Alembic

The alembic ( Alambik, Alambique, Alembic, Alembicus ) or Alembic, called in alchemy also Caput Mauri, capitellum, Galea, is a vessel for the separation of substances by heating and then cooling (distillation ). Similarly to the retort, the alembic on a long side leading down pipe through which the distillate can be discharged into a collection vessel. However, the bottom of the alembic is open so that it can be plugged into the actual stills.

History

The invention of the alembic is attributed to the Arabs. The name is derived from the Arabic al - anbiq ( الأنبيق ), which in turn is composed of the Arabic article al and the Greek word ambyx ( ἄμβυξ ) for vessel.

The " Destillatio " was one of the basic methods of medieval alchemy. In the Hermetic writings of the alembic, which served the elixir, the ether or essence of a substance was to distill, as seen a miniature cosmos in which ascend the substances distilled from earth to heaven.

The process of distillation was already in use among the Egyptians and the ancient Greeks for the production of essential oils. If plant parts are initially heated in an open kettle, was spread out on a grid to the wool in a plurality of layers. The rising vapors condensed in the wool layers, and the water -oil mixture could now be pressed out and separated. The Arabs refined this process - probably in the 9th or 10th century - with the invention of the alembic by them installed above the boiler a helmet-like cover with an inner gutter for the condensate. The rising from the heated liquid vapor condensed on the walls of the tower, the condensate collected in the lower edge and flowed through the beak-like spout into a collection vessel from.

Development

In the improved apparatus, a water-cooling was applied. Either the cooling tube was extended and passed through a barrel with cold water or it was at the Alembic a large water bowl. This apparatus was called Moors Head ( Latin: caput mauri ), since the cooling bowl looked like a turban.

Materials

The alembic was made because of the cooling effect, often made ​​of copper, but sometimes also of ceramic or glass. The equipment was to the 19th century in chemical processes used. Similar devices, for example, the pot still in the whiskey production, are still used for distillation of spirits or essential oils.

• Pictures

Alembic of Tabriz, 13th century

Ranbiki from Japan of the Edo period with a water head

Alembic in East Timor