Distillation is used to separate liquids from nonvolatile solids, as in the separation of alcoholic liquors from fermented materials, or in the separation of two or more liquids having different boiling points, as in the separation of gasoline, kerosene, and lubricating oil from crude oil.

Why is distillation important to our daily lives?

Distillation is used to produce a variety of alcoholic beverages, such as whiskey, rum and brandy. When fruit and plant materials ferment, a dilute version of ethyl alcohol is produced. Distilling the fermented material purifies and concentrates the ethanol.

Why is distillation used in chemistry?

Distillation is used to purify a compound by separating it from a non-volatile or less-volatile material. Because different compounds often have different boiling points, the components often separate from a mixture when the mixture is distilled.