Mass Transfer

Q1: In steam distillation, the

A temperature is 100°C.

B temperature is more than 100° C.

C product must be immiscible with water.

D temperature is higher than the boiling point of either component.

ANS:C - product must be immiscible with water.

In steam distillation, the statement "product must be immiscible with water" is inaccurate. Let me correct and provide an explanation: In steam distillation, the product being distilled does not necessarily need to be immiscible with water. Instead, steam distillation is commonly used to separate volatile compounds, particularly those that are heat-sensitive or have high boiling points, from both water-soluble and water-immiscible components. Here's how steam distillation works:

  1. Introduction of Steam: Steam is introduced into the mixture containing the components to be distilled. The steam heats the mixture and volatilizes the desired volatile compounds.
  2. Vaporization and Entrainment: The volatile compounds are vaporized by the steam and entrained with it as it moves through the mixture. The steam carries the volatile compounds along with it, effectively lowering their boiling points and facilitating their separation from the mixture.
  3. Condensation: The steam and the entrained volatile compounds move into a condenser, where they are cooled and condensed back into liquid form. The condensed liquid, known as the distillate, contains the separated volatile compounds.
  4. Separation: Since the volatile compounds have been carried along with the steam, they are separated from the non-volatile or less volatile components in the mixture. The distillate collected typically consists of a mixture of water and the volatile compounds, which can be further separated using techniques such as solvent extraction or fractional distillation.
In summary, steam distillation is effective for separating volatile compounds from mixtures, regardless of whether they are water-soluble or water-immiscible. Therefore, the product being distilled does not need to be immiscible with water for steam distillation to be effective.
 



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