Principle of Steam Distillation:
• Steam distillation is used to distil heat-sensitive components by passing steam through the mixture, causing volatile components to co-distil with water at temperatures lower than their boiling points.
Methodology:
Setup: Includes a steam generator, distillation flask, condenser, and collection vessel.
Steam Introduction: Steam is introduced into the mixture, lowering the boiling points of the volatile components.
Co-distillation: The volatile components vaporize along with the steam.
Condensation and Collection: The vapor mixture is condensed, and the distillate (mixture of water and volatile components) is collected.
Uses:
Extraction of essential oils from plant materials.
Distillation of organic compounds that decompose at high temperatures.
Used in the fragrance, flavor, and cosmetic industries.
Merits:
Suitable for heat-sensitive materials.
Can distill components at temperatures lower than their normal boiling points.
Simple and cost-effective setup.
Demerits:
Limited to compounds that are volatile in steam.
Requires a continuous supply of steam.
Separation may not be as complete as other methods.