Sciencemadness Discussion Board - What is the name for this condenser device?

What is the name for this condenser device?

crestind - 19-8-2015 at 18:24

Trying to find out if there's a specific name for this type of condenser here?
http://i.imgur.com/cC1tmS9.jpg

Reason being I'm losing my mind using tube type condensers due to their poor design.
http://www.mentorials.com/site/monographs/high-school/chemis...

With these modern setups, the condenser can only attach horizontally by means of a joint that bends down. Because the condenser is not the most elevated point in the system, vapors tend to gather in the joint near the thermometer rather than inside the condenser. What should take maybe an hour tops ends up taking multiple times that. It just seems that for basic distillation, old fashioned gear like alembics work so much better.

I've found the name of something vaguely similar, a Hickman head, but it's not the same thing.

j_sum1 - 19-8-2015 at 18:47

I don't know. But in searching I found a femel condenser.
https://hobbychemistry.wordpress.com/2015/04/03/types-of-con...
http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=2473&a...

ave369 - 19-8-2015 at 21:38

I think it's called an alembic. At least, very similar condensers used by medieval alchemists were called such. And, apparently, still are by modern Hermetic kooks (http://crucible.org/pelican.htm).

Upd: yes, definitely alembic. Proper scientists call it that, too. https://www.pelletlab.com/alembic_distillation

[Edited on 20-8-2015 by ave369]

pneumatician - 19-8-2015 at 22:50

this is an alemBEAK in a, in catalan, capitell, cap=head, english capital, the top of a column.
another type is the Al-quatara
http://www.destillatio.de/destille/destille/alquitara/index....

you can find this type of setup of glass in ebay.de

and you also can use an of this without the top joint for ter.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-40-Distillation-adapter-Both-Glas...

more info maybe at www.ambix.org

bye bye miss crestind

j_sum1 - 20-8-2015 at 01:50

You are going to have to explain that last comment. Who the hell is miss crestind? And why are you saying goodbye?

gdflp - 20-8-2015 at 07:08

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1

You are going to have to explain that last comment. Who the hell is miss crestind? And why are you saying goodbye?

Look at the username of the OP.

crestind - 20-8-2015 at 07:36

Not a miss :cool:

Did not realize that this setup was also considered an alembic. Thanks for the info all!

pneumatician - 20-8-2015 at 22:25

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1

You are going to have to explain that last comment. Who the hell is miss crestind? And why are you saying goodbye?

I base this in "projected intelligence" (free public info) + "intuitive intelligence"

but of course you can, at your will, call this "pure shit"

I say bye because I doubt this person return here in a long time.

onother quiz: I post a message "a metal indissoluble in..."
and is deleted? I cannot find in the "chemistry in general" where is post, not in "the short question theaat" no in "detritus", which often go some messages moved by the sysadmins.

Texium - 20-8-2015 at 22:46

That was moved to Beginnings, due to lack of references. The fact that your first instinct is that it was detritus'd seems to say something about you... that's my intuitive intelligence of this situation...

j_sum1 - 20-8-2015 at 23:39

Quote: Originally posted by gdflp

Quote: Originally posted by j_sum1

You are going to have to explain that last comment. Who the hell is miss crestind? And why are you saying goodbye?

Look at the username of the OP.

Ah yes. I should read more carefully. I thought it might be a pop culture reference that flew straight over my head. Apologies.

Alembek condensers. Pelican apperatus. Femel condenser. A lot of interesting things have been devised. I guess there is a reasion that these haven't become standard equipment. Good to know about though -- might be perfect for niche situations or a springboard for novel ideas.

pneumatician - 21-8-2015 at 10:40

Quote: Originally posted by zts16

That was moved to Beginnings, due to lack of references. The fact that your first instinct is that it was detritus'd seems to say something about you... that's my intuitive intelligence of this situation...

lack of references? the question is simple and clear, a metal indisoluble in common acids (read the list), so if it so difficult for you understand the question myself or someone else will clarify.
detritus is the last option optable in the universe board of options,

read carefully and RELAXXX, from detritus like petrol many usefull things born.

chemrox - 21-8-2015 at 12:00

I think it's a Femel. Alembics may have been the design-source for the Femel. I don't like the duct tape in the picture. Are those glassware repairs or grease substitutes?

zed - 21-8-2015 at 12:50

Looks like thay might have jury-rigged that joint.

The condensor looks like it might easily be made by melting around, and depressing the top of a standard boiling flask.....Weld on a tube, turn it upside down, and shazzam....you have your condenser. Except of course, you would have a female, rather that a male joint at its bottom.

In earlier times, a good glassblower could have turned one out for you, in a jiffy....inexpensively too.

In those days, yer average glassblower was also kinda like a priest, he told no tales. And, what you were gonna do with this setup....Well, that was your business!

I don't know what that aspect of the trade is like anymore.

Have things changed?

crestind - 25-8-2015 at 13:41

Not real sure why that person chose to use duct tape. I think they were trying to seal some gasses or something, but it's really overkill.

Quote: Originally posted by zed

In earlier times, a good glassblower could have turned one out for you, in a jiffy....inexpensively too.

In those days, yer average glassblower was also kinda like a priest, he told no tales. And, what you were gonna do with this setup....Well, that was your business!

I don't know what that aspect of the trade is like anymore.

Have things changed?

Not real sure, but all I know is that there's no glassblowers around my area. Glassblowing, amongst other hands on trades, seems to be a pretty rare skill these days.

jamit - 25-8-2015 at 13:55

Does anyone know the identity of this glassware?

careysub - 25-8-2015 at 17:37

Quote: Originally posted by crestind

Trying to find out if there's a specific name for this type of condenser here?
http://i.imgur.com/cC1tmS9.jpg

The Hickman still head used for microscale distillation looks very similar (though much smaller):

http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/aldrich/z278351?...

chemrox - 26-8-2015 at 11:54

It looks like an inverted fraction collector for two small fractions. Usually the joint would be female. It might be something made specially for a project.

j_sum1 - 26-8-2015 at 17:05

Quote: Originally posted by chemrox

It looks like an inverted fraction collector for two small fractions. Usually the joint would be female. It might be something made specially for a project.

Yeah, that's what I thought. It looked to me that it might be a device for collecting a distillate or something in the larger straight portion. Then it could be heated and a fraction condensed in the diagonal side arm. But that would require it to be inverted. The male joint and upside down writing in this orientation has me confused.

Artemus Gordon - 30-8-2015 at 12:38

Quote: Originally posted by crestind

With these modern setups, the condenser can only attach horizontally by means of a joint that bends down. Because the condenser is not the most elevated point in the system, vapors tend to gather in the joint near the thermometer rather than inside the condenser.[/rquote

I don't know much about distillation, but I assume the OP is having problems because the vapors are condensing in the still head rather than in the condenser. Would wrapping foil or some other insulating material around the head solve this problem?