All Quartz Double Distillation Apparatus

Quick Answer: An all quartz double distillation apparatus is a laboratory water still in which the boiling vessels and condensers are made of fused quartz, and the water is distilled twice in succession. It produces distilled water with a very low content of dissolved solids for trace analysis and other purity-sensitive work.

Why Quartz, and Why Twice

A single distillation leaves most dissolved salts behind, but a little spray is carried over and some substances are picked up from the apparatus itself. Distilling the product a second time removes most of what the first stage let through. Building both stages from fused quartz, also called fused silica, deals with the other source: quartz is almost pure silicon dioxide and releases far less boron, sodium and other elements into hot water than borosilicate or soda-lime glass, which matters when the water is used for blanks and standards in trace-metal analysis.

Quartz also tolerates rapid temperature change and high temperature, which suits boilers that are heated directly. In the usual arrangement the distillate from the first stage feeds the second boiler, the doubly distilled water is collected from the second condenser, and cooling water passes through both condensers. The listing does not state the output rate, heater rating, electrical supply, cooling water demand or whether automatic cut-outs are fitted, and these should be confirmed before installation.

Even doubly distilled water takes up carbon dioxide from the air, which lowers its pH and raises its conductivity slightly on standing, so it should be stored in clean closed containers and used fresh for the most demanding work.

Specifications

Type	Double distillation water still
Wetted parts	Fused quartz boilers and condensers, as the title states
Heating	Electrical; heater details not stated in the title
Services needed	Electrical supply, cooling water, drain
Output, heater rating and safety cut-outs	Confirm at enquiry

Applications

Preparing blanks, standards and dilutions for trace-metal analysis
Water for conductivity measurements and sensitive electrochemistry
Research and pharmacy labs needing water free of glass-derived contaminants
Final rinsing of apparatus used for trace work

Care & Handling

Feed the still with softened or pre-treated water where possible, as hard tap water scales the boilers quickly.
Descale with a dilute acid suitable for quartz; never use hydrofluoric acid or hot strong alkali, which attack silica.
Never switch on the heaters with the boilers empty or the cooling water off.
Have the electrical installation and earthing checked by a qualified electrician before first use.

Why Choose LabEquip

Analytical, research and pharmacy laboratories that need very pure distilled water every day are the usual buyers of an all-quartz double still. LabEquip lists it with its chemistry lab equipment and also supplies the automatic all-glass distillation apparatus for general-purpose water; send your required output and installation details through the contact page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is quartz used instead of glass in a water still?

Fused quartz is nearly pure silica and releases far fewer trace elements into hot water than borosilicate or soda-lime glass. It also withstands sudden temperature changes.

What does double distillation achieve?

The water is distilled once, and that distillate is distilled again. The second stage removes most of the impurities carried over by spray or volatility in the first, giving a purer product.

Is double distilled water the same as deionised water?

No. Distillation removes dissolved salts and most non-volatile impurities, including most microorganisms and non-volatile organic matter. Deionisation removes ions efficiently but not uncharged organics, and many labs combine the two for the most demanding uses.

How should the distilled water be stored?

In clean, closed containers made of a material that does not leach into the water, filled fresh and used quickly. Water left open absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, which lowers its pH and raises its conductivity.

What services does the still need?

An electrical supply suited to the heaters, a continuous flow of cooling water for the condensers and a drain. The exact ratings are not stated in the title and should be confirmed before installation.

How often do the boilers need cleaning?

It depends on the feed water. With hard tap water, scale can appear within weeks; with softened or pre-purified feed water, cleaning is needed far less often. Descale whenever a white deposit forms.

Last Updated: September 2026