High Quality Products Can Be Purchased.
You are here: Home » News » What Is Distillation? Chemistry Definition

What Is Distillation? Chemistry Definition

Views: 2     Author: Site Editor     Publish Time: 2022-01-13      Origin: Site

Key Takeaways: Distillation

Distillation is the process of separating the components of a mixture based on different boiling points.

Examples of distillation uses include purification of alcohol, desalination, crude oil refining, and production of liquefied gas from air.

Humans have used distillation techniques in the Indus Valley since at least 3000 BC.


Distillation Definition

Distillation is a widely used method for separating mixtures based on differences in the conditions required to alter the phases of their constituents. To separate a mixture of liquids, the liquids can be heated to force components, which have different boiling points, into the gas phase. The gas is then condensed back into liquid form and collected. The above process is repeated for the collected liquid to improve the purity of the product, which is called secondary distillation. Although the term is most commonly used for liquids, the reverse process can be used to separate gases by liquefying components using temperature and/or pressure changes.

The factory where distillation is carried out is called a distillery. The device used to perform distillation is called a still.


History

The earliest known evidence of distillation comes from a clay distillation apparatus dating from 3000 BC in the Indus Valley of Pakistan. The Babylonians of Mesopotamia are known to use distillation. Initially, it was thought that distillation had been used to make perfumes. Distillation of beverages happens much later. Arab chemist Al-Kindi distilled alcohol in 9th century Irag. Distillation of alcoholic beverages has been common in Italy and China since the 12th century.


Uses of distillation

Distillation is used in many commercial processes, such as the production of gasoline, distilled water, xylene, alcohol, paraffin, kerosene, and many other liquids. Gases can be liquefied and separated. For example: nitrogen, oxygen and argon are distilled from air.

219

Copper alcohol distillation equipment


Distillation Type

Types of distillation include simple distillation, fractional distillation (where different volatile "fractions" are collected as they are produced), and dry distillation (usually, material is heated to break down into compounds that are collected).


Simple distillation

Simple distillation can be used when the boiling points of the two liquids differ significantly from each other or when the liquids are separated from solid or non-volatile components. In simple distillation, the mixture is heated to change the most volatile components from liquid to vapor. The vapor rises and enters the condenser. Typically, the condenser is cooled (eg, by flowing cold water around it) to facilitate condensation of the collected vapors.


Steam distillation

Steam distillation is used to separate heat sensitive components. Steam was added to the mixture to allow it to partially evaporate. This vapor is cooled and condensed into two liquid parts. Sometimes fractions are collected separately, or they may have different density values, so they separate themselves. An example is the steam distillation of flowers to produce essential oils and water-based distillates.


Fractionation

Fractional distillation is used when the boiling points of the components of the mixture are close to each other, as determined using Raoult's Law. Fractionation columns are used to separate components, using a series of distillations called rectification. In fractional distillation, the mixture is heated, causing the vapors to rise and enter the fractionation column. As the vapor cools, it condenses on the column packing. The heat of the rising vapor re-evaporates the liquid, moving it along the column, ultimately yielding a higher-purity sample of the more volatile components of the mixture.


Vacuum distillation

Vacuum distillation is used to separate components with high boiling points. Lowering the pressure of the equipment will also lower the boiling point. Otherwise, the process is similar to other forms of distillation. Vacuum distillation is especially useful when the normal boiling point exceeds the decomposition temperature of the compound.


PAY ATTENTION TO US
Facebook
Twitter
Google
LinkedIn
Instagram
DEGONG DTR
Brewery - Chemicals - Chocolate - Cosmetics - Pharmacy - Industry - Agriculture - Food - Dairy
  • Whatsapp
    Fax: +86 186 1518 5568
  • Email
    info@degonget.com
  • Phone
    Toll Free: +86 531 58780867