Simple distillation
Simple distillation is a single stage distillation where a liquid mixture is boiled and the resulting vapor condensed. Wiped film and short path distillation are examples of single stage distillation. Simple distillation can provide a moderate improvement in purity. It is useful in situations where you are attempting to separate compounds with very different boiling points. Think of distilling water to remove salt.| Short Path Distillation – Simple Distillation | |
 The vapor has a higher purity than the boiling liquid. The increase in purity is equivalent to one stage of evaporation and condensation.
Short path and wiped film are both single stage distillations (simple distillation). |
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| The condensed distillate has the same purity as the vapor above the boiling liquid. The total increase in purity is only a single stage. |  |
Fractional Distillation
Fractional distillation starts out the same as simple distillation. Crude extract is boiled. This single stage produces vapor with moderately higher purity than the starting liquid (crude extract). So far it's the same as short path or wiped film. Once the vapor enters the fractional distillation column such as a spinning band column, the magic begins. The spinning band distillation column creates additional stages of separation inside it by increasing vapor/liquid contact. In the case of spinning band distillation, the rotating band dynamically forces the vapor and liquid together. The spinning band pumps the higher boiling components back into the boiling flask and allows the lightest components to pass through. These additional stages of separation is what drives the ability to produce such high levels of purification. Fractional distillation, and especially spinning band, is capable of making difficult separations. Some terpenes have boiling points that are close to that of THC and CBD. Spinning band has the ability to remove these terpenes which cause odor, bad taste, and color.| Spinning Band Distillation – Fractional Distillation | |
| One stage of separation occurs in the boiling flask. The vapor has a higher purity than the liquid. |
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 5-10 more stages of separation take place in the Spinning Band Distillation column.
Each stage of separation increases the purity of the vapor. |
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