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Microscale Distillation Apparatus
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Microscale · Microscale Distillation Apparatus

Microscale Distillation Apparatus

Micro Distillation Flask · Micro Condenser · 14/10 Standard Joint

The microscale distillation apparatus is a precision tool designed for 0.5–5ml sample volumes. Miniaturized glassware and a compact distillation path minimize the holdup volume in the apparatus, maximizing recovery of precious samples. Made from borosilicate glass 3.3 with 14/10 standard ground joints for reliable sealing. Widely used for natural product isolation, microscale purification of synthetic products, pharmaceutical impurity analysis, and high-boiling solvent recovery.

Micro Distillation Flask / Micro Condenser …Component
25ml, 14/10 / 100mm, 14/10 …Standard Spec
To be confirmedAvailable Joint Sizes
10ml 50ml Pear-shaped flask / 50mm 150mm …Upgrade Options

Specifications are subject to confirmation with your enquiry.

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Borosilicate Glass 3.3 14/10 Standard Joint Low Dead Volume · High Recovery Hickman Head Option

📐 Selection Guidelines: The key to microscale distillation is "short path, few joints" — the longer the distillation path and the more joints, the larger the holdup volume and the lower the recovery. This kit comes with a 25ml micro distillation flask and a 100mm micro condenser, suitable for 0.5–5ml samples. For 1–3ml ultra-micro samples, upgrade to the Hickman micro distillation head, which integrates distillation and collection in one component to minimize losses.

  • Size recommendations — 25ml, 10ml flasks; 100mm, 50mm condensers available
  • Borosilicate Glass 3.3 — chemically resistant, crystal clear
  • 14/10 Standard Joint — reliable seal, compatible with mainstream micro glassware
  • Compact design — short distillation path, low holdup volume, high recovery
  • Complete setup — flask, condenser, distillation head, receiver, all included

BRAND IDENTITY

Vissal® brand wordmark RichTech company logo

Vissal® is RichTech's own brand; RichTech is the company mark. Both are used together for this product's brand identification.

We will follow up on your inquiry as soon as possible. Custom sizes supported Samples available

Specifications

Specifications

Component List

All components listed below are included in this kit. Items marked Optional can be customized.

Request custom specs

Available Joint Sizes · GB/ISO/ASTM Standards

All sizes share 1:10 standard taper — GB, ISO, and ASTM sizes are interchangeable

14/19 19/26 24/29 (GB·recommended) 29/32 34/35 · 45/40 · 50/42 custom
GB (Chinese) 14/19 · 19/26 · 24/29 · 29/32 ISO 14/19 · 19/26 · 24/29 · 29/32 ASTM (American) 14/20 · 19/22 · 24/40 · 29/42

* All components have matching joint sizes for full system compatibility. ASTM and GB/ISO sizes share 1:10 taper — seal lengths differ but are interchangeable.

Component Standard Spec Available Joint Sizes Upgrade Options Qty Link
Please contact us to confirm the available specifications.
📌 Customization Notes:
• Joint size can be selected to match your existing lab system:
 GB (Chinese): 14/19 · 19/26 · 24/29 · 29/32
 ISO: 14/19 · 19/26 · 24/29 · 29/32
 ASTM (American): 14/20 · 19/22 · 24/40 · 29/42
• Flask capacity: 10ml, 25ml (standard), 50ml
• Condenser length: 50mm, 100mm (standard), 150mm
• Upgrade to Hickman micro distillation head (ultra-micro samples, 1-3ml)
• Mix and match — no minimum order quantity
💡 Recommended Add-Ons: Magnetic stir bar · Boiling stones/anti-bumping granules · Micro thermometer (0~150℃) · Pipettor · Storage case (foam-lined)

Product Description

I. How Microscale Distillation Works

The principle of microscale distillation is the same as standard distillation — heating vaporizes the liquid, and the vapor is condensed and collected. The difference lies in scale and sample volume. Standard distillation uses 250ml flasks for tens to hundreds of milliliters; microscale distillation uses 25ml (or even 10ml) flasks for 0.5–5ml samples.

The core challenge of microscale distillation is minimizing sample loss. With such small sample volumes, the "holdup volume" — the amount of sample that remains in the apparatus after distillation — must be minimized to achieve acceptable recovery. The design philosophy is "short path, few joints, small volume".

✦ Holdup Volume — The Key Metric in Microscale Distillation:

Holdup volume is the amount of sample that condenses and remains on the inner walls, joints, and condenser after distillation. Losing a few milliliters in standard distillation doesn't matter — in microscale distillation, losing 0.5ml out of 5ml is a 10%+ loss in recovery.
Ways to reduce holdup volume: ① Shorten the distillation path; ② Minimize the number of joints; ③ Use an integrated design like the Hickman head.

