Determination of the Percentage Ethanol from Gin Vodka by Simple Distillation Method

*CRUZ, R.A. P. DAJI, A. M. DE OCAMPO, Y.A. C. DE PABLO, D.L. E. DUNCA, C.A. S.

Abstract
This experiment was carried out to determine the difference between fractional and simple distillation and to get the percentage of alcohol in a certain beverages. The simple distillation was assigned to the group. At the beginning of the experiment, each member was assigned to a task so that it will maximize the time to finish the experiment. Each member was demand to give their own contribution for the task that they are assigned. After the experiment, the first and last test tube was kept for flammability test. The percent of alcohol determines the percentage of ethanol found in the beverage, while percent loss ascertains the amount of sample lost while doing the experiment. At the end of the experiment, every member of the group cleaned and returned the setup.

Introduction
Distillation is a method of separating mixtures based on differences in their boiling points. Distillation is a unit operation, or a physical separation process, and not a chemical reaction. Commercially, distillation has a number of applications. It is used to separate crude oil into more fractions for specific uses such as transport, power generation and heating. Water is distilled to remove impurities, such as salt from seawater. Air is distilled to separate its componentsnotably oxygen, nitrogen, and argonfor industrial use. Distillation of fermented solutions has been used since ancient times to produce distilled beverages with higher alcohol content. The premises where distillation is carried out, especially distillation of alcohol are known as a distillery. [1] In simple distillation, all the hot vapors produced are immediately channeled into a condenser that cools and condenses the vapors. Therefore, the distillate will not be pure - its composition will be identical to the composition of the vapors at the given temperature and pressure, and can be

computed from Raoult's law.[2] For many cases, the boiling points of the components in the mixture will be sufficiently close that Raoult's law must be taken into consideration. Therefore, fractional distillation must be used in order to separate the components well by repeated vaporization-condensation cycles within a packed fractionating column. This separation, by successive distillations, is also referred to as rectification. [2]

Objectives
1. To separate the ethanol from the alcoholic beverages sample 2. To determine the percentage of ethanol and percentage loss of the beverages 3. To determine the difference between simple an fractional distillation

Methodology
The experiment required a sample of vodka beverages and a simple distillation set up because it is the distillation assigned to the group. This form of distillation separates components through a simple process of

evaporation and condensation. Simple distillation is possible due to different boiling point of components in a mixture. [3] The first step of experiment was in need of preparation of materials. This involves; putting a set-up of the simple distillation and labeling and calibrating test tubes to 0.5mL the will be used to receive the distillate. In preparing the distillation set-up, three members of the group get all the materials and it involves, two iron stands, one support the condenser and the other one holds the quick fit distilling flask, under it is the alcohol lamp, above the flask is thermometer and on its distal portion is the attachment of condenser. On the end of condenser most proximate to the distilling flask is the water outlet, while the projection on the other side is for the water. As you see in figure 1. [3] [4]
Figure 1

sample is the process to determine if there is a presence of ethanol in the distillate. Having the presence of the flame gives an idea that there is an ethanol in the distillate. [3][4]

Results and Discussions

Temperature vs. the Volume of distillates
Table 1 Volume (mL) 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 4.5 5.0 5.5 6.0 6.5 7.0 7.5 Temperature (C) 80 85 86 88 88 88 89 89 90 90 93 94 95 96 98

The content of the first and last distillates was tested for flammability. Both distillates produces flame and it means that the distillate collected contains ethanol. For computations the formula: Vf - Vi
% ethanol = x 100

After the preparation of the apparatuses needed, the flask was filled with 30mL sample of vodka with several pieces of boiling stones. The alcohol lamp was lit up and directly placed below the distilling flask. It is very important to record the temperature of the first drop until the last drop of the distillate. The group stopped collecting distillate as soon as the temperature reached 98C. [3][4] Posterior to the experiment performed. Test for flammability was performed. This test requires a source of flame (match), watch glass, the first and last distillate. Placing 5 drops of the distillate and lighting up the

Vs 3.0 0.5
= x 100

30
= 8.33 % ethanol

The group was able to derive 8.33% of ethanol.

References
1. Conceptual and functional chemistry by Echel Simon Antero & Marie Jessica B. Alumaga 2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distillat ion#Simple_distillation 3. Organic chemistry manual 4. www.cemistry.com