Found 2 items, similar to fractional distillation.
English → English (WordNet) Definition: fractional distillation fractional distillation n : fractionation of a liquid by distillation
English → English (gcide) Definition: Fractional distillation Fractional \Frac"tion*al\, a. 1. Of or pertaining to fractions or a fraction; constituting a fraction; as, fractional numbers. [1913 Webster] 2. Relatively small; inconsiderable; insignificant; as, a fractional part of the population. [1913 Webster] Fractional crystallization (Chem.), a process of gradual and approximate purification and separation, by means of repeated solution and crystallization therefrom. Fractional currency, small coin, or paper notes, in circulation, of less value than the monetary unit. Fractional distillation (Chem.), a process of distillation so conducted that a mixture of liquids, differing considerably from each other in their boiling points, can be separated into its constituents. [1913 Webster] Distillation \Dis`til*la"tion\ (d[i^]s`t[i^]l*l[=a]"sh[u^]n), n. [F. distillation, L. destillatio.] 1. The act of falling in drops, or the act of pouring out in drops. [1913 Webster] 2. That which falls in drops. [R.] --Johnson [1913 Webster] 3. (Chem.) The separation of the volatile parts of a substance from the more fixed; specifically, the operation of driving off gas or vapor from volatile liquids or solids, by heat in a retort or still, and the condensation of the products as far as possible by a cool receiver, alembic, or condenser; rectification; vaporization; condensation; as, the distillation of illuminating gas and coal, of alcohol from sour mash, or of boric acid in steam. [1913 Webster] Note: The evaporation of water, its condensation into clouds, and its precipitation as rain, dew, frost, snow, or hail, is an illustration of natural distillation. [1913 Webster] 4. The substance extracted by distilling. --Shak. [1913 Webster] Destructive distillation (Chem.), the distillation, especially of complex solid substances, so that the ultimate constituents are separated or evolved in new compounds, -- usually requiring a high degree of heat; as, the destructive distillation of soft coal or of wood. Dry distillation, the distillation of substances by themselves, or without the addition of water or of other volatile solvent; as, the dry distillation of citric acid. Fractional distillation. (Chem.) See under Fractional. [1913 Webster]