Application of Distillation Equipment in Alcohol Formation
In the process of alcohol formation, distillation equipment is used to separate alcohol from water. Alcohol has a lower boiling point than water, so when it is heated, the alcohol vaporizes first. When the vapor cools down, it condenses into a liquid with a higher alcohol concentration.
Distillation Process and Equipment
The distillation process in alcohol formation utilizes column stills and pot stills. This process occurs after fermentation is complete in the production of alcoholic beverages.
ACE Copper Alcohol Column Still
Distillation is also used in the production of perfumes, oils, and the purification of water. The process involves boiling ethanol before water since ethanol has a lower boiling point. As a result, the evaporation of ethanol occurs first. Different liquids have different boiling points, which allows for the separation of ethanol and water during distillation.
Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius, while ethanol boils at 78 degrees Celsius. Heating the mixture causes water and ethanol to separate. As the mixture cools and condenses, ethanol and water are collected in different containers due to their different condensation times. The first liquid to condense will have a higher alcohol concentration compared to the initial mixture.
The distilled ethanol is collected in three phases: foreshots (or heads), heart, and tails (or feints). This separation process is known as fractionation. Each fraction contains different levels of congeners. The heads and tails fractions often undergo redistillation due to their high alcohol content and toxicity. The final product is called spirit. Pot still and column still distillation are commonly used in the further distillation process, depending on the type of spirit being produced.
