destructive distillation

American  

noun

Chemistry.

1. the decomposition of a substance, as wood or coal, by heating with a minimal exposure to air, and the collection of the volatile products formed.

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destructive distillation British  

noun

1. the decomposition of a complex substance, such as wood or coal, by heating it in the absence of air and collecting the volatile products

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destructive distillation Scientific  

/ dĭ-strŭk′tĭv /

1. A process by which organic substances such as wood, coal, and oil shale are broken down by heat in the absence of air. This causes them to break down into solids, liquids, and gases, which are then used to make products such as coke, charcoal, oils, and ammonia.

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Etymology

Origin of destructive distillation

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

The products of destructive distillation are numerous and varied.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia Volume 4, Part 1: Deposition to Eberswalde by Various

The tobacco-pipe experiment of our boyhood is our first practical introduction to the destructive distillation of coal.

From Coal and What We Get from It by Meldola, Raphael

The true bitumens appear to have arisen from coal or lignite by the action of subterranean heat; and very closely resemble some of the products yielded by the destructive distillation of those bodies.

From Field's Chromatography or Treatise on Colours and Pigments as Used by Artists by Salter, Thomas

The Chemistry of Roasting The effect of the heat in the roasting of coffee is largely evidenced as a destructive distillation and also as a partial dehydration.

From All About Coffee by Ukers, William H. (William Harrison)