Distillation is a process of separation of a mixture of liquids based on differences in the boiling points (or volatility) of its constituents. This process can be used to extract water from a salt solution. Since the boiling point of the dissolved solute (salt) is higher than the boiling point of the solvent (water). Solvent vapor evaporates from the solution as it is heated. The gas escapes and cools and condenses back to liquid. As the amount of solvent in the remaining solution decreases, the concentration of the solute increases. Some of the applications of the distillation process are listed below:
- Purification of organic solvents.
- Refining of petroleum products.
- Remove salt from the water.
- Separation of methanol or ethanol from water.
- Separation of non-volatile substances from volatile ones.
- Purification of drugs manufactured using the chemical process.
Table of Contents
Fractional Distillation
Fractional distillation is a technique for separating different liquids from a mixture. This technique separates hydrocarbons using their different boiling points. It can be used to separate ethanol from a mixture of ethanol and water, as well as to separate various fractions of crude oil.
The steps of the process are evaporation, condensation, and collection.
Evaporation
- Heat is applied to crude oil until it evaporates.
- Crude oil vapors rise upward in the column.
Condensation
- At the bottom of the column, the temperature is the highest.
- The boiling points of short-chain hydrocarbons are lower. They rise up the column, condensing at lower temperatures as they get closer to the top.
- Long-chain hydrocarbons condense and collect as liquids at the bottom.
Collection
The fractions are being gathered. After that, they’re processed to make the following final products:
- Fuels (e.g., LNG, gasoline, and diesel) are a typical end product.
- Some fractions can be used as feedstock (material used in an industrial process) in the petrochemical industry to make solvents, lubricants, and detergents, among other things.
Comparison Table Between Fractional distillation and Simple distillation
| Simple Distillation | Fractional Distillation |
| Fractional distillation is the process of separating the mixture into its parts. | Simple distillation is the process in which two liquids with different boiling points can be separated. |
| Vapour is directly passed through the condenser. | Vapour must pass through a fractionating column in which partial condensation of vapor occurs. |
| Condensate is collected directly onto the receiver. | Condensation occurs in the fractionating column, which results in a part of the condensing vapor returning to the still. |
| Fractional distillation is used for crude refining. | Simple distillation is used to purify seawater. |
| Fractional distillation can separate the mixture, which has boiling points close to each other. | Simple distillation can separate the mixture by fifty degrees difference in their boiling nature. |
Summary
Distillation is the separation of a mixture of liquids based on variations in their boiling points (or volatility). Water may be extracted from a salt solution using this method.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. Distillation meaning
The process of converting a liquid into vapor, which is then condensed back into liquid form.
2. What are the Uses of distillation?
Distillation is used in a variety of industries, including oil refining, water purification, and the manufacture of alcoholic beverages.
3. What is the purpose of distillation?
Distillation is a technique for purifying a chemical by separating it from a non-volatile or less-volatile substance. Because various compounds frequently have different boiling points, when a combination is distilled, the components frequently separate.
4. What is the pH level of distilled water?
Distilled water has a pH of 7, making it neither acidic nor alkaline. Due to its great purity, distilled water is particularly environmentally sensitive, and even a tiny quantity of carbon dioxide from the air can cause it to turn somewhat acidic.
5. What is the example of static pressure?
The pressure of a fluid or gas while it is not moving is referred to as static pressure. As an example, consider the pressure inside a balloon.
6. What is the Thermal mass of material?
A material’s thermal mass is its capacity to absorb, store, and release heat. Thermal mass elements such as water, soil, bricks, wood, rocks, steel, and concrete operate as heat sinks in warm weather and as heat sources in cold weather.
7. What is static electricity?
Static electricity is a stationary electric charge caused by friction, which can result in sparks, crackling, or the attraction of dust or hair.
8. PV diagram
A PV diagram is a graph that shows the relationship between the system’s pressure P and volume V. It is used to calculate the amount of work done by or on the gas during expansion or compression.
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