found in geological formations beneath the Earth 's surface . It is commonly refined into various types of fuels . Components of petroleum are separated using a technique called fractional distillation i.e. separation of a liquid mixture into fractions differing in boiling point by means of distillation , typically using a fractionating column . </P>
what is the name of the process used to separate the components of petroleum
what is the name of the process used to separate the components of petroleum
fractional distillation
fractional distillation