fractionation factor
Quick Summary
The term "fractionation factor" in chemistry refers to the ratio of distribution coefficients between two phases for two different substances. This factor, often denoted by (\alpha), is crucial for determining the ease with which substances can be separated from a mixture. A larger separation factor indicates that the substances have significantly different affinities for the two phases, making separation more straightforward. Conversely, a separation factor close to unity suggests that separation will be difficult and require highly efficient methods.1
Fractionation itself is a process of separating a whole into two or more parts or pieces. In chemistry, this can involve separating atoms, molecules, or particles from a mixture. A specialized form of this is superfractionation, used in petroleum refining, which employs distillation with a large number of trays and high reflux ratios to isolate very narrow ranges of components or even pure compounds.23415
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- separation and purificationSeparations based on equilibria
…coefficients, α (sometimes called the separation factor):in which K1 and K2 are the respective distribution coefficients of components 1 and 2. In the above example, α = 10,000. In many other cases, α can be extremely small, close to unity (α is defined such that it is always unity or…
Read More…coefficients, α (sometimes called the separation factor):in which K1 and K2 are the respective distribution coefficients of components 1 and 2. In the above example, α = 10,000. In many other cases, α can be extremely small, close to unity (α is defined such that it is always unity or…
Read More - separation and purificationSingle-stage versus multistage processes
…on the value of the separation factor, α. When this value is large, separation is easy, requiring little input of work. Thus, if α lies between 100 and 1,000, a single equilibration in liquid-liquid extraction is sufficient to separate at the level of 90 percent or higher. This type of…
Read More…on the value of the separation factor, α. When this value is large, separation is easy, requiring little input of work. Thus, if α lies between 100 and 1,000, a single equilibration in liquid-liquid extraction is sufficient to separate at the level of 90 percent or higher. This type of…
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