What is the purpose of a Fractionating Tower?

• A. Separate Feed into Several Components with Multiple Product Draws
• B. One Product Only
• C. Bypass the Feed Entirely
• D. Convert Liquids to Gas

Answer: (A)

A fractionating tower is a distillation column used to separate a feed into several components by differences in boiling points. Inside, heat turns the feed into vapor that rises through trays or packing, while heavier, higher-boiling components tend to condense and drain back downward. As the rising vapor meets the descending liquid, components separate into fractions based on volatility. Lighter fractions, with lower boiling points, are drawn off higher up or at the top, while heavier fractions are taken from lower sections. This setup yields multiple product streams from a single feed, rather than a single product.

So, the tower’s purpose is to create several distinct products from one feed, using boiling-point differences. It’s not about bypassing the feed, converting liquids to gas, or producing only one product.