How To Build A Fractional Distillation Column

A fractional distillation column allows for a more efficient separation of various components of a mixture of liquids. The practice of distillation is integral in the production of liquor but also is an essential technique in the manufacturing of chemicals. Simple distillation involves the evaporation of a volatile liquid from a boiling reservoir. As the temperature reaches the boiling point of one of the liquids in the mixture, its vapors rise up the column and condenses back into the liquid phase. The benefit of the fractional distillation column is the ability to perform multiple distillations on the vapors as they rise through the filled column. The increased surface area provided by the column filling absorbs some of the heat as the vapor condenses and then vaporizes again as more vapors flow up the column. The condensing and vaporizing process may occur many times before the vapors exit the column and flow down the condenser to condense one final time and exit the distillation unit.

Step 1

Plug the bottom of your distillation column with a small amount of steel wool. This will keep the column fill material from falling out of the bottom of the column and into the pot.

Step 2

Fill the internal volume of the distillation column with packing material to provide greater surface area. Use material that is inert to the compounds in the distillation pot. The greater surface area of the fill material creates a column that generates multiple distillations as the vapors travel up the column to the head of the column. Common fill materials for the column are pieces of copper mesh, steel wool or glass beads. Load the chosen material until it fills at least 75 percent of the column.

Step 3

Place a piece of copper mesh at the top of the fill material and then pack the top with another small amount of steel wool. Make sure the plug at the top will not allow any fill material to fall out of the column.