Fractional Distillation

 

Fractional Distillation

Fractional Distillation

—  Fractional distillation technique involve the separation of mixture of chemicals into their respective parts or fractions on the basis of their boiling points.

—  It involves the separation miscible liquids.

—  It is mostly used in the separation of hydrocarbons from oxygenated volatile oils.

—  Separation occur when the liquid is heated up to certain temperature at which the fractions start vaporization.

—  The separation principal is based upon the difference in the boiling points of different fractions of the mixture.

—  When the mixture is heated the fraction having lower boiling point will  1^st start boiling and coverts to its vapor state.

—  Fractional distillation apparatus consist of distilling flask, condenser, receiver, fractionating column, thermometer and a heating source.

—  Two liquids X (more volatile) and Y (less volatile) i.e having different boiling point are taken in distillation flask.

—  A fractionating column is fixed at the tip of the distillation flask.

—  Now heat is supplied which rises the temperature slowly.

—  With the increase in temperature mixture start boiling and vapors start rising up the flask.

—  These vapors are from the liquid X ( more volatile).

—  The vapors then pass through the fractionating column into the condenser where they get cooled down and covert to liquid state.

—  The liquid is then collected in the receiver.

—  Throughout the process  the vaporization and condensation are continued till the whole liquid mixture separates into its respective components completely.