Florentine flask facts for kids
A Florentine flask is a special tool used to separate oil from water. It's also known by other names like Florentine receiver or essencier. People use it when making things like perfumes or essential oils. It works by collecting the liquid that comes from a process called steam distillation, which helps get fragrant oils from plants.
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How It Works
When you heat plants with steam, the nice-smelling parts (called volatile fragrant compounds) turn into a vapor along with the steam. These vapors leave the still (a special pot).
The vapors then go into a condenser, which cools them down. As they cool, they turn back into a liquid. This liquid then flows into the Florentine flask. Inside the flask, the water and the essential oils separate from each other.
Essential oils separate from water because they have a different density (how much "stuff" is packed into a space) than water. Also, oils and water don't mix, which is why they form separate layers.
Different Types of Florentine Flasks
There are two main kinds of Florentine flasks. One type is for essential oils that are lighter than water. For example, lavender oil floats on top of the water. This kind of flask needs to be sealed tightly so that the valuable oils don't evaporate and get lost.
The other type is for oils that are heavier than water. These oils, like cinnamon or clove oil, sink to the bottom, under the water. Having the water on top helps to stop the oils from evaporating. Some Florentine flasks are even designed to work with both types of oils.
What Happens to the Water?
The water that separates from the oil is called a herbal distillate or herbal water. Sometimes, this water can be put back into the still to be used again. Other times, it can be sold as a scented water.
A small amount of oil might stay mixed with the water. To get even more oil, people sometimes use more than one Florentine flask in a row. This helps to catch any tiny oil droplets that might have escaped the first flask.
Sizes and Materials
For labs, small glass Florentine flasks without a base are sometimes called Florentine vases. They look a bit like a small amphora (an ancient jar). Larger glass flasks with a base are known as Florentine flasks or essenciers.
Glass flasks are usually used for sizes up to about 15 liters. For bigger amounts, glass can break too easily. So, larger Florentine flasks are often made from metal.
