The Clevenger apparatus is a device used for extracting and determining the volume of essential oils from plant materials through steam distillation. It is particularly effective for volatile oils that are lighter than water.
The apparatus allows for the separation and collection of essential oils, which are typically immiscible with water, after condensation of the steam.
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1. Steam Distillation:
The Clevenger apparatus utilizes steam distillation, where steam is used to vaporize the volatile compounds (essential oils) from the plant material.
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2. Separation:
The steam, along with the essential oil vapors, is then passed through a condenser, where it cools and turns back into a liquid (condensate).
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3. Collection:
The condensate, consisting of both water and essential oil, is collected in a graduated receiver. Because the oil is typically lighter than water, it forms a separate layer on top of the water, allowing for easy separation and measurement.
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4. Return:
The water, after separating from the oil, is returned to the boiling flask, ensuring a continuous distillation process.
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5. Determination:The volume of the separated essential oil can then be directly measured in the receiver, providing a quantitative determination of the oil content in the original plant material.
