Conure
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Distillation, downsides of using conical flask?
I'm about to buy some distillation glassware and I wonder if there's any downside to using a conical flask over a round one. All videos of
distillation on youtube shows round flasks, which requires a heating mantle or an oil bath.
I have a hot plate and I'm planning to make and distill nitric acid by NurdRage's method of using Ca nitrate and oxalic acid.
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Sir_Gawain
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I’ve used a conical flask for distillations before, and the only downsides I can think of is that they can’t be used for vacuum distillation, and
you can’t fill them as full when distilling nitric acid or the salt cake could break the glass when it solidifies.
You mentioned Nurdrage; he mostly uses conical flasks.
“Alchemy is trying to turn things yellow; chemistry is trying to avoid things turning yellow.” -Tom deP.
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Rainwater
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Pros and cons: rbf
Pros:
more surface contact for heating with hot air, flame or mantel
Less implosion risk under vacuum
Easy to fill half way
Stir bar will always find its way back
Percipitate doesnt get stuck in the corners where the scrapper cant reach
Can have more than one opening.
Can be easier to deal with foam issues
Greater surface area to distill with(when filled no more than half full)
True mad sciency look.
Cons:
hot plate incompatible
Can not be sat down on table.
Guaranteed to break when dropped, every angle is a corner
Size is not really standardized. Varys by make model and neck count.
For the pros and cons of a conical flask are the opposite
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Sir_Gawain
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For clarification:
The salt cake has nowhere to expand, and can break the flask.
“Alchemy is trying to turn things yellow; chemistry is trying to avoid things turning yellow.” -Tom deP.
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Conure
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I apreciate your effort! 
Fire is good. Fire is life.
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