A Brief Introduction to Fractional Distillation

A short overview of how fractional distillation is often capable of producing higher purity distillates than simple distillation.

[@dannis5165]

bro you just made the distillation concept click in my head, thank you so much!! the key is understanding that the vapor composition is different than the liquid composition

[@ChemSurvival]

Glad it helped!!!

[@jessicaho6736]

thank you so much! i spent like 2 hours trying to read the textbook and still didn't understand it and you explained it in less than 10 minutes.

[@ChemSurvival]

+Jessica Ho I'm so glad you found it helpful!

[@crazydrifter13]

I like your surname

[@dancalvano8702]

Don't troll the innocent drifter13 Shadilay

[@crazydrifter13]

a true troll spares none, Mr Volcano

[@mubashirbashirawan5042]

Jessica Ho hy how are you, and in which class you ard

[@Leopr1]

I believe that I did these calculations during my bachelor's degree without knowing what was really happening, so simple and yet it could improved a lot my grades. Thank you!

[@ChemSurvival]

+Leomar Pérez Thanks for the encouraging remarks, Leomar!

[@ChemSurvival]

Hi Kris, I try to keep the videos short. Discussing packing with steel wool, glass beads or even those columns with actual physical plates would be a cool enhancement. I may yet explain this technique in a later release of the video or in a different video all together. As a side note, we have learned in our labs that even when students neglect to pack their fractionating columns, they still get better results than running stills without the column at all! Thanks for the comment.

[@ChemSurvival]

Hi lonewolferton, I really appreciate this comment. Teaching is my passion and I hope it comes through in the videos. Hopefully many more will be on the way this year. Keep your chin up and remember, if there is a will, there is a way to make your college aspirations come true. Enjoy the videos!

[@kevinbyrne4538]

Finally, a clear and simple explanation of fractional distillation. Many thanks for producing and posting this video. (I wish that I could give you more than one thumbs up.)

[@prodigy1210]

Amazing video! Thank you professor for your wonderful upload.

[@ChemSurvival]

Happy to help! Be sure to check out the other videos in my DISTILLATION! playlist.

[@CristalMediumBlue]

So far, the best explanation I've seen on this topic. Thank you!

[@odeforodds]

It took me forever to understand the material until I saw this video!!! Thank you so much, you're the best teacher ever!! God bless you <3

[@ChemSurvival]

Glad it was helpful. Be sure to subscribe and check out the rest of my videos to help you get ready!

[@Ben-up4lj]

This is a simplification which I needed a long time to understand. If you heat up the first liquid mix, it's already changing its mixture while doing that (liquid part). So you won't get a 80% purity, it has to be less. You only get almost this purity, if the second amount (the evaporated stuff) is much less then the first.

[@mohammedabid9414]

Thank you so much. My textbook and professor were both confusing, and you explained everything I needed to know in 10 minutes.

[@crazydrifter13]

This is absolutely awesome. I understood why we use a fractionating column now. Thanks a ton.

[@pilot7am]

what can i say, I spent 4 weeks in uni trying to understand it, a 9 min video that you made made me understand the whole concept thank youuuuu so muuuuuch

[@raghvendrapathak7067]

Can't believe such a nice content us 7 years old .. It helped me alot.. That is what i was searching for

[@jeffmcjefferson3793]

THX I learned so f****king much, you ezplain well and at the perfect speed.

[@seethas6064]

Thanks a bunch, I never had this much clarity about this topic though I read it many times, excellent explanation with apt animation, feel excited

[@kvrsaragadam7716]

It's very helpful.. Nice video sir.. THANK YOU SO MUCH 🙏🙏🙏

[@SamDiamonte]

Thank you for this video!! My prof never even brought up gas laws and trying to read the liquid-vapor condensation plot with no context was driving me crazy

[@mphdee]

This just saved my lab grade coming up on Thursday!

[@MrHughesNZ]

This is an excellent video which covers quite a tricky concept. Thank you for making this.

[@ChemicalEngineeringGuy]

Just in point! Very great videos!

[@peehurasotra5084]

can even tell you how much this helped! thank you💞

[@ChemSurvival]

Thank you for the comment, hamood. That is why I do it! Please pass the channel on!

