Fractional distillation uses differences in boiling points to separate mixtures of miscible liquids into their component parts. It works by heating a liquid mixture so its vapors rise up a fractionating column, where they condense on trays and run back down, with the most volatile vapors reaching the top. Only the vapors that remain gaseous to the top exit through a condenser to be collected as a distilled liquid. Fractional distillation is used to purify organic compounds and separate substances like acetone and water and is effective though it can be energy intensive and contribute to pollution.