Distillation Lab Report

Simple and Fractional Distillation

Bryce Ohly

Organic Chemistry Mount Mary University

October 2nd, 2016

Abstract

These experiments show the process of distillation through a simple and fractional distillation of a 50/50 mixture of ethanol and water and a fractional distillation of 60 ml of an unknown mixture of two substances. The purpose was to become accustomed to the apparatus and thermometer as well as to be able to declare the composition and contents of the unknown mixture. The results from this experiment were inconclusive.

Introduction

Distillation can be defined as the technique surrounding the transformation of a liquid to a vapor which is then latterly condensed returning it to a liquid. In a chemistry lab, distillation can be used to separate and or purify mixtures. It is also seen in the conversion of salt water to fresh water. Commercially we see it in gasoline as it is distilled in order to separate it from crude oil. This report covers both simple and fractional distillation. Simple distillation is usually used for mixtures containing components with wildly varying boiling points. Simple distillation is achieved by the use of a still containing a liquid which is heated followed by the use of a condenser to cool the newly created vapor, and something to contain the distillate. The liquid with the highest volatility or lowest boiling point will go through the distillation process first. In this method, the distillation vapors are condensed and vaporized multiple times in a vertical column. This was done in order to obtain a close proximity between the upward momentum vapor and the downward momentum liquid. This makes it possible for only the most volatile liquid to move forward as vapor, with this process often being called rectification. Examples of these apparatuses can be seen in figure 1.

This experiment had a central purpose aiming to familiarize the experimenter with the process of distillation and the apparatus used. This...