Fractional distillation is a method for separating the various components of the aqueous
mixture that have different boiling points through the application of heat. Pure ethyl alcohol boils at a temperature of 173 F while water boils at 212 F [19]; thus, alcohol is more volatile. Any mixture of alcohol and water will boil at a temperature within this range; the higher the alcohol content, the closer the boiling point will be to 173 F. As heat is applied to an aqueous alcohol solution, the percentage of alcohol content in the vapor will increase while the percentage of alcohol in the condensate will decrease