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fractional distillation

noun

, Chemistry.
  1. the separation of volatile components of different boiling points in a mixture by the gradual increase of temperature and the separate collection of each component.


fractional distillation

noun

  1. the process of separating the constituents of a liquid mixture by heating it and condensing separately the components according to their different boiling points
  2. a distillation in which the vapour is brought into contact with a countercurrent of condensed liquid to increase the purity of the final products
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


fractional distillation

  1. A process by which a chemical compound is separated into components by distillation. In fractional distillation the compound is heated and, as each of its constituent components comes to a boil, its vapors are separated and cooled, so it can be removed in its pure form. Fractional distillation is used to refine petroleum.
  2. See also distillation


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Word History and Origins

Origin of fractional distillation1

First recorded in 1855–60

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