[@doodle_kudul]

Awesome animation.....!!! Clear as water... thanks 😀😀😀

[@Lmfaorofl17]

I was wondering, during the fractional distillation, was the temperature regulated and what would have been the ideal temperature? Great video, very thorough.

[@francescperna]

You seriously couldn't be more clear. I love this video.

[@ChemSurvival]

Thanks, Francesca. This is one of my personal favorites, too. If you like my style, please check out my channel and consider sharing and subscribing!

[@diamondbennett4005]

I watched 4 videos and this was the first one that actually clicked for me. Thank you!

[@rebeccalalmuanpuii1062]

Thank you...you explain it so simple, great help

[@Sv-ry9lj]

The best ever video for explaining distillation. You are awesome ! The biggest plus is explaining with the T xy Graph and theoretical plates . This is what we expect from every professor. Please also include how it relates with xy graph and Mc cabe thiele method. Thanks once again :)

[@ChemSurvival]

Thanks for the suggestions and the feedback! Much appreciated!

[@harpindersingh8972]

finally understood what the liquid vapour diagram means. :D thank you so much! :)

[@sohilbhatia7237]

very nice explanation. Studying for a chemistry competition...helps a lot.

[@aniquasitwath7635]

Thank you so much ! The best explanation

[@jeffreywilson4719]

thank you, I finally understand why a longer column is better!

[@danielsandorkovacs3562]

Thank you for the video!

[@amberye8806]

that is very nice to know. thank you for helping me to save a lot of time.

[@telungg]

Thanks so much for this video! Now I understand how fractional distillation works. I have a question: in an azeotropic mixture, we can't separate them using this method. Is it because they have similar partial vapor pressure?

[@Zuberzito]

Amazing explanation. Congrats.

[@MrJohndolson]

Awesome video, very helpful.

[@lonewolferton]

I just wanted to thank you for all the videos. I cant afford college but thanks to your videos I am still able to be your student.

[@vydera2]

Great video, thank you very much!

[@simranjoharle4220]

This really helped.....thank you so much!

[@AnkitaSingh-mq5su]

Thank u so much this video is really helpful.... finally I could figure out what actually is theoretical no of plates... thank u so much

[@ChemSurvival]

Ankita Singh My pleasure. Glad it helped. I remember being so confused about this process as a young student many years ago. Anything I can do to help others make the connections more quickly is very rewarding to me! Don't forget to check out the rest of the channel! kzbin.info

[@miladsammouh4741]

10/10 video. Still think we shouldnt be learning this at 13years old in eighth grade, but this vid helps out a ton. thanks.

[@edmundmarinelli5294]

This was a very nice and clear presentation. Thank you very much.

[@ChemSurvival]

Thanks for watching!

[@greencloud9467]

Very helpful video, thank you so much. :)

[@izzygrandic]

Great video! So helpful.

[@philanintuli817]

This is the best video I've watched that discusses distillation. Quick question: what software did you use for the animations?

[@ChemSurvival]

Hi Cebo. Thanks for the praise. To accomplish most of my videos I use a combination of several programs, including PowerPoint, Sony Movie Studio, Adobe Illustrator, SnagIt and CambridgeSoft's ChemDraw and Chem3D. The main engine for combining all the objects and animations I create is PowerPoint.

[@philanintuli817]

I've just downloaded those softwares...how much do you charge for tutoring sessions?...*fingers crossed*...lol!

[@vigloryhumbless8616]

Very helpful illustration! Thank you so muchhh

[@mahxylim7983]

Thank you! This is super helpful!

[@ChemSurvival]

HI Shane. There are clearly some simplifications in this video which are intended to make it easier to digest. I disagree with your assertion that no vaporization happens in the column. There is a temperature gradient along a fractionating column, so as condensed liquid descends the column it has an opportunity to re-vaporize, thus becoming more enriched in the more volatile component. To say that it is simply refluxing toluene and distilling benzene is also an oversimplification.

[@osalthuduwage3337]

This is really excellent.

