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

See Examples For:

destructive distillation

It is obtained from wood by destructive distillation in close vessels.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by George Dadd

This is a very old observation, and was made so long ago that it becomes interesting as a point in the history of applied science to know who first submitted coal to destructive distillation.

From Coal and What We Get from It by Raphael Meldola

The lower-grade qualities are often produced from the destructive distillation of sawdust, stumpage, etc., and these products, on account of their content of formaldehyde, are objectionable in odor.

From Paint Technology and Tests by Henry A. Gardner

Having once realized this principle with respect to coal itself, it is easy to extend it to the products of its destructive distillation.

From Coal and What We Get from It by Raphael Meldola

When the substance operated upon is of uncertain composition, as, for example, coal, wood, coal-tar, &c., the term destructive distillation is employed.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 5 "Dinard" to "Dodsworth" by Various