Distillation

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to the distillation process, equipment, and requirements for separating mixtures.

Distillation

A process for separating a homogeneous mixture of miscible liquids by heating the mixture until the liquid with the lower boiling point vaporises and then cooling the vapour back into liquid.

Miscible liquids

Two liquids that form a homogeneous mixture and can be separated by distillation if they differ sufficiently in boiling point.

Minimum boiling point difference for distillation

The requirement that liquids in a mixture must differ in boiling point by at least about $25\,^{\circ}C$ to be separated by this method.

Condenser

A component in the distillation set-up where vapours are cooled, usually by circulating water or air, and condensed into a pure liquid.

Distillation flask

The container where the mixture is heated and where the solid or the higher-boiling liquid remains after the process is complete.

Pure liquid

The substance collected in a separate vessel after being vaporised and then cooled in the condenser.