The present invention relates to a system and a process for obtaining phenanthrene of about 95% purity from coal tar distilled fraction containing crude phenanthrene by performing fractional distillation at a reduced pressure of 50 mm mercury and at a temperature range of 160-180.degree. C. to obtain first distilled fraction containing acenaphthene and fluorene; a second distillate fraction at a temperature range of 200-230.degree. C. containing phenanthrene, anthracene and traces of carbazole; followed by re-distilling the second distillate fraction at a temperature range of 210-224.degree. C. to finally obtain pure phenanthrene and a residue which is again used for the recovery of residual phenanthrene by re-distillation at a temperature range of 210-224.degree. C.