[@abdullaayyash]

thanks for share this,the visualization was fantastic

[@sniperdoug1969]

Wow you did a terrific job of describing a thump keg. This has been used by moonshiners for century's.

[@ChemSurvival]

Thanks! I doubt most moonshiners think of themselves as organic chemists, but we have more in common than you might realize. Cheers!

[@ChemSurvival]

How did that work out for you?

[@priscillal.2409]

Very good video! Thank you!

[@mrstratau6513]

Excellent clear explanation.

[@mustakim2144]

Great explanation. Thank you!

[@kaisokaptain]

Finally understand. Thanks so much.

[@eanfoso]

How is the reflux ratio related to the reboiler? Thanks!

[@apophenixplata9839]

Your voice is very relaxing.

[@NavdeepSingh-lw4xw]

great video 👌👌 some high class stuff 👍

[@ChemSurvival]

Thanks! Be sure to like, share and subscribe to help me get the word out about my videos! All the best, Prof. D

[@akbardoosti1132]

so powerful explanation. thanks

[@benblack742]

This is some good stuff thanks bro

[@marcielbuxa]

I am graduated in chemical engineer, but you made it so easier, I should show my teach it.

[@freedomvoice2]

Great job!

[@pablocardella5930]

Man, you are AWESOME!

[@ChemSurvival]

Thanks! I'm glad you liked the video!

[@billgreene5021]

Very good video!

[@user-ek2sk2qn6d]

This is sooooo helpful!

[@KrisEditz29]

Wonderful explanation thanks a lot

[@darciesykes135]

Thank you for the video it was great help

[@prince7zn]

Thanks for this, and plz answer this question, why did we say the benzene will condensed or distilled? why not toluene since it's a mixture? is it because of the boiling point was only 80 not reaching 110? thanks for any help

[@ChemSurvival]

Hi Anxious. There is no water in the jacket around the fractionating column. Reflux condensers are often re-purposed for this task, but NO WATER is used, because a temperature gradient across the column is crucial to proper function. As condensation forms in a higher (cooler) region of the column, it begins to descend and vaporizes again in a lower (hotter) region. Often, columns are packed with inert solid material to maximize surface area on which this process can take place.

[@Phoenix_Atlas]

So I can use an old condenser for this? I have one laying around.

[@ChemSurvival]

@@Phoenix_Atlas I see no reason why not, just as long as you keep in mind the points made above.

[@Phoenix_Atlas]

@@ChemSurvival then would just a long glass tube extending straight up work the same way since you don't pump water through the the condenser chamber?

[@ChemSurvival]

@@Phoenix_Atlas yes. In fact there are specially designed fractionating columns that do not contain the outer jacket at all. I use a Vigreux column much like this one: www.labdepotinc.com/p-64122-distilling-columns-vigreux?gclid=CjwKCAiAxJSPBhAoEiwAeO_fPx7gZ0oAMBNtm9ImDm9HRYYKEIKixVUg43_DKHTvHdP3PE2jSEOYJxoCR8AQAvD_BwE on my setup. Those columns are fine to use as well, although they cannot be re-purposed as a condenser should you find the need for one.

[@Phoenix_Atlas]

@@ChemSurvival that's awesome. All the fractioning columns I've seen are intricate glass pieces that look extremely expensive compared to just a glass tube.

[@RogerTerrill]

Very nice! Thanks so much!

[@luanchagas182]

Hi, which software do you use for making these videos? I loved it

[@abigailbravobenitez1226]

thank you so much! It help me in my virtual lab. :)

[@alannolan3514]

Wonderful. Thank you.

[@krismarcoen864]

so what do you use for cooling?

[@lamiamia8282]

thank you very very much that was super helpful

[@antonellocalc]

Very nice job. thanks

[@DieselRamcharger]

I wish i had a teacher like this guy!

[@ChemSurvival]

Very humbling and flattering to hear. Thanks for watching! I hope you will subscribe, browse my channel and share!

[@drjake6350]

Very nice video! We do that in our laboratory but we have a problem, the condenser get hot when we run the test, so the liquid flows through the condenser, what can I do for it?

[@kgupta101098]

It was a big help...Thnx fr the video.....!!!

[@ChemSurvival]

Glad it was helpful!!!

