FRACTIONAL CRYSTALLIZATION Meaning and
Definition
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Fractional crystallization is a process that involves the separation and purification of different chemical compounds or elements by exploiting their varying solubilities at different temperatures. It is a commonly used technique in chemistry and geology to isolate a specific substance from a mixture, particularly in the field of mineralogy.
During fractional crystallization, a solution (often a magma or a mixture of minerals) is gradually cooled, causing the compounds within it to precipitate out and form crystals. The different solubilities of the components lead to the formation of distinct crystal phases, which can be collected and separated. This method takes advantage of the fact that each substance has a specific solubility curve and temperature at which it crystallizes.
The process involves multiple stages of cooling, where crystals are initially formed and separated. The remaining liquid is then heated again to dissolve any remaining solids until eventually, the desired substance is obtained in a purified form.
Fractional crystallization is used extensively in the mining and mineral processing industries to extract specific minerals from ores. It also plays a crucial role in the production of various chemicals and pharmaceuticals, helping achieve purity and high-quality compounds.
Overall, fractional crystallization is a separation method based on the temperature-dependent solubility of substances, allowing for the purification and isolation of desired components from mixtures by generating distinct crystal phases.
Etymology of FRACTIONAL CRYSTALLIZATION
The word "fractional" derives from the Latin word "fractus", which means "broken" or "divided". It is related to the verb "frangere", meaning "to break". "Crystallization" comes from the Latin word "crystallus", meaning "crystal", and is related to the Greek word "krystallos". In the context of the term "fractional crystallization", "fractional" refers to the separation or division of different components, while "crystallization" indicates the formation and growth of crystals.
