Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Friedrichs Condenser : upright for distillation ?

BaFuxa - 24-2-2018 at 14:28

I often use a Friedrichs condenser for distillation. I set it up in upright position but somehow I get the feel that it would make more sense to set it up horizontally with the tip of the finger right at the mouth of the reactor adapter, the incoming vapors would get more surface area.

I checked on a doug's lab video and he uses it upright as well for distillation but I cannot conceive why it is better that way. Something about its design I fail to grasp apparently.

Edit : picture added for clarity.

[Edited on 25-2-2018 by BaFuxa]

DSCN0650-min Friedrichs.jpg - 3MB

aga - 24-2-2018 at 14:40

A Graham condenser should be vertical so the liquid condensate can flow Down.

Stick it sideways and the liquid has to go Up and Down.

A Dimroth or a Friedrich is kinda meant to catch stuff that you could otherwise not recover.

Big Dipper Cold Finger same-same.

Edit:

In any event, if you only have one condenser, that's the one you have to use.

[Edited on 24-2-2018 by aga]

Vosoryx - 24-2-2018 at 17:23

I seem to remember that in graham condensers the vapour flows inside the coil. In fredrich it's opposite, and the coolant travels inside the coils.
A graham condenser wouldn't work, because the liquid would have to move up the coil. But from what I remember about fredrich condensers, I don't see a reason why they couldn't be used as such? Maybe inefficient cooling power perhaps?