DECANTATION

Presented by:
Harshit Patwa
Mahendra Pratap Singh
Definition

• Decantation is the process of separation of

liquid from solid and other immiscible (non-
mixing) liquids, by removing the liquid layer
at the top from the layer of solid or liquid
below. The process can be carried out by
tilting the mixture after pouring out the top
layer.
Common example (muddy water)

Stir rods are used as part of
proper laboratory technique
when decanting supernatants
because the contact helps to
negate the adhesion between
the side of the glassware and
the supernatant that is
responsible for the liquid
running down the side.
Solids settle faster in slanted tube

 In laboratory situations,

decantation of mixtures
containing solids and
liquids occur in test
tubes. To enhance
productivity, test tubes
should be placed at a 45°
angle to allow sediments
to settle at the bottom of
the apparatus.
Usually this process is not very
efficient in this separation, as thin
layer of the remaining oil cannot be
easily procured from the mixture. In
order to make the procurement easier
and the separation efficient, we use a
separating funnel.
Decantation using separating funnel

Here, the bottom layer is collected

first and the layer above it is made
to remain in the vessel with the
help of a stop cock, as shown
which can be procured later.

Hence, separation of mixtures by

this process is highly efficient if
one of the components of mixture
settles easily.
Decanting wine

• Decanting wine means slowly pouring the wine from its bottle into
a different container, without disturbing the sediment at the
bottom. Wine is often decanted into a glass vessel with an easy-
pour neck.
• Decanting separates sediment from liquid. Decanting is first and
foremost about separating wine from the sediments that settle at
the bottom of the bottle. Red wines contain the most sediment,
especially older wines and vintage ports, while young white wines
contain the least. Sediment is not harmful, but tastes unpleasant.
Cream and milk

• Cream is separated from

milk by decantation.
Cream rises to the top of
unhomogenised milk
mixture and is easily
skimmed off.
Blood and Plasma

• A centrifuge is necessary
for this decantation.
Plasma can be removed
from blood by
decantation.