- #1
Kaushik
- 282
- 17
Could someone please explain fractional distillation? I find it really confusing to understand.
Thanks!
Thanks!
What specific questions do you have when reading introductory articles like the one at Wikipedia? Is it the function of the column that is confusing?Kaushik said:Could someone please explain fractional distillation? I find it really confusing to understand.
Thanks!
It says that there is a temperature gradient in the fractional column. So the component with higher boiling point condenses before the one with a lower boiling point as it rises up the column. This condensation and vapourization occur and gradually they are separated.berkeman said:What specific questions do you have when reading introductory articles like the one at Wikipedia? Is it the function of the column that is confusing?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractional_distillation
View attachment 257118
The basic source of movement is the boiling in the flask. When liquids are vaporized they expand greatly, so there is a net flow away from the flask. The distillation process is a selection of which molecules travel farthest in a decreasing temperature environment to get out to the condenser. Some will condense back to liquid in the column and fall back into the flask. Note that if the temperature at the top of the column is cold enough that everything re-condenses, then there will be no net flow out to the condenser.Kaushik said:But how does it reach the top i.e, the condenser?
Nah!hutchphd said:This works like an old "single pipe" steam radiator in a house. The condensation pulls vapor that is pushed by the boiler. The vapor necessarily comes from the cooler top of the distillation column (which will gradually get hotter as the batch is fractionally evaporated)
Fractional distillation is a process used to separate a mixture of liquids with different boiling points. It involves heating the mixture to its boiling point, and then collecting the vapors as they condense at different temperatures.
Fractional distillation works by taking advantage of the different boiling points of the components in a liquid mixture. As the mixture is heated, the component with the lowest boiling point will vaporize first, and its vapors will be collected. The remaining liquid will continue to heat until the next component with a higher boiling point vaporizes, and so on.
Fractional distillation is commonly used in the petroleum industry to separate crude oil into different components such as gasoline, diesel, and kerosene. It is also used in the production of alcoholic beverages, essential oils, and in the purification of water.
The main difference between fractional distillation and simple distillation is that fractional distillation is used to separate a mixture of liquids with similar boiling points, while simple distillation is used to separate a mixture of liquids with large differences in boiling points. Fractional distillation also uses a fractionating column to enhance the separation process.
Fractional distillation allows for the separation of complex mixtures into their individual components, providing a purer product. It is also a relatively simple and cost-effective process compared to other separation techniques. Additionally, fractional distillation can be scaled up for industrial use or scaled down for laboratory use.