Distillation Apparatus Setup

This is an illustration of what your apparatus should look like when setting up a distillation. Sometimes a test tube will be used to collect the distillate instead of a beaker.

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Equipment Needed

• Beaker (1 or more, depending on the number of components in the mixture)
• Liebig Condenser (1)
• Thermometer (1)
• Distilling Flask (1)
• Utility Clamps (2, minimum)
• Ring stand (2)
• Rubber tubing (2, 16"-24" length each)
• Bunsen burner and tubing (1)
• Rubber stopper or cork, one-hole (2)

Setup

1. Attach a utility clamp to each ring stand.
2. Carefully insert the flask sidearm into a one-hole stopper or cork. Use a twisting motion with gentle pressure. Protect your hands with paper towels, and use water or glycerin to lubricate the sidearm. 1 cm or less of the sidearm should stick out of the stopper when finished.
3. Attach the distilling flask to one of the mounted utility clamps. Place the jaws of the clamp below the sidearm of the flask. Adjust the height of the clamp and flask to leave enough room for the Bunsen burner.
4. Carefully insert a thermometer into a one-hole stopper or cork. Use a twisting motion with gentle pressure. Protect your hands with paper towels, and use water or glycerin to lubricate the thermometer. Place the stopper in the opening of the flask's neck. Adjust the level of the thermometer so that the bulb is the same height as the flask sidearm.
5. Attach the Liebig condenser to the second mounted utility clamp. The angle of the clamp will need to be adjusted so that it matches the angle the flask sidearm makes with the flask neck.
6. Adjust the height of the condenser utility clamp and move the condenser ring stand so that the opening of the condenser column is even with the sidearm stopper.
7. Insert the sidearm stopper into the opening of the condenser column and ensure that there is a snug fit.
8. Attach one length of rubber tubing to the lower condenser jacket sidearm. The other end of the rubber tubing should be placed over the nozzle of the lab sink.
9. Attach the second length of rubber tubing to the upper condenser jacket sidearm. The other end of the rubber tubing should be placed into the sink to allow the condenser water to drain.
10. Place a beaker underneath the spout of the condenser to collect the distillate.
11. Attach a Bunsen burner to a gas jet, and adjust the tubing so that the burner sits safely beneath the distilling flask.