2006-09-30 23:39:15 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Distillation is a method of separation of substances based on differences in their volatilities.
Essentially, any liquid can be distilled by reaching its boling pt.
There are many ways in which a liquid can be distilled. For example:
-Fractional distillation
-Vacuum distillation
-Steam distillation
-Destructive distillation: this one is for solids.
2006-10-01 05:55:33 · answer #1 · answered by zuli 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most liquids can be distilled provided their boiling points are different and they do not chemically react or decompose at the temperatures necessary. (sometimes liquids are distilled under vacuum conditions so that the temperature is lower and decomposition does not occur). One problem that can occur is that due to physical properties liquids in certain concentrations form constant boiling point mixtures known as azeotropes. (one such is ethanol and water which forms an azeotrope at about 96% ethanol and therefore cannot be purified by distillation to above that concentration). Technically one looks for significant differences in relative volatility for a viable distillation process.
2006-10-04 12:59:47 · answer #2 · answered by Robert A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any substance can be distilled as long as two things do not happen. The first is that is it does not decomposes when distilled or at or near the temperature or conditions of distillation. The second is that it does not undergo reactions that convert the material into something else. Many solids at room temperature can also be distilled such as wax.
2006-10-01 15:04:05 · answer #3 · answered by david s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything that can be boiled, cooled and collected is effectively distilled.
Mixed liquids can be seperated by distillation as long as the liquids boil off at different temperatures.
You can also remove disolved solids from liquid solutions e.g. pure water from salt water.
2006-10-01 06:47:29 · answer #4 · answered by Sam J 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Any mixtures of liquids with different boiling points as distillation applies the fact that liquids with different points will vaporise at different temperatures.
An example of this would be in the petroleum industry when different types of oils are separated.
2006-10-01 21:53:24 · answer #5 · answered by Kemmy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
petroleum or crude oil
It is all based on boiling points. There are many layers of crude oil distillation, which is why it needs to be refined, dewaxed, and extracted, and hydrotreated (not all but a combination of some)before it is used. Think about naphthas or gasoline, or diesel fuel, then think about base lubes used in motor oils, then think about asphaltenes. Lighter to heavier
2006-10-01 08:29:53 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any liquid can be distilled if its evaporation point is reached!
2006-10-01 06:47:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A lot depends on the nature of the impurities, whether there is any possibility of the formation of an azeotrope, etc.
2006-10-01 07:19:34 · answer #8 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anything that boils without decomposing. Alcohol (that's how booze is made) gasoline, heating oil, kerosine & many more than I can list here.
2006-10-04 15:55:34 · answer #9 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anything if it reaches a certain boiling point
2006-10-01 08:50:45 · answer #10 · answered by MS.KNOW IT ALL 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