Fractional distillation, also known as fractionation, is a widely used separation technique in the chemical industry. It is a process that involves the separation of components in a mixture based on their different boiling points. This method is particularly useful for separating components with boiling points that are close to each other. The concept of fractional distillation was first introduced by the chemist Thomas Graham in the 19th century, and since then, it has become a fundamental technique in various industries, including petroleum refining, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. The process of fractional distillation begins with a feed mixture, which is introduced into a heated column, commonly known as a distillation column or fractionating column. This column is typically filled with packing materials, such as trays or random packing, which help to increase the contact time between the rising vapors and the descending liquid, thus enhancing the separation efficiency. As th...