Fractional crystallization
Encyclopedia
Fractional crystallization may refer to:
- Fractional crystallization (chemistry)Fractional crystallization (chemistry)In chemistry, fractional crystallization is a method of refining substances based on differences in solubility. If a mixture of two or more substances in solution is allowed to crystallize, for example by allowing the temperature of the solution to decrease, the precipitate will contain more of...
, a process to separate different solutes from a solution - Fractional crystallization (geology)Fractional crystallization (geology)Fractional crystallization is one of the most important geochemical and physical processes operating within the Earth's crust and mantle. Fractional crystallization is the removal and segregation from a melt of mineral precipitates; except in special cases, removal of the crystals changes the...
, a natural process occurring in igneous rocks during which precipitation of minerals takes place