Fractionating column
= Fractionating column
{wiki}
A <fractionating column> provides contact between rising <vapor> and returning <liquid> during <fractional distillation>. Packing or trays provide contact area; the resulting separation depends on both <vapor-liquid equilibrium> and the actual flow and exchange between the <thermodynamic phases>.<Distillation by Hong Kong University of Science and Technology>[Introduction, paragraphs 3–4]{ref}