To separate a mixture of alcohol (ethanol) and water, you can use a process known as fractional distillation. This technique relies on the fact that the compounds in the mixture have different boiling points. Since ethanol boils at a lower temperature (78.5 degrees Celsius, or 173.3 degrees Fahrenheit) than water, the alcohol vaporizes while most of the water remains a liquid. A good distillation column will produce a mixture of 95 percent alcohol and 5 percent water. This ratio represents the most pure form of ethanol possible with distillation and is widely accepted as an industry standard.
- Bunsen burner
- Round-bottom flask
- Distillate-capturing flask
- Fractionating column
- Condenser (such as Liebig condenser)
- Thermometer
Use protective glasses during the procedure. Have a fire extinguisher nearby as a safety precaution.
Pour the ethanol/water mixture into the round-bottom flask.
Assemble the fractional distillation apparatus by attaching the fractioning column to the round-bottom flask. Attach the condenser to the fractioning column and place the distillate-capturing flask under it to capture the distillate.
Place the Bunsen burner below the round-bottom flask and heat the mixture to above the boiling point of ethanol (about 80 degrees C).
Maintain the mixture at a constant temperature until the boiling has ceased. At this point, you have completed distillation.
Things You'll Need
Warnings
References
About the Author
Yasho Raval began writing professionally in 2010. He has co-authored an article for the University of Wisconsin at Madison's Engineering Design magazine titled "Lighting the Third World." Raval is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry and math at the University of Colorado.
Photo Credits
Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images