Retorting

Name:
Retorting
Detailed information:
(1) A process much used in the early years of chemistry for destructive distillation of heavy organic liquids and for laboratory separations. It involves the use of a cylindrical vessel made of glass (for laboratory work), fireclay, or metal, with a neck bent at a downward angle to facilitate distillation. For gas manufacture the equipment is built on a heavier scale to handle destructive distillation of coal.(2) Processing shale oil.(3) Heating canned or pouched foods with steam to stop bacterial growth.(4) Volatilization of mercury from gold and silver amalgams.