Title: Rotary Evaporator (Rotavap) Effects of Pressure on Boiling Point

Student: Lukmo Billy

Munster Technological University, Cork
Objective Results Discussion
 The practical use of a Rotavap Table 1 presents the following info: The 3 graphs shows that the rate of pressure increases as the temperature
nnn
aims to give an understanding of Pressure Absolute Pressure Temperature of increases. This is due to the temperature being close to the boiling point of
the relationship between pressure Gauge (bar) Pressure (bar) (mmHg) vapour (ºC) water. From the experiment, an observation can be made where the water
and temperature in the following -0.25 0.75 562.5 85 started to evaporate at a temperature of 80ºC. This is proven since at 80ºC,
liquids: tap water and deionized there are a few water droplets present at the wall of the condenser and the
-0.45 0.55 412.5 80
increase in temperature and the increase in temperature caused the volume
water. -0.65 0.35 262.5 73
of condensate to increase and gather at the receiving flask. Besides, at the
-0.85 0.15 112.5 50 end of the experiment the water has evaporated which left only the water
-0.95 0.05 37.5 30 pulp at the evaporation flask. The volume of it is
Table 2 presents the following info:
Absolute Pressure Boiling Point (ºC) Boiling Point (ºC) Boiling Point % Error
Pressure (bar) (mmHg) Experimental from Antoine (ºC)
Equation from Steam
Tables
0.75 562.5 85 91.81 91.7 7.48%
0.55 412.5 80 83.8 83.6 4.31 %
0.35 262.5 73 72.8 72.6 0.55 %
0.15 112.5 50 54.05 53.9 7.24 %
0.05 37.5 30 32.9 32.75 8.39 %

Schematics
Conclusion
 The result for this experiment is shown that when the temperature
Table 3 presents the following info increases, the higher the rate of pressure becomes. The objective for
Sample` Temp(°C) Conductivity (µS/min) this experiment was achieved as the rate of pressure of the tap
water and deionized water is affected by the temperature which
Tap Water 25 Reading 1 Reading 2 Reading 3
have been manipulated.
510 500 510  The main benefits of a Rotavap/vacuum distillation are low boiling
DI 25 0.07 0.1 0.1 points, fast evaporation of solvent, fewer operations and it supresses
Condensate 25 0.2 0.3 0.25 bumping.
References
• Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook.
 Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes”, R. M. Felder and R.W.
Figure.1 presents a labelled diagram of a Rotavap Characterisation results Rousseau, 2005, John Wiley and Sons, USA.