Simple Distillation Experiment

What is a Simple Distillation Experiment?

Simple distillation separates components from their liquid mixtures based on their boiling point differences. In this method, the mixture to be separated is heated and then cooled using a water condenser. The condensed vapours are then collected from the outlet of the condenser tube. 

In this way, different components are collected at different boiling temperatures. When the mixture’s components differ widely in their boiling points (more than 25 °C), this method is most suitable for their separation. The liquid obtained after condensation is called distillate and can be easily collected in a beaker or conical flask.

Diagram:

Aim of Experiment:

To separate a mixture of two miscible liquids by simple distillation.

Apparatus and Material Required:

• Distillation Flask 
• Laboratory Thermometer (-10 °C to 110 °C) 
• Condenser
• Two Beakers (250 mL)
• Tripod Stand
• Wire Gauze
• Single Bore Cork
• Burner
• Iron Stand

Materials:

A mixture of Water and Acetone

Procedure:

• Step 1: Place the tripod stand and the wire gauze over the burner. 
• Step 2: The distillation flask should be kept on the tripod stand and clamped to an iron stand. 
• Step 3: Now seal the flask using a single bored cork. Insert a laboratory thermometer into the bore of the cork to measure the temperature while boiling the liquid. 
• Step 4: Insert the distillation flask arm into a condenser attached to an iron stand. 
• Step 5: The inlets and outlets of the condenser should be properly attached to the water pipes. 
• Step 6: Place an empty beaker below the open end of the condenser. 
• Step 7: Heat the mixture of acetone and water slowly and carefully monitor the temperature rise. 
• Step 8: Observe and note the temperature at which the first component of the mixture distils out; that is, the vapours get cooled and collected in a beaker kept at the other end of the condenser. 
• Step 9: Continue heating and observe and note the temperature at which the second component distils out. 

Precautions:

• The thermometer bulb should be at the arm of the distillation flask to prevent any erroneous reading. 
• The distillation flask should be sealed tightly using the cork to prevent the escape of vapours. 
• The condenser should be supplied with a continuous flow of cold water. 

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