Straight tube condenser

Straight Tube laboratory-glassware/condensers">Condenser - Laboratory Glassware

The straight tube condenser, commonly called a Liebig condenser, handles vapor condensation through a no-nonsense design. An inner tube carries hot vapor while an outer jacket circulates cooling water. You'll find this workhorse in every lab running distillations or reflux setups.

Straight Tube Condenser Design for Simple Distillation Processes

The design couldn't be simpler. Vapor travels through the inner tube. Cold water flows through the outer jacket in the opposite direction. Heat transfers out, vapor condenses, liquid drips down. Made from borosilicate glass to handle thermal shock without cracking. Standard ground glass joints (14/20, 19/22, 24/29) connect directly to your Conical flask with grind or other glassware with matching joints. Available in 200mm to 600mm lengths depending on your cooling needs.

Linear Cooling Path Construction

• Inner tube diameter typically 10-15mm for adequate vapor flow
• Water jacket surrounds the entire length for maximum contact
• Inlet at bottom, outlet at top prevents air pockets
• Counter-current flow maximizes temperature differential
• Hose barbs sized for standard lab tubing connections

Works best when paired with Condensers of other types for multi-stage setups. Connect the bottom joint to a Conical flask with thread and polypropylene cap for sealed distillation runs.

Ideal Temperature Ranges and Vapor Handling

Straight tube condensers excel with moderate boiling point compounds between 60-150°C. Water cooling handles most organic solvents like ethanol, acetone, and dichloromethane without issues. For higher boiling materials, you'll need more cooling surface area. Low boilers under 40°C require chilled water or a different condenser type entirely.

Vapor capacity: Standard 300mm length handles 50-200mL/hour distillation rates. Larger Laboratory glasses and beakers as receivers accommodate higher throughput. Match your condenser length to your distillation volume.

Maintenance and Cleaning Procedures

• Flush water jacket immediately after use to prevent mineral buildup
• Soak in base bath for organic residues, acid bath for inorganics
• Use bottle brushes for inner tube cleaning
• Check ground glass joints for chips before each use
• Store vertically to prevent stress on joints

Straight design makes cleaning easier than coil condensers. No tight bends to trap residue. A Conical flask with a narrow throat works well for soaking the condenser vertically during cleaning cycles.