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

The tar formed is affected to an even greater extent than the gas by alterations in the temperature at which the destructive distillation takes place.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 4 "G" to "Gaskell, Elizabeth" by Various

It is found amongst the products of the destructive distillation of a great many organic bodies, but the most abundant source is coal-tar.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) by Various

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 Thomas Salter

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

Dippel's Oil, a pharmaceutical preparation obtained by the destructive distillation of animal matter, such as horn, ivory, blood.

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