Crude Oil Distillation · Aug 14, 2026
ASTM D1160 Vacuum Distillation Apparatus
What ASTM D1160 (ISO 6616) measures, how it differs from D2892 crude TBP, and what a turn-key vacuum apparatus includes.
ReadB/R Instrument blog
Notes on distillation, solvent recycling, crude oil analysis, and laboratory equipment.
Fractional Distillation · Aug 5, 2026
How a Fractional Distillation Column Works
Boiler, column, condenser, reflux, and receivers. How a complete lab system differs from kit glassware.
ReadFractional Distillation · Jul 22, 2026
Spinning Band vs Packed Column Distillation
When to choose a spinning band column versus a packed column for laboratory fractional distillation. Efficiency, hold-up, and throughput...
ReadFractional Distillation · Jul 8, 2026
Choosing Micro, Mini, Lab Scale, or Pilot Distillation
How to size B/R fractional distillation systems: micro, mini, lab scale 9600, and pilot, based on sample volume...
ReadFractional Distillation · Jun 17, 2026
Theoretical Plates and Hold-up in Laboratory Distillation
Theoretical plates vs hold-up: how column efficiency and inventory affect purity and yield in laboratory fractional distillation...
ReadFractional Distillation · May 28, 2026
Lab Scale Fractional Distillation Systems (9600 Overview)
B/R 9600 lab scale fractional distillation: multi-liter flasks, column options, automation, and typical applications...
ReadFractional Distillation · May 6, 2026
Spinning Band Distillation for Specialty Chemicals and Natural Products
How spinning band distillation helps purify specialty chemicals and natural products when efficiency and low hold-up both matter...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 31, 2026
The Unexpected Risk Facing Histology and Pathology Labs
Could your lab continue operating if alcohol, xylene, or formalin suddenly became difficult to get? How onsite solvent recycling builds resilience against supply chain disruption...
ReadNews · Jun 10, 2026
B/R Instrument Honors Richard Roark, Sr. for a Lifetime of Leadership and Service
B/R Instrument recognizes and thanks Richard Roark, Sr. for his lifetime of dedication, leadership, and service as President and CEO. Matt Baer, a 10-year veteran of B/R Instrument, becomes President effective June 1, 2026...
ReadFractional Distillation · Apr 21, 2020
Cadiot Distillation for Wine Analysis
A Cadiot Distillation Column is also known as a Spinning Band distillation column. One application of Cadiot distillation is for wine analysis, specifically...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 22, 2019
Is Solvent Recycling A Lot Of Work?
If you have 5 minutes a day, you have enough time to recycle your solvents. That may sound like an exaggeration but recycling doesn't take much time. A B/R...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 21, 2019
How Pure Are Recycled Solvents?
The recycled purity can depend a lot on the recycler being used. With a B/R recycler you can expect high purity recycled solvents. The table below shows...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 20, 2019
How Much Space Does A Solvent Recycler Take Up?
Q: Our lab is already crowded. Does a recycler take up much space? Space is always in short supply. Choose a "space efficient" recycler and you are on your way...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 19, 2019
5 Reasons To Recycle Solvents
By now you've heard that many histology labs are recycling their xylene, alcohol, and formalin. What are some reasons to recycle solvents? Don't Throw Solvents...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 18, 2019
What utilities do I need to operate solvent recycling equipment?
Q: My old recycler needed water and a drain. Do today's recyclers need a water hook up? No, you don't need a water hook up or drain. Older solvent recyclers...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 17, 2019
How many times can I recycle a solvent?
A B/R recycler can recycle a solvent forever! Solvents used for tissue processing or staining becomes contaminated with stain, water, fat, protein, wax, and...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 16, 2019
Do filter based solvent recyclers work?
Do filter-based recyclers work? The answer is both yes and no, but mostly no. There are commercial filter recyclers available for alcohol and formalin....
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 15, 2019
Can I recycle xylene substitutes?
Q: Our lab wants to switch to xylene substitutes. Can they be recycled? Actually, xylene substitutes are easier to recycle than xylene. Their higher boiling...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 14, 2019
How long does a Solvent Recycler last?
Q: How many years will a solvent recycler last before it needs replacing? 10 to 15 years or...Longer. Do you remember your cell phone from 15 years ago? The...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 13, 2019
Does a solvent recycler need ventilation?
No, B/R recyclers do not require special ventilation or a special room. B/R Solvent recyclers are closed systems - no special ventilation needed. B/R solvent...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 12, 2019
Does Solvent Recycling Make Cents...Dollars?
Q: My boss wants our lab to start recycling solvents. How do I know if it makes financial sense? Solvent recycling saves money! That's the main driving force...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 11, 2019
How do I fill my recycler?
