Kenneth A. Kobe

The effect of temperature on solubility

Using the solubility curves of different solutes, it is possible to develop a simple method for separating substances. The solubility curves help to determine the temperature at which one salt could be recovered in a pure state from a mixture of salts. This process is called fractional crystallization. It is used extensively to purify salts which are contaminated by small amounts of other soluble species.