Simple Distillation: A Test on the Amount of Ethanol Present in Vodka
By: Morales, Michah A. Ogsimer, Juk Rances F. Pacia, Carissa Jenelle Y. Panganiban, Aean Genesis R. Rabang, Maika I.
2B-Medical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas
ABSTRACT
Distillation is a technique in separating two liquid components. There are two types of distillation used in this experiment known as the simple and fractional distillation. The objective of this experiment was to be able to determine the amount of Ethanol in the given Alcoholic beverage known as Vodka by using the Simple Distillation Method. The group added 15 mL of Vodka in the distilling flask and heated it in a circular motion using an alcohol lamp and collected them in 10 test tubes labelled with a 0.5 mL mark. The first 0.5mL was obtained at 84°C and the last at 100°C. They then tested its flammability using the first 0.5 mL, which tested flammable, and the last 0.5 mL collected, testing inflammable. The computations from the data gathered, shows us 13.3% EtOH, a proof of 26.7% EtOH and 30% loss.

INTRODUCTION
In this experiment, each group was to use the types of distillation in order to separate the components of an alcoholic beverage known as Vodka. What is Distillation? And what are the two types of distillation used in this experiment?
Distillation is a process of converting liquid to vapour, condensing it, and collecting the distillate in another container. It is used to separate components in a liquid mixture with different boiling points and is also used to purify liquids.
The two types of distillation are known as the Simple Distillation and the Fractional Distillation. In this experiment, the group was assigned to use the Simple Distillation method in separating the components of vodka. Simple Distillation is a process to which two liquids with different boiling points can be separated. This procedure can be successfully used in separating the components of two liquids with unlike boiling points.
The objectives of this experiment is (1) the groups to be able to differentiate the two types of distillation namely the Simple Distillation method and the Fractional Distillation method (2) To be able to separate the components of vodka and (3) To be able to calculate the percentage of how much ethanol is in vodka.
METHODOLOGY
Before beginning the experiment, groups first prepared all the materials needed such as a simple distillation set-up, alcohol lamp, boiling stones and vodka.
The group prepared a simple distillation set-up, which is to be used in order perform the said experiment. They then prepared 10 test tubes with a 0.5 mL marking on each and are numbered accordingly. 3 pieces of boiling stones were put inside the distilling flask and then 15 mL of vodka was added into the distilling flask.
The alcohol lamp was then used to heat up the distilling flask with vodka by a continuous rotation of the lamp until the vodka starts to boil. The heat was rotating so that it was not concentrated to one part of the flask and that it wouldn’t get too hot. The temperature of the first drop of the distillate was recorded. Each member of the group then collected 0.5 mL of distillate in each calibrated and numbered test tube and in every 0.5 mL collected, the temperature was recorded. This was done until the temperature reaches 100°C or when it produces 3 consecutive readings that is higher than 95°C.
After collecting all distillate in a test tube, 3-5 drops of the first collected distillate and the last collected distillate were placed in two separate watch glasses. The group member then tested its flammability by using a lit match and the results were observed by the group and were recorded.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

TABLE 1 Temperature in every 0.5 mL of distillate collected.
After the distillation of vodka, all the data were gathered and were summarized. Room temperature of the vodka was 31°C. The first drop was collected at 80°C and was discarded since it may contain water stuck inside the condenser before the experiment started. The first 0.5 mL of distillate was shortly collected after the first drop at 84°C. The collections of the distillates were fast as the temperature also rose fast. The next came at 86°C, then 87°C and then 88°C. Ethanol was still present from 84°C up until 88°C wherein 2.0 mL of the distillate was already collected. The temperature then raised to 90°C, then to 93°C, 94°C, 95°C, and 98°C. The last distillate was collected at 100°C.

FIGURE 1 Volume vs. Temperature: Graph showing the relationship of the components of TABLE 1.
The Results were then computed and showed that the %EtOH is 13.3%, proof of 26.7% and a %loss of 30%. These were obtained using the following formulas and solutions:
1] %Ethanol=volume of distillate volume of sample×100% %Ethanol=2.0 15×100% %Ethanol=13.3%
2] proof=26.7%
3] %Loss=v.sample-(v.distillate+v.residue)v.samplex 100% %Loss=15.0-(5.0+5.5)15.0x 100% %Loss=30
The flammability of the first distillate and the last distillate were tested by using samples from it and lighting each sample with a match. The first distillate tested FLAMMABLE meaning Ethanol was present, while the last Distillate tested INFLAMMABLE which means that only water is left in the sample.

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