Courses : Forest Ecology Lecturer :Frischa Adellia Semester : 4thSemester, 2022/2023 Session Fractional Distillation Fractional distillation is a method of separating substances in a liquid mixture based on differences in boiling points using a long distillation column. This process was developed as an improvement over simple distillation, especially when the boiling point difference between the components in the liquid mixture is not very large. The basic principle of fractional distillation is that the components in a liquid mixture undergo repeated evaporation and condensation as they pass through the distillation column. A distillation column consists of a number of "trays" or "packings" designed to increase the contact surface between the vapor and the condensing liquid. During this process, components with lower boiling points will tend to re-condensate and return to the column, while components with higher boiling points will continue to rise upward and be condensed at the top of the column. Fractional distillation generally produces more efficient separation than simple distillation due to the repeated purification mechanism within the distillation column. This method is generally used in the chemical, pharmaceutical and oil and gas refining industries to separate complex liquid mixtures into purer and cleaner components. In fractional distillation, several trays or packings contained in the distillation column allow repeated interactions between the vapor phase and the condensation liquid. These trays can be plates with holes or filled with packing material such as glass balls or metal rods. The relatively small differences in boiling points between the components in a mixture make it difficult to separate them efficiently using simple distillation. Fractional distillation overcomes this problem by creating repeated purification zones within the distillation column, where different components can be separated gradually according to their different boiling points. The main benefit of fractional distillation is its ability to separate complex liquid mixtures into purer fractions with high efficiency. This process is often used in the chemical industry for the production of fine chemicals, in the oil and gas industry for the separation of crude oil fractions, and in the pharmaceutical industry for the separation of medicinal compounds. Thus, fractional distillation is an important separation method in industrial chemistry, allowing the efficient separation of complex liquid mixtures into purer and more useful components. Benefits of fractional distillation include: 1. More efficient separation: Fractional distillation allows the separation of components in a mixture more efficiently than simple distillation, especially when the difference in boiling points between the components is relatively small. This process increases the ability to purify the compounds in the mixture to a high degree of purity. 2. Energy savings: Despite requiring a long and complex distillation column, fractional distillation can produce more efficient separation with lower energy usage compared to other distillation methods. This is because the repeated purification process in the distillation column produces better separation with less energy usage. 3. Applications in industry: Fractional distillation has various applications in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and oil and gas industries. In the chemical industry, this method is used for the production of pure chemical compounds. In the oil and gas industry, fractional distillation is used to separate crude oil fractions into purer products such as gasoline, diesel and fuel oil. Meanwhile, in the pharmaceutical industry, fractional distillation is used to separate drug compounds from reaction mixtures. 4. Purification of materials: Fractional distillation can also be used to purify other materials, such as purifying water for industrial purposes or human consumption. This process helps produce ingredients that are purer and free of unwanted contaminants. Thus, fractional distillation has significant benefits in industry and a variety of other applications, aiding in the purification of chemical compounds, the separation of complex liquid mixtures, and the processing of high-purity materials. In conclusion, fractional distillation is an important separation method in industry and chemical laboratories. This process allows the separation of components in a liquid mixture with a high degree of purity, especially when the boiling point difference between the components is relatively small. The main benefits of fractional distillation include more efficient separation, energy savings, various applications in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and oil and gas industries, and the ability to purify other materials such as water. With fractional distillation, industry can produce products with a high level of purity, increase production efficiency, and meet strict quality standards. Thus, the understanding and application of fractional distillation has an important role in chemical industry and research, helping in separating components in complex liquid mixtures and producing pure, high-quality products.