tyhjösuodatuksessa

Tyhjösuodatuksessa is a Finnish term that translates to vacuum filtration in English. It is a common laboratory technique used to separate solid particles from a liquid by applying a vacuum. This process is particularly useful when the solid particles are fine or when the liquid needs to be removed quickly.

The basic setup for vacuum filtration involves a Büchner funnel, a filter flask, and a vacuum source, typically a vacuum pump or a water aspirator. The Büchner funnel has a perforated plate that supports a filter paper. The solid-to-be-separated is placed on the filter paper, and the funnel is fitted into the neck of the filter flask. A vacuum is then applied to the side arm of the filter flask.

As the vacuum is established, it lowers the pressure inside the filter flask. The atmospheric pressure acting on the liquid in the funnel then forces the liquid through the filter paper and into the flask, leaving the solid particles behind on the filter paper. This method is efficient because the pressure difference created by the vacuum actively pulls the liquid through the filter, rather than relying solely on gravity.

Vacuum filtration is widely used in organic chemistry for isolating solid products from reaction mixtures, for drying precipitates, and for collecting crystalline solids. It is also employed in analytical chemistry and in various industrial processes where solid-liquid separation is required. The speed and efficiency of this technique make it a preferred method over simple gravity filtration in many applications.