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Author: Subject: Where can I get a good distillation set-up?
crazyboy
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[*] posted on 9-2-2008 at 10:06
Where can I get a good distillation set-up?


Well the title pretty much says it all. I want a good glass distillation set up with all the equipment (condenser boiling and receiving flask thermometer etc) for as cheap as possible. Any ideas? Where did you get yours? I don't need a really fancy one with vacum adapters or super efficient oil condenser just a full standard set up. What do you suggest?


Thanks in advance.




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chemrox
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[*] posted on 9-2-2008 at 21:20


UTFSE

I guess you're new here. We like it when members use the resources they have first and then ask questions. First use Google and that should lead you to all kind of resources. I see disillation kits sold on ebay all the time. I do better buying component parts. What is this for? Just distillation? If so what? My ether stills use long internal coil condensers. Solvent recovery through Friederick condensers. Routine distillations of volatile products through simple fractionating setups. I'm having a short path condenser made for high boiling vacuum distillation of relatively small amounts. For separating materials close to each other in bp I'd set up a proper fractional distillation with a Podbielnak column (can't afford a spinning band) having a partial takeoff head. Rght now I kind of fake it with a distillation head that has cold-finger above the take-off. I use Snyder columns, packed Hempel columns and heated Vigeraux columns at various times for different things. I'm no expert either. Articulate your desires, chemically speaking, do what you can to answer your own questions and come back with specific issues as they arise.




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crazyboy
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[*] posted on 10-2-2008 at 10:12


Sorry I didn't look very hard. I have found some but none exactly what I want I would think a graham condenser would be more efficient then a west condenser but is it really necessary (will a west condenser work just as well?



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chemrox
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[*] posted on 11-2-2008 at 08:06


Please read my remarks- I have no idea what you're distilling. It rather depends you know?



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crazyboy
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[*] posted on 11-2-2008 at 15:59


Well I was looking for the most versatile setup so I could purify benzene, distill nitric acid, separate alcohols etc.



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crazyboy
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[*] posted on 11-2-2008 at 17:34


I understand what you are saying that there is no "one size fits all" set up however would this be a good basic distillation set up that would work for a variety of simple distillations? Or is it a bad choice or otherwise limited in its abilities?





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[*] posted on 11-2-2008 at 17:45


Personally, I would consider that a rather limited setup. I would recommend a plain old standard taper setup (probably 24/40 for you, I prefer 19/22). With the normal setup you have the advantage of being able to add components later to improve fractioning, allow addition, introduce a gas, etc.

Here's a diagram of a basic set up that can be expanded for almost any distillation, reaction, extraction, or whatever else you can think of:

<img src='http://designer-drugs.com/pte/12.162.180.114/dcd/chemistry/pictures/sdist.setup.gif' />

[Edited on 2/11/08 by bfesser]
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crazyboy
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[*] posted on 11-2-2008 at 18:16


I can find almost everything in that picture with detachable 24/40 ground glass joints. I was just wondering what type of clap is used around the seals and if they are necessary. Also the best condenser I have found only has a drip end (no joint just a thin glass tube) could I just use that then have it drip into a receiving flask instead of being connected to it with joints? Also just out of curiosity how to you pump in or out the water in the condenser? An aquarium pump?



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PainKilla
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[*] posted on 11-2-2008 at 21:22


If you are looking to do the basics, I would recommend the following:

http://cgi.ebay.com/19-22-Chemistry-Kit_W0QQitemZ37002179363...

The glass is high-quality, and that kit contains everything you need to keep you satisfied for a few months, if not years.

As chemrox said, it really depends on what you want to do with it, but as a general all-around kit, that's what I'd get.

Or buy it piece-wise - that kit just saves you the hassle. The glass is Pyrex/Kimax.

[Edited on 12-2-2008 by PainKilla]
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crazyboy
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[*] posted on 11-2-2008 at 22:19


Thank you very much PainKilla! I am thinking about buying that set-up and separately buying a better condenser (Graham) but it will be 24/40 so i can also buy two adapters one reducing one enlarging so i can fit that setup with a better but different sized condenser.



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PainKilla
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[*] posted on 11-2-2008 at 22:23


To be quite honest, I don't see any point in having a Graham condensor. I have *never* used one, or done anything in which a simple West couldn't be used in place of the Graham.

19/22 also tends to be cheaper, although you can't get some of the more complicated devices without having them specially made. Still, I really wouldn't worry about it, especially if you are just starting out.

I'd worry more about getting a good hot plate/stirrer, vacuum, etc etc...

What do you need a Graham for anyway?
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chemrox
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[*] posted on 11-2-2008 at 22:38


I have two Graham condensers for volatile solvent recovery. I can no longer afford to buy anhydrous ether by the five gallon drum. I have to buy 20 L of technical grade and dry it myself. The ether still uses a Graham to good effect.

@Painkilla-This is a really good buy. You should get one of the kits linked by Painkilla. If you'd searched ebay and used Google you would have found these too. The joints can be sealed with Teflon grease for vacuum distillations. I use Teflon tape to keep them from getting stuck. I also like Kleck clamps as a precaution against runaway gear since I'm usually by myself. Kleck clamps help with gas pressure too.

@Bfesser-that is the most versatile setup .. the one I use 75% of the time. Add a short column for fractional distillation and you'd cover 97% of the situations you'd be likely to encounter.

[Edited on 11-2-2008 by chemrox]




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