Question

When is it desirbale to seperate components via steam distillation rather than simple distillation?

Answer 1

Distillation is a process used to separate liquids in a mixture based on their relative boiling points. It involves heating a mixture and collecting the vapors or gas that rise from it. Since distillation does not involve the creation or modification of the compounds within the mixture, and it is based on vapor point and volatility, which are physical properties. Distillation is a physical process rather than a chemical one. Steam distillation is a special type of distillation used in temperature-sensitive applications.

Steam distillation is used to distill compounds that are sensitive to heat. Some organic compounds are temperature sensitive, and decompose at the temperatures required for simple distillations; however, by using the properties of immiscible, or unmixable, liquids, distillation can be performed at much lower temperatures. Steam distillation is performed by bubbling hot steam through the mixture to be distilled, and collecting the vapor that results. Using steam to heat the mixture ensures that the temperature of the compounds does not exceed 100 degrees. The collected vapor is then condensed, and the resulting fluid consists of a layer of water and a layer of the compound being distilled. These compounds are separate due to the properties of immiscible liquids, and can be physically separated by decanting or the use of a separation funnel.

Steam distillation is used to separate temperature-sensitive organic compounds such as aromatic substances. It can be used to extract oils from natural products, such as eucalyptus oil, citrus oils, or other natural substances derived from organic matter. For this reason, steam distillation is largely used in perfume and cologne production, as well as the production of some cooking materials.