Steam distillation is a special type of distillation (a separation process) for temperature sensitive materials like natural aromatic compounds.
Many organic compounds tend to decompose at high sustained temperatures. Separation by normal distillation would then not be an option, so water or steam is introduced into the distillation apparatus. By adding water or steam, the boiling points of the compounds are depressed, allowing them to evaporate at lower temperatures, preferably below the temperatures at which the deterioration of the material becomes appreciable. If the substances to be distilled are very sensitive to heat, steam distillation can also be combined with vacuum distillation. After distillation the vapors are condensed as usual, usually yielding a two-phase system of water and the organic compounds, allowing for simple separation.
Read more about Steam Distillation: Principle, Applications, Equipment
Famous quotes containing the words steam and/or distillation:
“If Steam has done nothing else, it has at least added a whole new Species to English Literature ... the bookletsthe little thrilling romances, where the Murder comes at page fifteen, and the Wedding at page fortysurely they are due to Steam?
And when we travel by electricityif I may venture to develop your theorywe shall have leaflets instead of booklets, and the Murder and the Wedding will come on the same page.”
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