Question

Why is a condenser used in the distillation process?

Answer 1

Hint: It is used in reflux chemical reactions. Condenser is a unit or device used for the condensation process. It is also used in different separation methods.

Complete answer:
Condenser is a cooling unit used in the distillation process.
Distillation is a separating technique used to separate two liquids based on the difference between the boiling points of the liquids present in the mixture.
In the distillation process preferential boiling takes place i.e. the liquid with less boiling point, boils and raises up as the vapors and the vapors are cooled by condensation.
Condensation is a process in which the temperature of the vapors are lowered below their boiling temperature and it cools and forms the liquid droplets which are collected in a separate flask.
The liquid obtained through distillation is called distillate.
Through the distillation process we can separate and purify mixture of liquids, based on the difference in their boiling point.
And to cool these vapors the condensing unit is used which is called as a condenser is fitted in the distillation unit.
The condenser is also used in the reflux reactions in which the liquid is heated to a specific time and the vapors are continuingly cooled back to the liquid form and return back to the reflux flask. For cooling the vapors back to liquid droplets the condenser is fitted.
Hence we can say that the main aim of the condenser is to cool the vapors, release heat to the surroundings and collect the liquid back through the condensation process.
The picture of distillation unit with a condenser fixed with the unit is given below,

Additional Information:
There are mainly three types of condenser used –air cooled condenser, evaporative condenser and water cooled condenser.
In an air-cooled condenser it uses ambient air for the cooling process, whereas in a water cooled condenser we attach the tube given in the condenser to a water connection, the water will cool the vapors. And in evaporative condensers the vapors are cooled through the evaporation process, which happens while we spray water on the exterior surface of the refrigerant tube.

Note: A condenser has a separate column through which the air and water is sprayed to cool the vapors. A condenser consists of an additional tube other than the two connect with the distillation unit. The third tube is connected to an external agent like a water system for the condensation process.