Fractional Distillation vs. Simple Distillation
Key Differences
Comparison Chart
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Apparatus
Resources
Process
Accuracy
Repetition
Solvent Separation
Products
Main Uses
Fractional Distillation vs. Simple Distillation
Fractional distillation is a method that is used to separate liquids that have very close boiling points. On the other hand, simple distillation can be used to separate only those liquids that have large gaps of boiling points of at least 50 degrees between them. Fractional distillation is a longer, more time-consuming procedure; however, simple distillation only requires vaporization, and condensation thus takes less time than its comparative.
Fractional distillation also takes more resources as it can require the process to be repeated several times to complete the separation of all of the fluids, but simple distillation takes lesser time due to the simplicity in its process. Fractional distillation uses the same apparatus with the addition of a fractionating column, whereas simple distillation involves a simple apparatus with two flasks and a condenser.
In fractional distillation, the fractionating column is used in the process as a segregator for different liquids involve in the process, whereas, in simple distillation, the liquid is separated as liquid with the lowest boiling point gets separated as it vaporizes and then condensed to a liquid form. Fractional distillation requires the process to be repeated several times to complete the separation of all of the solutions, whereas, for simple distillation, the process does not have to be repeated several times as a single take can do the purpose.
Fractional distillation cannot be used to separate a solvent from a solute; however, in simple distillation, the solvent can be separated from solute by following the process. In fractional distillation, many significant components need to be recovered as products, whereas in simple distillation, the main component is usually a single product that is required to be separated. Fractional distillation’s main example is crude oil refining, whereas saltwater is refined by following the process of simple distillation.
What is Fractional Distillation?
Fractional distillation is a technique that is used for the separation of components from complex mixtures. These components in this complex have closer boiling points. For such type of complex mixtures traditional form of distillation processes are meaningless. There a modified distillation like fractional distillation gets the work done.
Fractional distillation is a method that is used to separate liquids that have very close boiling points. The apparatus used in fractional distillation is complex as compared to traditional apparatuses with the addition of a fractionating column. This fractionating column is fixed to a flask that contains the liquid mixture. These fractionating columns act as small obstruction and for gases rising in the chamber. It will prevent the impure vapors from passing through.
Glass beads in this fractionating column provide a larger surface area for the processes of vaporization and condensation. This fractionating column is used in the process as a segregator for different liquids involve in the process. As let’s say, if a mixture of two components is heated, the vapor formed will consist of both components due to less difference in their boiling points.
But as time passes, the temperature will gradually fall, and the top of the fractioning column will reach the lower temperature point. The constituent with a minimum boiling point will be filtered there, and the remaining one with a higher boiling point will be collected at the lower end of the flask.
Complex liquids have a slightly different boiling point, and with the help of this fractionating column, these liquids get separated at their boiling point. Simple as it may seem, but fractional column adds complexity to its apparatus. Fractional distillation requires the process to be repeated several times to complete the separation of all of the fluids. This type of distillation cannot be used to separate a solvent from a solute.
Rather a compound like crude oil is distilled, and as many significant components need to be recovered as products during distillation. The phenomena involved in fractional distillation is that the components that have different boiling points are collected at different fraction during the process. This distillation is repeated many times, and that’s why it is also referred to as rectification distillation.
Repetitions in the process mean better separation of different components. Fractional distillation is mainly used in crude oil refining, where all different components get separated during the process.
What is Simple Distillation?
Simple distillation is a type of distillation which is used to separate those liquids that have large gaps of boiling points. These larger gaps could be of at least 50 degrees between them as it does not use a fractionating column. It involves a simple apparatus with two flasks and a condenser.
The process for distillation does not have to be repeated several times as a single take can do the purpose. This process starts at the boiling of the mixture at first, and the component which has the lowest melting point will start to boil and then will start vaporizing. Vapors are sent through the condenser where it is condensed, cooled, and then liquefied to collect as a separate compound.
The solvent that has to be separated usually boils at an earlier boiling point leaving behind all the unwanted solutes. In this type of distillation, a solvent can be separated from solute by following the process. The main component is usually a single product that is required to be separated. Simple distillation is usually used to separate liquid solvents from solid substances. Saltwater is refined by following the process of simple distillation.
