Separation Techniques

Separation Techniques

1. Simple Distillation

   • Used to separate solvent from the solute
     • Separate solvent is the distillate.

2. Fractional Distillation

   • Used to separate two or more miscible liquids.
     • Miscible: liquids that can dissolve into each other.
       • The liquid with the LOWEST boiling point will be distilled out first.
         • Glass beads in the fractionating column provide a large surface area for vaporization and condensation of the liquid mixture.

3. Separating Funnel

   • Used to separate immiscible liquids
     • eg Oil and Water
       • Higher density liquid is drained out first, followed by lower density liquid

4. Dissolution-->Filtration--->Crystallisation/Evaporation to Dryness

   • Used to separate a mixture of two solids.
     • One of the solids must be soluble. e.g Salt and Sand

5. Chromatography

   • separating two or more components that dissolve in the same solvent.
     • eg. Separating dyes in food colouring
       • The chromatography paper with the separated components is a chromatogram
         • Can be used to:
           • Separate components in a sample
             • Identify components in a sample
               • Identify substances
                 • Determine whether a sample is pure