The Bethell process is a chemical method used for the separation of organic compounds. It is commonly used in the production of aromatic hydrocarbons, which are widely used in the manufacture of plastics, synthetic fibers, and dyes. The process is named after its inventor, Thomas Bethell, who first described it in 1872.
Definitions
The Bethell process is a distillation method used to separate organic compounds with similar boiling points. It involves the use of a fractionating column, which is packed with a material that selectively adsorbs one of the compounds. The mixture is then heated and the vapor passes through the column, where it is separated into its individual components.
Origin
The Bethell process was invented by Thomas Bethell, a British chemist, in 1872. He first described the process in a paper published in the Journal of the Chemical Society. The method was initially used in the production of coal tar, but it has since been adapted for use in the separation of a wide range of organic compounds.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The Bethell process is not commonly found in modern dictionaries, but older editions of chemistry reference books often include a definition. For example, the 1911 edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica defines the Bethell process as “a process for separating organic liquids of similar boiling points by means of a fractionating column packed with a suitable adsorbent.”
Associations
The Bethell process is closely associated with the production of aromatic hydrocarbons, which are used in a wide range of industrial applications. It is also used in the production of other organic compounds, such as alcohols and esters.
Synonyms
There are no commonly used synonyms for the Bethell process.
Antonyms
There are no commonly used antonyms for the Bethell process.
The same root words
The Bethell process is named after its inventor, Thomas Bethell. The word “process” refers to the method used to separate the organic compounds.
Example Sentences
- The Bethell process is commonly used in the production of aromatic hydrocarbons.
- The fractionating column used in the Bethell process is packed with a material that selectively adsorbs one of the compounds.
- Thomas Bethell first described the process in a paper published in the Journal of the Chemical Society.
- The Bethell process has been adapted for use in the separation of a wide range of organic compounds.