The Origins and Process of Distillation
Distillation is a process used to purify or separate liquids by their boiling point. This method contemplates of heating the substance to the temperature where it will evaporate and then having the vapour arrive to a new container were it gets cooled down, turning into liquid again. Although the roots of this method can be traced as far as ancient Babylon, most believe it was during the reign of Alexander the Great in Greece or during the Arab caliphate period that distillation was developed in a very rudimentary way.
Various materials were used during this period to distill fluids. The most common materials were glass and clay. Glass was used because it was able to withstand high temperatures and didnt alter the taste of the liquids. Clay was used because any impurities in the material are removed during the firing process. It was also believed that clay absorbed impurities from the mixture being distilled.
The first documented instance of distillation being used to separate liquids was in Baghdad in 850 BC. A Berber chemist, Abu Musa Jabir ibn Hayyan, described a simple distillation process using two stills, a boiling pot and a receiver. He worked in al-Andalus and Southern France, using glass for his equipment in some of his experiments. During the Middle Ages, after the fall of the Roman Empire, distillation flourished in monasteries and the church. Monks would use it to prepare botanical medicines and alcohols like brandy and early whiskey.
In 1150, Arabian alchemists wrote one of the most influential works on distilling: The Book of The Chemistry of Perfume and Distillations. This book discussed various ways to distill, as well as the best materials to use and distillation techniques. By the 15th century, the use of distillation had spread across Europe and it was being used to make medicines and perfumes, as well as brandy and a variety of alcoholic drinks.
In the late 16th century, Englishman Robert Boyle used a form of distillation in an experiment to measure the relationship between atmospheric pressure and temperature. That same century, alcohol distillation got increasingly popular, particularly in Scotland, where in 1590, the first whisky distillery was founded. From then on, the process improved and became more and more refined, reaching what it is today.
The process of distillation involves heating a liquid which causes its molecules to evaporate. This liquid is then condensed back into a liquid form. This process is used to concentrate or purify liquids, such as essential oils, alcohols, industrial chemicals, fragrances and other volatile liquids. The historical process of distillation involves heating a liquid in a container, usually made of glass, clay or metal.
The heated liquid will then evaporate at a certain temperature and rise into a pipe or outlet on the container. This vapour is then collected in another container known as a condenser which is filled with cold water. When the vapour reaches the condenser, it is cooled and turns back into a liquid. This condensed liquid is then collected in a receiver and is ready for use.
Distillation is an ancient process that has been used for thousands of years to separate components from mixtures and to concentrate liquids. It is a highly efficient and reliable process and is used in many critical laboratories and industries for purifying and concentrating a wide variety of substances. The origins of distillation have been traced back as far as Ancient Babylon, and it continues to be an important tool for modern chemistry, industry, and even food and beverage production.
