Distillation Equipment
What is distillation?
Distillation is a process used widely in the laboratory or in wider working environment for the separation or purification of liquids or liquid mixtures based upon the different boiling points of the individual components. Distillation has many applications:
- Separation and purification of miscible liquid mixtures in organic chemistry
- Drying off solid residues and/or solvent removal
- Fractional distillation of liquids from polymers and petroleum products
- Removal of particulates or other solid contaminants
- As part of a water purification system for production of distilled water for laboratory use
- Specialist steam distillation-based applications such as Kjeldahl analysis of nitrogen and proteins in food, beverage or environmental samples
What types of distillation equipment are available?
- Conventional distillation apparatus, typically comprising individual, jointed borosilicate glassware components assembled by the user depending on the application using appropriate clamps, stand and supports. Most conventional distillation assemblies combine a round-bottomed distilling flask to contain and heat the liquid(s) that require purification, fitted with a stoppered or jointed neck to which is attached a downward-sloping, inclined side-arm for connection to a condensing unit to cool the heated vapours back down to their liquid state. Heating mantles are the preferred heat source for improved temperature control. These conventional distillation units are also available supplied complete and ready-assembled for added convenience and ease of use.
- Specialised automated distillation equipment, notably units designed for the determination of volatile acidity and alcoholic strength by volume in wines, musts and alcoholic beverages, and units designed for Kjeldahl nitrogen or protein determinations.
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