Why is distillation used and what are its purposes?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jnimagine
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Distillation
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Distillation serves three primary purposes: to obtain the purest form of a liquid, to separate components of a mixture, and to produce specific products from raw materials. It is a fundamental technique in various industries, including the separation of crude oil into usable fractions, the purification of water from seawater, and the extraction of gases like oxygen and nitrogen from air. Additionally, distillation has historical significance in the production of alcoholic beverages, enhancing their alcohol content through the separation of ethanol from fermented solutions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic chemistry concepts, particularly phase changes.
  • Familiarity with the principles of boiling point and vaporization.
  • Knowledge of industrial applications of distillation processes.
  • Awareness of the historical context of distillation in beverage production.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the process of fractional distillation in petroleum refining.
  • Explore the methods of water distillation and its applications in desalination.
  • Learn about the distillation of air and its role in obtaining industrial gases.
  • Investigate the historical development of distillation techniques in alcohol production.
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, industrial chemists, environmental scientists, and professionals in the beverage industry will benefit from this discussion on distillation and its diverse applications.

jnimagine
Messages
176
Reaction score
0
What are the three purposes of distillation??

I only know the main purpose of distillation, which is to separate liquid mixture into two or more products with different compositions...

I can't come up with three purposes! :(
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Badly worded question - you have the correct answer.
They probably want three reasons why you want to do that.
eg you want the stuff that comes off, you want the stuff that remains, or you want both!
 
mgb_phys said:
Badly worded question - you have the correct answer.
They probably want three reasons why you want to do that.
eg you want the stuff that comes off, you want the stuff that remains, or you want both!

1. to get the most pure form of liquid?
2. ?
3. ?

??
 
it is a simple method?
 
To identify an utherwise unknown substance by measuring its boiling point?
 
What about making - fresh water from seawater, making whiskey, separating oil components?
 
Commercially, distillation has a number of applications. It is used to separate crude oil into more fractions for specific uses such as transport, power generation and heating. Water is distilled to remove impurities, such as salt from seawater. Air is distilled to separate its components—notably oxygen, nitrogen, and argon—for industrial use. Distillation of fermented solutions has been used since ancient times to produce distilled beverages with a higher alcohol content.
-wikipedia
 
phoenixlo said:
Commercially, distillation has a number of applications. It is used to separate crude oil into more fractions for specific uses such as transport, power generation and heating. Water is distilled to remove impurities, such as salt from seawater. Air is distilled to separate its components—notably oxygen, nitrogen, and argon—for industrial use. Distillation of fermented solutions has been used since ancient times to produce distilled beverages with a higher alcohol content.
-wikipedia

I think he may have handed this asssigment in by now... :biggrin:
 
DaveC426913 said:
I think he may have handed this asssigment in by now... :biggrin:

lol i know that but the course still goes on year after year with the same questions (CHM138) so if anyone in later years comes across this thread looking for an answer to the same question well there you have it:P
 
  • #10
phoenixlo said:
lol i know that but the course still goes on year after year with the same questions (CHM138) so if anyone in later years comes across this thread looking for an answer to the same question well there you have it:P

LOL so true and thanks soo much for the help! :biggrin:
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
11K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
7K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
5K
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
13K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
13K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
8K