Distillation & Fractionating Column
DISTILLATION & FRACTIONATING COLUMN
FAQ'S
Fractional distillation is essentially the same as simple distillation except that a fractionating column is placed between the boiling flask and the condenser and usually filled with glass or plastic beads.
Diameters of it vary and may range from about 65 cm in smaller towers to about 6 m and more in larger columns, even up to 15 m or 50 feet in some applications
There are two types of fractionating columns: tray column & packed column.
Fractional distillation separates a mixture into a number of different parts, called fractions. A tall fractionating column is fitted above the mixture, with several condensers coming off at different heights. The crude oil is evaporated and its vapors condense at different temperatures in the fractionating column.