Fractional Distillation

of Ideal Liquid
Mixtures
Learning Outcomes

• Interpret the boiling point-

composition curves for mixtures
of two miscible liquids in term of
ideal solution.
 Boiling Point-Composition Curves for Ideal Solution

• The vapour pressure-composition curves are important

when considering the conditions necessary for separating
liquids in a liquid mixture by distillation. For this purpose,
the vapour-pressure composition curve at constant
temperature is converted to boiling point-composition
diagram at constant pressure.

• A high vapour pressure corresponds to a low boiling point

and vice versa. Hence, the boiling point-composition curve
and the vapour pressure curve have the same shape except
that they are reversed.
• The vapour pressure-composition curve and the boiling point-composition curve
for methanol-water mixture are shown below.

• Notice that the liquid curve in the first figure is not a straight line because
methanol-water mixture deviates slightly from *ideal behaviour = non ideal
solution
 Non ideal solution
• Non ideal solution is a solution
that does not obey Raoult’s Law

*Azeotrope = A mixture of liquids that has a

constant boiling point because the vapour
has the same composition as the liquid
mixture
 Fractional Distillation of Ideal Solution

• The most efficient method for separating an ideal solution into its pure components is
by using a fractional distillation by using a fractionating column. This process of called
fractional distillation.

a) The fractionating column is a long tube filled with

gas beads or short pieces of glass tubing. The
fractionating column provides a large surface area
where combined liquid and ascending vapour can
have maximum contact.
b) The length of the fractionating column is largely
determined by the difference in boiling point of
the component to be separated; the smaller the
difference, the longer the column needed to
achieve a good separation. = to allow efficient
separation.
• If a liquid with composition C1 (richer in component B) is heated, the liquid will
boil at T1. The vapour in equilibrium with the liquid is W1, which is richer in
component A as compared to C1.
 In the Fractionating Column

• If this vapour is condensed when coming into contact with the cold surface of the
fractionating column, the liquid produced will have composition C1.

• When the condensed liquid (C2) comes into contact with the ascending vapour, it
will boil at T2 to produce a vapour, W2 which is richer in the more volatile
component, A than C.

• If the vapour is condensed, the liquid with the composition C3 is produced.

• By repeating the process of vaporisation-condensation, the composition of the

vapour produced becomes richer in component A, the more volatile component,
that is, the component with the lower boiling point. Finally, pure A is distilled over
and the residual liquid is left is pure B.
 In the Distillation Flask

• When distillation is continued, the liquid remaining in the distillation flask

becomes richer in B, the component with the higher boiling point.

• As a result, the temperature of the liquid mixture in the distillation flask rises
during distillation.

• Finally, when the temperature reaches the boiling point of B, the liquid distilled
over is pure B.
Thank You