Fractional Distillation Definition
Fractional Distillation is used to separate miscible liquids that are volatile in nature. The boiling points of these liquids are close enough. The fractionating column apparatus is used to simulate the separation. Also known as liquification, since the vapour is condensed partially and returned as a liquid. It is basically a process where the vaporization of a liquid mixture gives rise to a mixture of constituents, followed by the extraction of the required component in its pure form.
However, this technique can be only used to separate miscible liquids, which form pure azeotropic mixtures.
Fractionating Column
The apparatus used in this process is similar to that for simple distillation except for a fractionating column which is fitted in between the distillation flask and the condenser. A simple fractionating column is a tube packed with glass beads. The beads provide a surface for the vapours to cool and condense repeatedly.
Fractional Distillation
Fractional Distillation is a technique used in the separation of miscible liquids. The process requires repeated distillations and condensations of the mixture. The separation of the mixture happens when the mixture is heated at a certain temperature where fractions of the mixture start to vaporize and are collected separately. Fraction Distillation works on the liquid that has liquid mixed together with different heat of vaporization. Petroleum Oil is distilled into Petrol, Diesel, Petroleum Jelly, etc. using the Fractional Distillation method.
In this article, we will learn about fractional distillation in chemistry, the fractional distillation definition, the fractional distillation process, and others in detail.
Table of Content
- Fractional Distillation Definition
- Principle of Fractional Distillation
- Fractional Distillation Procedure
- Applications of Fractional Distillation
- Difference between Simple Distillation and Fractional Distillation