fractional distillation

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. the separation of volatile components of different boiling points in a mixture by the gradual increase of temperature and the separate collection of each component.

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fractional distillation British  

noun

1. the process of separating the constituents of a liquid mixture by heating it and condensing separately the components according to their different boiling points

2. a distillation in which the vapour is brought into contact with a countercurrent of condensed liquid to increase the purity of the final products

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fractional distillation Scientific  

1. A process by which a chemical compound is separated into components by distillation. In fractional distillation the compound is heated and, as each of its constituent components comes to a boil, its vapors are separated and cooled, so it can be removed in its pure form. Fractional distillation is used to refine petroleum.

2. See also distillation

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Etymology

Origin of fractional distillation

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fractional distillation

Jet fuel is essentially a highly refined form of kerosene with specialised additives, and is usually produced from fractional distillation of crude oil.

From BBC ● May 3, 2026

Nobody who bought Standard Oil stock could explain fractional distillation either.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 28, 2025

The scientist showed me round his lab, including a mini version of the huge fractional distillation columns that tower over oil refineries.

From BBC ● Dec. 27, 2023

Ethylene, C2H4, a byproduct from the fractional distillation of petroleum, is fourth among the 50 chemical compounds produced commercially in the largest quantities.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

The various components are sorted out by fractional distillation and the oil for burning in lamps is selected according to its volatility, viscosity, stability, etc.

From Artificial Light Its Influence upon Civilization by Luckiesh, Matthew