What is the Difference Between Fractional and Simple Distillation?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between fractional and simple distillation lies in the separation process of mixtures with different boiling points. Here are the key differences between the two methods:
Simple Distillation:
- Used to separate mixtures with widely disparate boiling points.
- Experimental setup is simple, consisting of two flasks and a condenser.
- Less efficient at separating liquids with similar boiling points.
- Faster process compared to fractional distillation.
- Commonly used for purification of seawater.
Fractional Distillation:
- Used to separate mixtures containing chemicals with similar boiling points.
- Experimental setup is complex, consisting of a fractionating column, condenser, and other components.
- More efficient at separating liquids with similar boiling points.
- Slower process compared to simple distillation, as it requires pseudo-equilibrium between vapor and liquid throughout the system.
- Commonly used in the refining process of crude oil.
In simple distillation, the substance with the lower boiling point starts to boil first and converts into vapors, while the fractional distillation process involves a more complex apparatus with a fractionating column, which provides better separation due to the presence of glass beads that act as "theoretical plates".
Comparative Table: Fractional vs Simple Distillation
Here is a table comparing the differences between fractional and simple distillation:
| Feature | Simple Distillation | Fractional Distillation |
|---|---|---|
| Boiling Point | Separates mixtures with a minimum of 50 degrees difference in boiling points. | Separates liquids with boiling points close to one another. |
| Setup | Simple apparatus with two flasks and a condenser. | Complex apparatus with a fractionating column. |
| Vaporization | Vapor is condensed once, with non-volatile impurities remaining in the flask. | Vapors condense and then re-evaporate multiple times in the fractionating column, creating multiple vaporization-condensation cycles. |
| Theoretical Plates | One simple distillation is equivalent to one theoretical plate. | One theoretical plate is equivalent to one vaporization-condensation cycle in the fractionating column. |
| Applications | Used for purification of seawater. | Used for refining crude oil. |
Simple distillation is best suited for separating mixtures with widely disparate boiling points, while fractional distillation is used for mixtures containing chemicals with similar boiling points. Fractional distillation involves repeated vaporization and condensation cycles, allowing for better separation of compounds with close boiling points.
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