Chapter 2

DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

In this study, the researchers employed an experimental research design. By definition, an

experimental research is an observation under controlled conditions.

The apparatus used in this experiment are as follows:

1 500 mL round bottom flask

1 500 mL distilling flask
1 condenser
2 bent glass tubing
3 iron stands
1 long glass tubing
2 clamps
2 Bunsen burners
1 adapter
2 2-holed corks
1 100 mL graduated cylinder
1 150C thermometer
2 rubber tubing
1 water bath
2 wire gauze
Boiling chips

The reagents used are:

Toluene
Distilled water
Hydrochloric acid

Procedure

The researchers began by setting up the apparatus as shown in Figure 9.1.

 Figure 9.1. Steam distillation setup.

The bent glass tubing was used as a steam delivery tube. A three feet length of glass tubing,

which served as a safety tube, was then inserted in the cork of the round bottom flask (steam

generator) until its end was a few millimeters away from the bottom of the flask. Into the cork of

the distilling flask, a thermometer was also inserted, with its bulb set just opposite the exit tube of

the flask.

Next, 300 mL of toluene was placed in the distilling flask. The flask was then connected

to a water condenser and partly immersed in a water bath heated to about 80C. Distilled water

was added to the steam generator until it was half filled, and heated to boiling.

Once boiling, the generator was connected to the distilling flask without interruption. The

water bath was also removed from under the distilling flask. The researchers regulated the rate of

boiling so that about 2 drops of distillate fell into a 100 mL graduated cylinder per second. The

first 15 mL of distillate was rejected and poured into a residue bottle.

As the distillation proceeded under equilibrium conditions, the distillate was collected by

the researchers until 100 mL had come through. They also recorded the distillation temperature

and respective temperatures for each 10 mL obtained.

 When the layers in the distillate have completely separated, the temperature was again

recorded, as well as the respective volumes. Lastly, the mixtures and the remaining liquid in the

distilling flask were poured into a residue bottle.

ABSTRACT

The objective of this research was to separate an organic liquid (toluene) from a given aqueous

solution by employment of steam distillation. Additionally, the composition of the distillate was

to be determined using a derivation of Raoults Law. Experimental method of research was used

in the study. The data was gathered through observation and through computations. +results and

conclusion