[@amol415]

SIMPLY AWSOME....

[@alouimed6603]

I am very thinkful you are doing a great job

[@ChemSurvival]

+aloui med :-)

[@qwerty_____146]

Thank you for your video. nice. We can distillation of Ethanol and Methanol?

[@martinusputra7479]

What If we apply to essential oil, can i get the pure componen? What the text book can i reading to that teory?

[@AbujanDiico]

this is a great illustration!! good job ! but i have a question what about the natural progression of the system won't the system raise in temperature to accommodate the loss of the vapour pressure so the liquid can still boil?? and wouldn't that reduce the purity of the vapour gradually containing more of the less volatile liquid?? and how would the plot proceed in a continuous distillation ?

[@ChemSurvival]

YES! That is exactly what will happen! You can see my explanation of it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHetqml8lKpoZtE We usually simplify introductory explanations of distillation by only considering the first moments of the process, when the composition of the boiling liquid has not changed appreciably. However, as time passes, it will indeed become more concentrated in the LESS volatile solvent. This results in a constantly (though not necessarily consistently) changing boiling point for the remaining un-distilled liquid. Please check out the video linked above and share with your friends/classmates/students/teachers

[@AbujanDiico]

ChemSurvival Thank you :)

[@mkamareddine]

Thanks a bunch. A big big bunch!

[@thewanderingchemist5261]

my pleasure!

[@anxious08]

how is there vaportization and condensation occurring in the fractional still? is there a water jacket around the distillation column? is heat being added to the system from the boilup then condensation is occurring of the heavy keys that touches the sides of the fractonation column? please advise.

[@javonfair]

What program do you use to make these simple animations?

[@jhyland87]

Great video! Subscribed & notified :-)

[@df4250]

Brilliant explanation! It's a pity it took me so long to find this. One question though (if you're still around :) ) - With two miscible liquids with significant boiling point differences (as per benzene/toluene), Is there any advantage in warming the fractionating column to the boiling temperature of the benzene (the lower of the two boiling points) to minimise condensation of the benzene in the column and perhaps give it more "encouragement" to reach the top of the column?

[@firebubble5911]

I have the same question but I think if u had a warmer column the faster it would go but it would be less pure because there would be less reflux of the toluene

[@alecallee-munoz1868]

Wonderful animation! It was very hard for me to visualize.

[@clarkewi]

Disclaimer. I live in New Zealand where distilling spirits in the home is not illegal. I have a small still that thru watching your video uses the fractional distillarion mechanism you describe. The "pure" ethel alcohol fraction comes out of the angled column on the right at between 48 and 52C. I have a question:: Do I have to monitor the temperature of the solution being heated that contains both water and alcohol? Or will the alcohol fraction keep the temperature stable in the heated solution until all the alcohol fraction is boiled off?

[@ChemSurvival]

Hi Clarkewi. Even in the best fractional still, the composition of the distillate will change through time. Generally, this change involves increasing concentrations of less volatile components (in your case, more and more water content). So the highest proof spirits (those with the lowest boiling point) should come over first. If you are monitoring the temperature in your still head (the temperature of the vapor above the boiling liquid, not the dripping liquid distillate), you can gauge when it is time to stop your still by looking for a sharp increase in the temperature. This is an indication that the ethanol is depleted from your boiling vessel and now you are just bringing over more water and diluting your distillate. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHetqml8lKpoZtE This video might help you to understand better. If you can monitor the temperature of the vapor in the still-head, you want to try to stay on the lower plateau of the diagrams that I discuss in this video. A healthy still should operate in the mid 70 to 80's of degrees centigrade. Good luck on your (perfectly legal down under) project!

[@yaduk7710]

This is exactly what I wanted

[@ChemSurvival]

Yes. Reflux condensers are often re-purposed as fractionating columns. When this is done, it is critical that NO water be used in the jacket as this will defeat the entire purpose of the column and amount to simply refluxing the mixture. This is a common mistake made by introductory students who don't read the procedure carefully before going into the lab!

[@NadirIdrioui]

Perfect!

[@jesusmrosario-claudio4104]

Thank you once again