Mariya Unnisa Begum, 9-E

Fractional Distillation of Air

Air is a mixture of gases, consisting of gases like nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide and argon,
in different proportions. Fractional distillation is the technique that is used for separating
components of the air.

Each gas has a fixed condensation point, at which it transforms from a liquid into a gas. If you
have a random sample of gases, you can separate them by gradually cooling the sample until
each component gas liquifies. The liquified compound falls to the bottom of a collection vessel.
After all of the liquid has been retrieved, cooling continues
until the temperature drops to the boiling point of the next
compound and it liquifies. Some compounds, such as carbon
dioxide, never liquify. Instead, they turn directly into solids,
which are easier to retrieve than liquids.

Liquefying the air

Air is filtered to remove dust, and then cooled in stages until
it reaches –200°C. At this temperature it is a liquid. The air
has been liquefied. Here's what happens as the air liquefies:

● water vapour condenses

● carbon dioxide freezes at -79°C, and is removed
● oxygen liquefies at -183°C
● nitrogen liquefies at -196°C

How it is separated
The liquid air is then passed through the fractional distillation column. Here, the liquid air is
allowed to warm up. The bottom of the fractionating column is warmer than the top. Each gas
starts to separate at different temperatures according to its boiling point.

Nitrogen has a boiling point of -196 °C while oxygen has -183 °C. The nitrogen gas will start to
escape through the outlet and is collected. And then the liquid oxygen will be collected in the
fractionating column.

References :
https://byjus.com/chemistry/separation-techniques-obtaining-gases/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z3n37hv/revision/2
https://sciencing.com/fractional-distillation-air-7148479.html