2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16
The first mention of the distillation process can be attributed to the 1st millennium BC. Aristotle is one of the first scientists to fully describe this technology. Later, various alchemists from all over the world were engaged in this process. You can find references to the distillation of alcohol among many peoples who use raw materials from grapes, sugar cane, apple juice, plums and much more. Egyptian alchemists made a significant contribution to the development of distillation. They were of the opinion that, thanks to distillation, a "soul" could be extracted from wine, and in Russian terminology "spiritus" was simplified to the word "alcohol". Below we will talk about this phenomenon and find out what it is - distillates.
What is distillation
From the Latin language it means "draining drops". This technology is nothing more than the distillation of a liquid, as a result of which it evaporates, turning into vapor when cooled after contact with air. Distillation is divided into 2 types:
- With steam condensation inliquid.
- With solid state condensation.
Thus, distillates are the resulting liquid or solid (otherwise it is called residue), resulting from condensate. In addition, distillation is divided into simple and fractional. In the first option, this is a continuous withdrawal and evaporation of the liquid, and the second method involves distillation at different temperatures, and each withdrawal goes to a separate flask.
To carry out this process, the main elements are needed:
- heated closed container (cube, container);
- drip eliminator (pipe to eliminate splash entrainment);
- refrigerated condenser (refrigerator);
- condenser in the form of a heat exchanger (pipe in pipe);
- steam line (or coil) connecting both elements;
- receiving capacity.
What is distillation used for
This is necessary when there is a need to separate the liquid into several fractions or separate from impurities. This applies to essential oils, water, hydrosols, flower water, alcohol and the oil industry. It is important to remember that safety is the key to the progress of the distillation.
Ordinary drinking water is subjected to this technology to purify it. As a result, we get clean water without various impurities. S alts, metals, microorganisms, sand, etc. settle in a cube heated with a liquid. And the distillate condensate is free from these additives.
But the most popular reason for distillation is alcoholdistillation. As a result, an alcohol product is obtained. It turns out that such alcohol-containing drinks are distillates.
Stages of technology flow
In simple terms, to obtain the final alcohol-containing product, it is necessary to carry out technology in 3 stages of liquid evaporation.
In a tightly closed (hermetic) container, a mash (alcohol-containing base) is placed, which, when heated, begins to condense when passing through the coil. The first (or "head") evaporation fraction is the lightest and contains methyl alcohol. It is impossible to inhale and drink it, since it produces severe intoxication, from which they go blind and die.
The second fraction (or as it is also called "middle distillate") - ethyl alcohol, it is he who is the purpose of alcohol distillation. In the end, ordinary water drips from the coil, almost devoid of alcohol, but it contains heavy metals (butanol and isopropanol), which are also poisonous, but not like methanol - they carry a severe hangover. This fraction is called "tail". The process is stopped when the distillate stops burning.
It turns out that the "golden mean" of alcohol - distillate is the goal of obtaining an elite alcoholic beverage. For example, cognac, armagnac, calvados, scotch and irish whiskey, spanish and portuguese brandy, mexican tequila and many others are made using this traditional alcohol distillation technology.
Distillate is not just a purified liquidfrom impurities, this is the preservation of taste. A feature of distillation is that it is impossible to completely get rid of impurities due to the volatility of the components. But it is precisely because of this quality that alcoholic beverages retain their unique aromatic taste. For example, if a 100-year-old Scotch whiskey is subjected to rectification (more accurate separation of fractions, purer alcohol), then it will taste no different from vodka.
Gas condensate distillate (DHA)
This is a clear liquid that is formed as a result of the distillation of natural gases and does not dissolve in water. They include gasoline, kerosene fractions without resinous substances. In other words, it is a product of oil refining. It is used as a diesel fuel or solvent in the paint industry.
These distillates are divided into light, medium and heavy DHA. The most popular of them is used in the oil industry in the form of additives in the production of gasoline, fuel, it is light DHA.
Medium distillate is close in composition to winter diesel grades. Heavy - these are the residual distillation fractions and are used in process plants, boiler houses as fuel.
Use and transportation of DHA
Petrochemical distillate is an explosive and explosive substance. Transportation of the substance is carried out in compliance with the strictest safety requirements in sealed containers made of anti-corrosion coating.
From himsome types of polymeric materials are also produced, with appropriate chemical purification and stabilization of the distillate. And also in the production of additives with a high octane number and acts as a raw material for the synthesis of olefins. Works great on grease stains on machinery and acts as a solvent in the paint industry.
In conclusion about distillates
A distillate is a product obtained as a result of a physical and chemical process called distillation. The technology is simple, but requires safety and clear implementation of sequential actions. Many factors influence the course of processes; it is worth distilling only if you have special knowledge and skills.
