fractionating column

Laboratory apparatus for fractional distillation. Fractional distillation is the main means of separating the components of crude oil.

Device in which many separate distillations can occur so that a liquid mixture can be separated into its components. The technique is known as fractional distillation, or fractionation.

Various designs exist but the primary aim is to allow maximum contact between the hot rising vapours and the cooling descending liquid. As the mixture of vapours ascends the column it becomes progressively enriched in the lower-boiling-point components, so these separate out first.