Distillation essay

In such cases, fractional distillation is used whereby the constituents are separated by a fractionating column. In the fractionating column, the plates are arranged and the compound with the least boiling point is collected at the top while those with higher boiling point are present at the bottom.

The choice of whether to use fractional distillation or simple distillation depends on the two liquids being separated. Typically, using simple distillation is preferable because the apparatus is, well, simpler, and a simple distillation typically goes faster than a fractional distillation (and requires less energy).

The operation of the distillation is employed for the purification of liquids from non-volatile impurities. The liquid is heated to the vapor phase and then is collected and recondensed to give back the pure liquid . The non-volatile impurities are left behind in the flask. Here our main focus will be at the fractional distillation.

To prevent bumping it is customary to put a few pieces of unglazed porcelain in the distillation flask. While distilling a very volatile and inflammable liquid such as ether, the distillation flask is heated on a water-bath and not on wire gauze. In case of very high boiling liquids, the flask is heater directly with a naked flame. 2.