CHE 311 "Steam Distillation"

Your lab report should follow the format and consist of the following:

Title (be specific)

Your Name

Date

Section Number (CHE 311-0X)

1. Introduction:

• Purpose of Experiment
• Important theory and/or background material
• Structures and/or reactions
• Approproate references to literature (if necessary).

A brief introductory discussion, in your own words, of the physical principles involved in the distillation of a liquid.

2. Methods / Materials: Usually a simple list, but make sure it is accurate and complete.

3. Experimental Procedure:

• Describes the process in chronological order
• Explain all of the steps in the order they actually happened, NOT as they were supposed to happen.
• If you've done it correctly, another researcher should be able to duplicate your experiment.

The Experimental section, in which you describe in your own words the procedure you have carried out. A tabulation of the volume and temperature measurements must be presented. The atmospheric pressure at the time of the distillation, if known, should be noted as well.

4. Results and Discussion:

• Results are usually dominated by calculations, tables and figures; however, you still need to state all significant results explicitly in verbal form.
• Discussion focuses on a question of understanding, "what is the significance or meaning of the results?".

5. References and Post-Lab Questions:

a) What properties must a compound have in order to be steam distillable?

b) What properties do non-steam distillable compounds have?

c) When would you use a steam distillation as a method of separation and purification?

d) Define Dalton’s Law.

© Dr. Noel Sturm 2014