Fractional distillation

• A fractionating column contains glass beads, which act as surfaces on which vapour leaving the column can condense, then be evaporated again as more hot vapour passes up the column.
• The vapour in a fractional distillation column undergoes several repeated distillations as it passes up the column, permitting better separation of the fractions.
• One advantage of fractional distillation is that it can be used when there is minimal difference in boiling temperatures between compounds.
• Fractional distillation has a similar set up to simple distillation, but has a fractionating column between the heating flask and still head.

  
• One disadvantage of fractional distillation is that it takes longer than simple distillation.