Distillation Technology

The distillation technology includes all the technical instruments which are needed for the accomplishment of a distillation. Its scope ranges from simple instruments for experiments to high-precision equipment for laboratories. Distillation is a thermal separating process that is used to separate mixtures of substances, which are soluble in each other. The separation of a mixture of substances is only possible if a diverse composition of the fluid and the vapour is given. The most important condition for a distillation is that the single components have different boiling points. In the fractional distillation, for example, the original mixture is gradually heated to the boiling points of the individual components and is then contained in different containers. Applications for the distillation technology can be found in every part of life, e.g. the winning of petrol by distilling crude oil or for the production of potable water by distilling seawater. The most common application of distillation technology is the production of alcohol. Here, the distillation is used to gain pure ethanol out of wine with a maximum alcohol content of 15 %. Below, you will find a list of the various procedures used in distillation technology. If you can't find the chromatography equipment you are looking for, please contact us and we will help you find the best solution which suits your needs: UK customers +44(0) 23 809 870 30 / US customers (561) 320-9162. Our technical staff will advise you regarding our products. Our engineers and technicians will be happy to help you with the chromatography equipment, and of course, with the other products in the field of regulation and control, measuring instruments or scales and balances of PCE Instruments Ltd.

Vacuum distillation
During vacuum distillation, the pressure in the distillation equipment is reduced. Because of this reduced pressure, the boiling temperature of the mixture, which is supposed to be separated, is lowered. The positive effect is that other components, which are not sufficiently temperature-stable, can be distilled as well. In the application of distillation technology, the vacuum distillation is almost only used in laboratory practice.
Molecular distillation
Molecular distillation is a distillation which is accomplished in the medium vacuum range (1 – 0,001 mbar). In this method of distillation, the distance between pattern and condenser is very small, which leads to a short distillation phase. This procedure is one of the most gentle, thermal separating processes, by what it is very useful for thermal sensitive products. The low pressures and the little distances demand a great deal of the distillation technology.
Overpressure distillation
During overpressure distillation, the pressure inside the equipment is increased and due to the increased pressure, the boiling points of the individual substances are moved apart. This procedure is used to separate substances with a very low boiling point, e.g. liquid gas.
Towing distillation
During towing distillation (steam-towing distillation), water is vaporized and the fugitive, water-insoluble substance is towed.
The main field of application for this distillation technology is the winning of ethereal oil.