Distillation
is physical process which is used for separating the constituents of a
mixture on the basis of difference in their boiling temperature.
It is used for purifying different types of liquids and solutions,
such as alcohols, water, etc. Distilling apparatus is a type of Distillation equipment that are used to perform different types of distillation process in laboratories. It is also known as Distilling Apparartus.
Parts of a Distillation Apparatus
A Simple Distillation apparatus is a combination of several
lab equipment. Though the
apparatus for different types of distillation require different
combinations, yet more or less they include similar items. A simple
distillation apparatus includes :
- A Condenser : Usually a Liebig condenser or Graham condenser
is used
- A Boiling Flask : A boiling flask is needed for heating the
mixture or solution
- A Conical Flask : A conical flask is used for collecting the
purified constituent.
- A Distillation Column or Fractionating Column : A
fractionating column or distillation column is needed during the
fractional distillation process.
Types of Distillation Apparatus
A simple Distillation apparatus is basically of two types: fractional distillation apparatus and steam distillation apparatus.
Fractional Distillation Apparatus
Fractional distillation apparatus is used to separate the mixture of two or
more liquids, which have close boiling points. Fractional distillation apparatus is a equipment that includes a fractionating column, a boiling flask, a condenser and a distilling flask.
Steam Distillation Apparatus
Steam distillation apparatus is required to separate the temperature
sensitive materials like natural aromatic compounds. Steam Distillation Apparatus is different from simple distillation Apparatus in the sense that the product need not have to be liquid.
Working of a Distillation Apparatus
Here is the pictorial representation of the working of a distilling apparatus. In the distillation flask (a boiling flask), the mixture is boiled to produce water vapour or steam, while other substances remain in the liquid solution. The vapor rises through the top of the flask and pass through the condenser. The water vapor condenses and is collected into the receiving flask (a conical flask).
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