How to Separate Sand
Sand (silicon dioxide) is practically insoluble in water and many organic solvents. This property should be used to separate sand from a mixture provided that the other component is soluble in the solvent. The strategy involves dissolving the mixture in water or another solvent followed by the solution filtration. As an example, consider the separation of sand and sodium chloride (table salt) using water.
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Instructions
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Weigh the salt/sand mixture on a scale or obtain this information elsewhere. For example, the mixture weight is 200 grams.
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Navigate to the solubility table using the link in resources or consult the reference to obtain solubility of the salt in water at 20 or 25 degree Celsius. In our case, solubility of the sodium chloride (NaCl) is 35.9 g per 100 ml of water at 20 degree Celsius
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Estimate the volume of water to be used with the formula.
Volume (water)=100 ml x mixture mass (grams)/solubility(grams). Then round up the result to tens.
In our example, volume (water)=(200/35.9)x100=557 ml. Round it to tens to obtain 560 ml. -
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Pour the calculated water volume into a metal pan.
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Put the salt/sand/ mixture in the water and stir for one to three minutes with a spoon. You would see the sand on the bottom of the pan.
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While continuing stirring heat the water for three to five minutes to warm the solution to approximately 50 degree Celsius to ensure that the soluble component completely dissolves.
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Insert a regular coffee filter into a funnel and slowly pour the solution through. Ensure that the filtered solution containing is collected into another container. The sand should remain in the filter. This is complete the separation.
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To recover the soluble component from the solution you can simply leave the solution in the open pan to let water naturally evaporate. To accelerate the process you can also boil water out.
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