Fractional distillation of ethanol and water, Apparatus setup, and Process of fractional distillation of alcohol

In this post, we are going to discuss the Fractional distillation of ethanol and water, Apparatus setup, and Process of fractional distillation of alcohol. Since both the liquids are volatile, miscible with each other, and have a difference in their boiling point, ethanol can be separated from a mixture of ethanol and water via fractional distillation. When the mixture is heated in a distillation flask, ethanol which has a low boiling point (78^oC) than water (100^oC) boils faster. Hence ethanol vapor passes into the condenser (the region where vapor is cooled and condensed), collected in a beaker, and hence ethanol gets separated from the mixture. In the cases where most of the ethanol is left out, water vapors at 100^oC and condenses. In this way, the separation of liquid from its mixture takes place.

Process for fractional distillation of ethanol and water

The process of fractional distillation of ethanol and water is discussed below:

1. Load the round-bottom flask with the ethanol-water mixture, then assemble the fractional distillation apparatus by connecting the fractionating column to the flask.
2. To capture the distillate, connect the condenser to the fractioning column and put the distillate-capturing flask underneath it.
3. Heat the mixture to above the boiling point of ethanol (80 degree celcius) using the Bunsen burner under the round-bottom flask.
4. Maintain a consistent temperature in the mixture until the boiling has stopped. You’ve finished distillation at this point.

Apparatus of fractional distillation of alcohol

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