Vacuum Chamber

Synopsis

A vacuum is a phenomenon that can produce a number of interesting effects. Some of these are purely entertainment values such as inflating and deflating marshmallows but it can also be used in chemical engineering for purifying materials. A vacuum is a lack of pressure, when there is less material in a given volume than there typically is at atmospheric pressure. This results in molecules being pulled into the vacuum to fill the space and return pressure to normal levels

Vacuum chambers create a vacuum by creating a sealed environment so that an attached vacuum pump can remove the air present and new air cannot rush back in to replace it. 

Chemical engineers use a vacuum to reduce the boiling point of high boiling point substances. This could be used to boil water at less than 212 degrees Fahrenheit for example. This reduces the energy and temperature required to boil the material, potentially enabling the plant to use cheaper equipment for the process. Another use for vacuum in a chemical plant is to place a mixture under vacuum in order to pull out the material with the lowest boiling point. For example, vacuum could be used to separate isopropyl alcohol from water. 

Equipment

• Rigid container (stock pot)
• Rubber seal
• 1/2 inch acrylic lid with sealed pump connection
• Vacuum pump

Instructions

1. Insert object to be placed under vacuum in the container
2. Place seal and lid on the container
3. Attach pump to the lid
4. Turn on the pump