What is fractioning column?

A fractioning column is a tall column used in distillation processes to separate and purify different components in a mixture based on their boiling points. The column is typically filled with a packing material that provides a large surface area for mass transfer between the rising and falling liquid streams. The process is based on the fact that different substances in a mixture have different boiling points. As the mixture is heated, the substance with the lowest boiling point will vaporize first and rise up the column. As the vapor rises, it cools and condenses on the packing material, then re-evaporates, and the process continues. The condensed liquid is collected in trays called "side draws" at different elevations along the column. The components with lower boiling points are collected at higher elevations, while components with higher boiling points are collected at lower elevations. This separation method is commonly used in industries such as petroleum, chemical, and pharmaceuticals.