Q: How do I fill my recycler? Most recyclers have more than one way to fill them. You can choose the fill method that fits your lab. Direct fill - One pour and...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 10, 2019
Recycled Solvent Purity Test
Q: How do I know my recycled solvents are pure? You can use the following quick tests to check the purity of the recycled solvents. Xylene: The Graduated...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 09, 2019
Should recycled solvents smell fishy?
Q: I've heard some recycled solvents smell fishy. Is there a way to avoid that? Bad smelling solvent is an unpleasant problem but it's easy to avoid. Waste...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 08, 2019
No Rinse Cycle
Q: If I am recycling more than one solvent in a recycler, how do I avoid cross contamination between the solvents? After making your solvents nice and clean in...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 07, 2019
Solvent recycling is great, especially if someone else does it for you
Solvent recycling in our lab? Sounds great but can't somebody else do it for us? A growing trend in hospitals is for Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) to...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 06, 2019
How much does it cost to operate a Solvent Recycler?
With a 20 liter (5 gallon) recycler you can easily recycler 5000 to 10000 liters (1300 to 2700 gallons) of solvent in a year. Typical operating costs to...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 05, 2019
Fractional Distillation and Solvent Recycling
If you need consistent, high-quality recycled solvents, you need fractional distillation. Fractional distillation is a technique used to purify solvents,...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 04, 2019
Alcohol Recycling 101
All About Alcohol Recycling You've been using alcohol for years and are thinking about recycling it. That is a great idea that will save you money! It doesn't...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 03, 2019
Formalin Recycling 101
How Does Formalin Recycling Work? You've been using formalin for years and are thinking about recycling it. That's a great idea that will save you money! While...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 02, 2019
Reduce your waste generator status and save a ton of paperwork
Labs spend significant sums on buying and disposing of histology solvents. Unseen to most, are the regulatory costs of complying with local and federal...
ReadSolvent Recycling · Jul 01, 2019
Xylene Recycling 101
Tell me about the details of the xylene recycling process Note: With regard to solvent recycling xylene and xylene substitutes are nearly interchangeable. In...
ReadCrude Oil Distillation · Dec 14, 2018
Micro Distillation of Crude Oil 7 to 100 ml
Very small amounts of crude oil (7 - 100 ml) can be distilled with the B/R micro crude oil distillation system. The spinning band with a maximum of 15...
ReadCrude Oil Distillation · Dec 14, 2018
Mini-Crude Oil Distillation
Distilling small samples of crude oil 100- 1000 ml Distilling small samples of crude oil can be a challenge. The "hold up" in the column packing...
ReadCrude Oil Distillation · Dec 09, 2018
Reflux Ratio and D2892 Crude Oil Distillation
Reflux is the return of condensed distillation vapor to the boiling flask. Reflux ratio is the ratio of the condensate returned to the boiling flask to the...
ReadCrude Oil Distillation · Dec 09, 2018
Condensate Distillation with D2892 crude oil distillation
Condensate is a by product of raw natural gas composed of light hydrocarbons which can be condensed when below their dew point. There are 3 primary sources of...
ReadCrude Oil Distillation · Dec 09, 2018
Dehydration of Crude Oil - D2892 (De-watering)
High levels of water in crude oil make fractional distillation difficult. Water has a hard time vaporizing from the boiling flask and getting through the...
ReadCrude Oil Distillation · Nov 24, 2018
True Boiling Point Distillation - ASTM D2892 Distillation of Crude Oil
True boiling point distillation distills crude oil from the initial boiling point up to 370-400 °C. D2892 is the ASTM test number. It is most commonly used to...
ReadCrude Oil Distillation · Nov 20, 2018
Why Distill Crude Oil on a Lab Scale?
Not all Crude Oil is the Same. How can you do Quality Control? Refineries buy large volumes of crude oil. But when a 500,000 barrel tanker arrives, how do they...
ReadCrude Oil Distillation · Nov 19, 2018
Butane Collection for True Boiling Point Distillation - ASTM D2892
Read on to learn more about butane collection for true boiling point distillation. Butane is a component of crude oil that boils well below room temperature....
ReadCrude Oil Distillation · Nov 19, 2018
Vacuum Pot Still: ASTM D5236 for Distillation of Heavy Hydrocarbons
Vacuum Pot Still (VPS) The vacuum pot still distills crude oil residue from 370 ºC up to 565 ºC. D5236 is the ASTM test number. It is most commonly used to...
ReadCrude Oil Distillation · Nov 12, 2018
Modeling Refining with Lab-Scale Crude Oil Distillation: ASTM D2892
Lab-scale Crude Oil Distillation Distillation of crude oil in the laboratory models what happens in the refinery. The results of the lab-scale distillation...
ReadCrude Oil Distillation · Nov 12, 2018
True Boiling Point (TBP) Distillation Column Packing: ASTM D2892 Crude Oil Distillation
True boiling point distillation has distillation column packing that has 15 theoretical plates of efficiency. Many different types of packing are currently...
Read