Distillation for juniors
Posted: 01 Apr 2021, 10:52
Ever since I've been here , we always had this basic air distillation prac for junior classes. It was hopeless .Steam would shoot out the end unless you literally held a match under the flask . At most you'd end up with a few drips of condensate out the end .
[attachment=3]Air_still_1024x1024.jpg[/attachment]
We were against using the quickfit stuff for juniors and as most of our labs don't have suitable hose connections ,using water cooling wasn't an option.
A while back , I found some big old Liebigs in the storeroom . I filled one up with water via a hose and then put a Rubber dropper bottle teat over the hose fitting . A few bits and pieces and success
[attachment=2]old condenser.JPG[/attachment]
I used a bit of hose to connect the Liebig to the flask so there was plenty of safe movement and minimal chance of glass breakage .
The Westlab Unistoppers also have plenty of "give" in them to add extra wiggle-room.
[attachment=1]collection and capped end.JPG[/attachment]
[attachment=0]Fittings.JPG[/attachment]
Teacher used it in class and said it worked a treat . The water in the Liebig jacket had enough cooling capacity to easily run for 10-15 minutes on a spirit burner collecting 20-30 mls of distillate . well and truly enough to demonstrate distillation process .
The teacher said the kids could see and feel the transfer of heat energy and also as the body of water became so hot , she could discuss the idea of using running coolant water to prolong the distillation .
But she said although it worked well , it was large and was hard to fit on the benches .She also said she was nervous that the kids might brake the condensers.
[attachment=3]Air_still_1024x1024.jpg[/attachment]
We were against using the quickfit stuff for juniors and as most of our labs don't have suitable hose connections ,using water cooling wasn't an option.
A while back , I found some big old Liebigs in the storeroom . I filled one up with water via a hose and then put a Rubber dropper bottle teat over the hose fitting . A few bits and pieces and success
[attachment=2]old condenser.JPG[/attachment]
I used a bit of hose to connect the Liebig to the flask so there was plenty of safe movement and minimal chance of glass breakage .
The Westlab Unistoppers also have plenty of "give" in them to add extra wiggle-room.
[attachment=1]collection and capped end.JPG[/attachment]
[attachment=0]Fittings.JPG[/attachment]
Teacher used it in class and said it worked a treat . The water in the Liebig jacket had enough cooling capacity to easily run for 10-15 minutes on a spirit burner collecting 20-30 mls of distillate . well and truly enough to demonstrate distillation process .
The teacher said the kids could see and feel the transfer of heat energy and also as the body of water became so hot , she could discuss the idea of using running coolant water to prolong the distillation .
But she said although it worked well , it was large and was hard to fit on the benches .She also said she was nervous that the kids might brake the condensers.
