Fractionation Research, Inc. (FRI) is a non-profit research consortium supported by memberships which include many of the largest petroleum, chemical, and engineering companies in the world. It was founded in the 1950's to engage in research that was too expensive for any one company. That research includes the only independent commercial scale distillation experimentation program operating with hydrocarbon systems at pressures ranging from deep vacuum to 500psia. The current membership of over 70 companies includes many leading companies in the field of distillation. Over 60% of the membership is international.