II. What's in the Setup

  • Micro Distillation Flask — 25ml or 10ml round-bottom flask; holds the sample
  • Micro Condenser — 100mm or 50mm straight condenser; condenses vapor
  • Micro Distillation Head — Connects flask and condenser; holds the thermometer
  • Micro Receiver — Collects distillate; graduated for quantitative measurement
  • Thermometer Adapter — Holds the thermometer; monitors vapor temperature
  • Heating Block or Heating Mantle — Provides uniform heat; prevents localized overheating
  • Iron Stand & Micro Clamps — Secures the apparatus

III. Hickman Micro Distillation Head — The Choice for Ultra-Micro Samples

The Hickman micro distillation head is an upgrade that integrates distillation and collection into a single component. The distillation path is extremely short, holdup volume is minimal, and it is ideal for 1–3ml ultra-micro samples.

Two types of Hickman heads are available:

  • With side port — Allows distillate removal without stopping the distillation using a pipette through the side port; ideal for continuous operation
  • Without side port — Simpler design; tilt the apparatus after distillation to recover the distillate with a pipette; suitable for single-batch distillation

IV. Material & Workmanship

All glass components are manufactured from borosilicate glass 3.3 — chemically resistant and thermally shock-resistant. 14/10 standard joints are precision-machined for reliable sealing. The compact apparatus can be stored in a foam-lined case for easy organization and portability.

Applications

Typical Applications

Natural Product Isolation

Purification of trace active compounds from plant extracts

Microscale Synthesis Purification

Distillation purification of small-batch reaction products

Pharmaceutical Impurity Analysis

Separation and identification of trace impurities in drugs

Precious Sample Recovery

Recovery of bioactive compounds and expensive intermediates

Boiling Point Determination

Microscale boiling point determination of liquid compounds

High-Boiling Solvent Recovery

Recovery and reuse of small quantities of high-boiling solvents

Suitable Conditions

  • Sample volume between 0.5–5ml
  • Target compound is thermally stable at distillation temperature
  • Suitable for low to medium boiling point (50–250℃) liquid compounds
  • Not suitable for heat-sensitive materials (use microscale vacuum distillation instead)
Sample VolumeRecommended FlaskRecommended CondenserRecommended Head
Please contact us to confirm the available specifications.
Operation & Maintenance

User Guide

The operating principles are the same as standard distillation, but the details matter more — with small samples, there's less room for error.

03

I. Before You Start

  • Check all glassware for cracks — cracked glass is unsafe
  • Check that 14/10 ground joints are tight — leaks mean sample loss
  • Confirm sample volume is 0.5–5ml (1/3–1/2 of flask capacity)
  • Prepare a heating block or mantle with temperature control
04

Assembly sequence

  1. Add sample to the micro distillation flask — fill to 1/3 to 1/2 of flask capacity
  2. Add 1 boiling stone or a magnetic stir bar (don't overdo it with micro samples)
  3. Attach the micro distillation head — ensure the ground joint is properly seated
  4. Install the thermometer adapter and thermometer
  5. Connect the micro condenser, with the micro receiver at the lower end
  6. Secure the flask and condenser with micro clamps — ensure the apparatus is vertical
  7. The condenser top must remain open (vented to atmosphere)
05

III. Cooling Water & Heating

  • Turn on cooling water first — bottom-in, top-out
  • Water flow should be low, not high — micro condensers have narrow tubes; too much flow reduces efficiency
  • Start heating with the heating block or mantle — increase temperature slowly — micro samples bump easily if heated too fast
  • Control distillate rate at 1–2 drops/second
06

IV. Distillation Control

  • Monitor the thermometer closely — record the initial boiling point and stable fraction temperature
  • The distillate volume is small — collect directly in the micro receiver, which is graduated for easy quantification
  • If using a Hickman head, distillate collects in the annular trough — recover with a pipette
  • If bumping occurs, reduce heating immediately
06

V. Shutdown

  • Turn off the heat first — allow the apparatus to cool naturally
  • Keep cooling water circulating until no more distillate is produced
  • Turn off the cooling water
  • Disassemble in reverse order
  • Transfer the distillate from the receiver to a sample vial using a pipettor
  • Clean all glassware — micro glassware must be rinsed thoroughly with solvent; residues will affect the next use

📌 Loading Tips for Microscale Distillation:

With such small volumes, use a pipettor or dropper to add the sample directly to the flask — avoid using a funnel (sample will stick to the funnel walls). If the sample is viscous or contains solids, dilute with a small amount of solvent before distillation.

💡 From a Seasoned Lab Hand:

"Microscale distillation is all about patience — slow heating, slow distillation, careful observation." With such small samples, there's no room for rushing. Heating too fast causes bumping — the sample sprays into the condenser and you lose everything.
Hickman head tip: With the side-port version, you can sample during distillation — insert a pipette through the side port to collect a few drops for purity checking without stopping the process.
Recovery: Expect 70–90% recovery in microscale distillation. If recovery is low, check for leaks in the apparatus, a distillation path that's too long, or heating that's too fast.

Care & Notes

Show care & notes

⚠️ Safety & Compliance Checklist

Work in a fume hood

— even small amounts of organic vapor are hazardous

NO open flame when heating flammable solvents

— use a heating mantle or block

The condenser top must remain open

— sealed systems will explode when heated

Micro thermometers are fragile

— handle with care during installation and removal

Do not
  • Never use cracked glassware

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Microscale Distillation ApparatusComponent Micro Distillation Flask / Micro Condenser … Get a Quote