Steam Distillation Equipment In Brief

By Imelda Reid


Distillation is the process of separating liquids based on the difference in their boiling degrees. Steam distillation refers to a process of separating temperature sensitive materials. Materials that are separated by steam distillation equipment break down at high temperature and are insoluble or slightly soluble in water. They do not have to be liquids at room temperature, for instance the isolation of caffeine from the green tea.

Principle of Operation to lower the boiling point of the material to be separated, water is added to the vapor distillation apparatus. This lowers the temperature allowing the materials to evaporate without decomposition. Many times, pressure is reduced to lower the temperatures in the distiller even further. After distillations, condensation follows.

The steams distillations units are commonly designed in stainless steel and at times in borosilicate glassware to reduce the possibilities of breakage to zero. It is designed in such a way that the distillation process including the solvent extraction is performed in a similar unit whether at atmosphere or under higher pressure unlike in glass.

Steam may be generated in two ways. External steams distillations is whereby vapor is passed into the apparatus through a water tap. In an external vapor process, hot water is incorporated into the flask producing an internal steam source. The benefits of this method are that it is fast and the operator has more control.

This processing tool has various components depending on the scale of production and also the substance to be distilled. However, the components can be generally divided into three groups. The first is a steam generator whereby vapor is produced through heating by an external source of heat. The second part is the distiller whereby the process of distillations takes place. The thirds is the receiver and condensation which bears a calibrated receiver and water based condenser.

Separation of important oils by use of Steams distillations is an ideal way to separate oils of importance from plants like rosemary, lavender and lemonade grass due to product not required to have presence of liquid like in the simple distillation process. When aromatic herbs are separated by this process, there are usually two resulting compounds; essential oil and watery herbal distillate. The essential oils are used in making of perfumes and also in aromatherapy. The distillates which are usually watery are used in making of soaps, lotions and other skin care products, food processing and also in aromatherapy.

Some of the companies which use these types of machinery in their production activities are the petroleum refineries and petrochemical plants. In these industries, the method is popularly called steam stripping. Their functions extend to fatty acids, soaps and other organic valuables.

When handling the gadgets, ensure you put in mind of necessary precautions. Make sure that there are no leakages as it can lead the machinery having a lower output. Wearing protective gears will be essential to ensure that you are safe from hot surfaces, hot steam and also emitted fumes that could be hazardous. Ensure that you check on the ability and price of your ideal gadget plus also the convenience of acquiring the machines.




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