Steam Distillation

Principle of Steam Distillation:

• It is used to distil heat-sensitive components by passing steam through the mixture, causing volatile components to co-distil with water at temperatures lower than their boiling points.

Methodology of Steam Distillation:

1. Setup: Includes a steam generator, distillation flask, condenser, and collection vessel.
2. Steam Introduction: Steam is introduced into the mixture, lowering the boiling points of the volatile components.
3. Co-distillation: The volatile components vaporize along with the steam.
4. Condensation and Collection: The vapor mixture is condensed, and the distillate (mixture of water and volatile components) is collected.

Uses:

• Extraction of essential oils from plant materials.
• Distillation of organic compounds that decompose at high temperatures.
• Used in the fragrance, flavor, and cosmetic industries.

Merits:

• Suitable for heat-sensitive materials.
• Can distill components at temperatures lower than their normal boiling points.
• Simple and cost-effective setup.

Demerits:

• Limited to compounds that are volatile in steam.
• Requires a continuous supply of steam.
• Separation may not be as complete as other methods.

Thank you for reading from Firsthope's notes, don't forget to check YouTube videos!