Experiment 2.

STEAM DISTILLATION

Renon, Mike Angel Group 6, HEJ

Tan, Elaine Professor Geoffrey Li
Date Performed:
Date Submitted:

Objectives:

Theoretical Framework:

Distillation is a physical separation technique used for separating liquids. For

liquids that are immiscible, the technique of steam distillation is used.

The main reason why steam distillation is performed is because there are
compounds, especially organic ones, which decompose upon heating or when subject
to high pressure. In this technique, water in the form of steam is introduced because it
lowers the boiling point o the mixture, thus allowing the temperature-substance to
evaporate at a lower temperature, without decomposing it.

The principle behind boiling at lower temperature is because of the fact that
independently, the two components of the solution exert vapour pressure which
increases the total vapour pressure of the system. This is shown as follows:

(Vapor Pressure)total = (Vapor Pressure)organic + (Vapor Pressure)water

When pressure is increased, temperature is lowered, thus separation between

the two liquids at a lower temperature is possible.

Since the vapour pressure of a mixture is an intensive property, it can be

inferred that a constant boiling point will be observed while the distillation is
occurring. However, if the boiling point drastically changes, it can be inferred that the
more volatile compound (organic) has already been separated from the mixture.

Since the organic compound and water are distilled in a definite ratio, one can
compute for the composition of the vapour using:

o
n P
A
= o
A

nB PB

In the industry, the process of steam distillation is used to measure essential

oils such as eucalyptus oils and orange oils. It is also used for sprayable mayonnaise,
cheese and cream in the food industry.

Answers to Guide Questions:

1. Give the advantages of using steam distillation in the recovery of an organic

liquid from a mixture.
The advantages of using steam distillation are as follows:
First, it can be used for immiscible liquids.
Second, it can be used for temperature-sensitive compounds, such as organic
substances.
Third, it is a relatively cheap technique because it does not require expensive or toxic
reagents. It only needs the distillation set-up and water.

2. Is it possible to carry out steam distillation at a temperature higher than 100

degrees Celsius at 1 atm? Why?

One cannot perform steam distillation at the given temperature and pressure because
water is a component of the system, and it is required that the boiling point of the
mixture be lower than that of the components.