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Question: What is the advantage of fractional distillation over simple distillation?...

What is the advantage of fractional distillation over simple distillation?

Explanation

Solution

The selective boiling and subsequent condensation of a component in a liquid combination is referred to as distillation. It's a separation technique that may be used to either boost the concentration of a certain component in a mixture or extract (almost) pure components from it. Distillation takes use of the differences in boiling points of the liquid components in a combination by pushing one of them into a gaseous condition.

Complete answer:
Simple Distillation
Simple distillation entails heating a liquid combination to boiling point and then condensing the vapours instantly. This approach is only useful for combinations in which the boiling points of the liquids differ significantly (a minimum difference of 25oC{{25}^{o}}C). Raoult's rule governs the quality of the distillate (purified liquid).
Fractional Distillation
To separate mixtures of liquids with comparable boiling points, fractional distillation is frequently employed. Several vaporization-condensation processes are involved (which takes place in a fractionating column). This is also referred to as correction. The liquid mixture is transformed to vapours when heated, which ascend into the fractionating column. The vapours have now cooled and condensed on the condenser's walls. The heated vapours from the distillation flask now heat the condensed vapour, resulting in the formation of fresh vapours.
Because it has a fractionating column on the lip of the flask, fractional distillation is more efficient than simple distillation. In the fractionating column, this column has beads and is capable of consecutive condensation and evaporation, referred to as theoretical plates. This increases the surface area available for cooling and increases the effectiveness of separating solutions based on their boiling point differences.
When the component components boil at less than 25 °C, fractional distillation is used to separate them, whereas simple distillation is employed when the difference in boiling points is higher than each other.
A fractionating column is used in fractional distillation to make separation easier. In contrast, no fractionating column is needed in simple distillation.

Note:
Many water purification procedures rely heavily on distillation. This technology is used by several desalination facilities to extract drinking water from saltwater. Distilled water is used in lead-acid batteries and low-volume humidifiers, among other things.
This technique is used to purify a variety of fermented foods, including alcoholic drinks. Distillation is used to make several fragrances and food flavourings from herbs and plants. Oil stabilisation is a form of distillation that lowers the vapour pressure of crude oil, allowing it to be safely stored and transported.