Distillation is a process that causes the physical separation of the components of a liquid. It involves the heating of a liquid to create vapor, and then cooling the vapor to obtain a purified liquid or substance. Distillation is commonly used in various industries, including chemistry, petrochemicals, and the production of alcoholic beverages.
Origin of the term and application
The term distillation originates from the Latin word “distillaire” meaning “to drip down” or “trickle down”. “Distillaire” is thus referring to the process of condensation which occurs when the vapor is cooled and produces a purified liquid. In antiquity, distillation was used to produce essential oils, perfumes and medications. Its use has been traced to Egypt, China and Mesopotamia as early as 2000 B.C.E. Today the process is well-known in the production of alcoholic beverages like gin. It is also used in refining crude oil into gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel.
