Alembic
Encyclopedia
An alembic is an alchemical
still
consisting of two vessels connected by a tube. Technically, the alembic is the lid with a tube attachment (the capital or still-head), which is placed on top of a flask, the cucurbit, containing the material to be distilled, but the word is often used to refer to the entire distillation
apparatus. If the lid and flask are in one piece, it may be called a retort
. The liquid in the first flask is boiled; the vapour rises and flows into the tube, where it cools and condenses, running into the second flask. A modern descendant of the alembic (used to produce alcohol
) is the pot still
. The earliest appearances of alembics are to be found in the works of ancient Greek alchemists
who conducted the first documented scientific studies on distillation. This work was extended during the Middle Ages by Muslim alchemists like Jābir ibn Hayyān.
The word "alembic" is also used metaphorically for anything that refines or transmutes, as if by distillation (as in "the alembic of creative thought"). The word, like most alchemical terminology, comes from the Arabic
: al-inbīq, meaning "still". The French
spelling alambic is also commonly used, especially as the apparatus is often associated with cognac
where it is known as alambic charentais (Charente alembic). In Shakespeare's plays
, the older variant "limbeck" appears.
The alembic symbol is Unicode
U+2697 ALEMBIC .
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
still
Still
A still is a permanent apparatus used to distill miscible or immiscible liquid mixtures by heating to selectively boil and then cooling to condense the vapor...
consisting of two vessels connected by a tube. Technically, the alembic is the lid with a tube attachment (the capital or still-head), which is placed on top of a flask, the cucurbit, containing the material to be distilled, but the word is often used to refer to the entire distillation
Distillation
Distillation is a method of separating mixtures based on differences in volatilities of components in a boiling liquid mixture. Distillation is a unit operation, or a physical separation process, and not a chemical reaction....
apparatus. If the lid and flask are in one piece, it may be called a retort
Retort
In a chemistry laboratory, a retort is a glassware device used for distillation or dry distillation of substances. It consists of a spherical vessel with a long downward-pointing neck. The liquid to be distilled is placed in the vessel and heated...
. The liquid in the first flask is boiled; the vapour rises and flows into the tube, where it cools and condenses, running into the second flask. A modern descendant of the alembic (used to produce alcohol
Alcohol
In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms....
) is the pot still
Pot still
A pot still is a type of still used in distilling spirits such as whisky or brandy. Heat is applied directly to the pot containing the wash or wine . This is called a batch distillation ....
. The earliest appearances of alembics are to be found in the works of ancient Greek alchemists
Alchemy
Alchemy is an influential philosophical tradition whose early practitioners’ claims to profound powers were known from antiquity. The defining objectives of alchemy are varied; these include the creation of the fabled philosopher's stone possessing powers including the capability of turning base...
who conducted the first documented scientific studies on distillation. This work was extended during the Middle Ages by Muslim alchemists like Jābir ibn Hayyān.
The word "alembic" is also used metaphorically for anything that refines or transmutes, as if by distillation (as in "the alembic of creative thought"). The word, like most alchemical terminology, comes from the Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
: al-inbīq, meaning "still". The French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
spelling alambic is also commonly used, especially as the apparatus is often associated with cognac
Cognac (drink)
Cognac , named after the town of Cognac in France, is a variety of brandy. It is produced in the wine-growing region surrounding the town from which it takes its name, in the French Departements of Charente and Charente-Maritime....
where it is known as alambic charentais (Charente alembic). In Shakespeare's plays
Shakespeare's plays
William Shakespeare's plays have the reputation of being among the greatest in the English language and in Western literature. Traditionally, the 37 plays are divided into the genres of tragedy, history, and comedy; they have been translated into every major living language, in addition to being...
, the older variant "limbeck" appears.
The alembic symbol is Unicode
Unicode
Unicode is a computing industry standard for the consistent encoding, representation and handling of text expressed in most of the world's writing systems...
U+2697 ALEMBIC .
See also
- Batch distillationBatch distillationBatch distillation refers to the use of distillation in batches, meaning that a mixture is distilled to separate it into its component fractions before the distillation still is again charged with more mixture and the process is repeated...
- Pot stillPot stillA pot still is a type of still used in distilling spirits such as whisky or brandy. Heat is applied directly to the pot containing the wash or wine . This is called a batch distillation ....
- RetortRetortIn a chemistry laboratory, a retort is a glassware device used for distillation or dry distillation of substances. It consists of a spherical vessel with a long downward-pointing neck. The liquid to be distilled is placed in the vessel and heated...
- Distilled beverageDistilled beverageA distilled beverage, liquor, or spirit is an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol that is produced by distilling ethanol produced by means of fermenting grain, fruit, or vegetables...
- Robert François LaugierRobert François LaugierRobert François Laugier was a French pharmacologist. He is known for his book "Institutiones pharmaceuticae sive philosophia pharmaceutica" and for his work on the alembic.-References:...
