Distillation of Alcoholic Beverages
Distillation of Alcoholic Beverages
Pamela Mallari*, Symon Manuel, Katherine Merene and Charlene Mondelo
Department of Chemistry, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
Abstract
Distillation is a physical process used to separate chemicals from a mixture by the difference in how easily they vaporize. This experiment aims to (1) compare the efficiency of simple and fractional distillation, (2) distill and calculate the % of ethanol and (3) determine the % loss in distillation. Two set-ups were made in the experiment – fractional and simple. The simple set-up was able to separate 45 % of ethanol while the fractional set-up had only 30 %. Though, both set-ups differed in % ethanol, it had an equal % loss of distillation, which equaled to 22.5 %.
Introduction
An alcoholic beverage contains ethanol, commonly known as ethyl alcohol. These beverages are made using a process called fermentation, in which chemical breakdown of a substance is aided by microorganisms by converting grain starch into sugar. This is left to ferment for several days, and then there comes your beer. The same method is used for drinks like whiskey and gin.
On the other hand, distillation is one the oldest but still, commonly used methods for purification and identification of organic liquids. Many organic compounds are volatile; that is, they have relatively high vapor pressures and low boiling points. The difference in how easily they vaporize is used to separate the chemicals from a mixture. As the mixture is heated, the temperature rises until it reaches the temperature of the lowest boiling point substance in the mixture, while the other components remain in its original phase. The resultant vapor will pass into the condenser and is converted to liquid. The other components of the mixture remain in their original phase until the most volatile substance has all boiled off.
The boiling point of a substance is a useful physical property for the characterization of
Pamela Mallari*, Symon Manuel, Katherine Merene and Charlene Mondelo
Department of Chemistry, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines
Abstract
Distillation is a physical process used to separate chemicals from a mixture by the difference in how easily they vaporize. This experiment aims to (1) compare the efficiency of simple and fractional distillation, (2) distill and calculate the % of ethanol and (3) determine the % loss in distillation. Two set-ups were made in the experiment – fractional and simple. The simple set-up was able to separate 45 % of ethanol while the fractional set-up had only 30 %. Though, both set-ups differed in % ethanol, it had an equal % loss of distillation, which equaled to 22.5 %.
Introduction
An alcoholic beverage contains ethanol, commonly known as ethyl alcohol. These beverages are made using a process called fermentation, in which chemical breakdown of a substance is aided by microorganisms by converting grain starch into sugar. This is left to ferment for several days, and then there comes your beer. The same method is used for drinks like whiskey and gin.
On the other hand, distillation is one the oldest but still, commonly used methods for purification and identification of organic liquids. Many organic compounds are volatile; that is, they have relatively high vapor pressures and low boiling points. The difference in how easily they vaporize is used to separate the chemicals from a mixture. As the mixture is heated, the temperature rises until it reaches the temperature of the lowest boiling point substance in the mixture, while the other components remain in its original phase. The resultant vapor will pass into the condenser and is converted to liquid. The other components of the mixture remain in their original phase until the most volatile substance has all boiled off.
The boiling point of a substance is a useful physical property for the characterization of
References: Organic Chemistry Manual (2005, Garcia) http://www2.volstate.edu/chem/2010/Labs/Distillation.html http://www.reference.com/motif/science/difference-between-fractional-distillation-and-simple-distillation http://www.chemistry.sc.chula.ac.th/bsac/Org%20Chem%20Lab_2012/Exp.6[1].pdf