Explore the Distillation Setup Lab
Assemble a full distillation apparatus, fix thermometer and cooling-water mistakes, heat carefully. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Distillation Setup Lab with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Distillation Setup Lab?
Assemble a full distillation apparatus, fix thermometer and cooling-water mistakes, heat carefully, and read the boiling-point plateau as you separate two liquids. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Distillation produces drinking water, fuels, spirits and perfumes, and separates chemicals in industry.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
The liquid with the lower boiling point vaporises first.
The vapour is cooled in the condenser and collected as distillate.
The thermometer stays near the boiling point of the component that is currently boiling — but only if its bulb sits at the vapour path, not in the liquid.
Heat a 40% ethanol mixture slowly and watch the temperature plateau.
Deliberately misplace the thermometer and see the warning.
Heat too hard and see the bumping advisory.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Chemistry Labs learners
Students preparing for practical exams and teachers who want a virtual lab.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Distillation Setup Lab on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Deliberately misplace the thermometer and see the warning. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
How does distillation separate two liquids?
By heating the mixture until the lower-boiling liquid turns to vapour, then cooling that vapour back to a liquid in a separate container.
What is the difference between simple and fractional distillation?
Fractional distillation adds a column that repeatedly condenses and re-evaporates, so liquids with close boiling points can be separated better.
Why does the thermometer position matter?
The thermometer bulb must sit where vapour is leaving for the condenser, not in the boiling liquid, or it will read a misleading temperature instead of the true vapour (boiling) point.
Is the Distillation Setup Lab free to use?
Yes. The Distillation Setup Lab is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Chemistry Labs group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Distillation Setup Lab work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Distillation Setup Lab takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 3 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
More free tools
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Try the Distillation Setup Lab now
Assemble a full distillation apparatus, fix thermometer and cooling-water mistakes, heat. Free to use.
Try it free