One of the major applications of sublimation is chemical purification; very easy to separate/purify chemical compounds, those that can be sublimed under milder conditions form those that require harsher conditions; for example at different temperatures or in vacuum.

Condensation occurs when the partial pressure of any compound in the gaseous mixture exceeds it vapour pressure so the solution may lie in reducing the partial pressure of the condensable compounds by diluting the sample stream.

There is no chemical equation because it is not a chemical reaction. It is a physical change of state. H2O (gas) → H2O (liquid).

How Do I Prevent Condensation?

1. Try to keep the inside temperature reasonably constant.
2. Avoid drying clothes indoors.
3. Do not dry clothes over any radiators.
4. Ensure tumble driers are properly vented or the condensate is regularly emptied.
5. Keep furniture away from walls.
6. Do not turn off or disable extractor fans.

Practical Applications of Sublimation Sublimation of iodine may be used to reveal latent fingerprints on paper. Sublimation is used to purify compounds. It is especially useful for organic compounds. Because dry ice sublimates so readily, the compound is used to produce fog effects.

Sublimation of Caffeine. Sublimation is a process used to isolate a -natural product from other undesired compounds, and then purify it by a direct phase change of that product from a solid to a vapor. Therefore, it will undergo the direct phase change before the rest of the impurities.

Sublimation items must have a white or light-coloured print area. Black or dark-coloured surfaces can’t be sublimated. The item may lose colour over the months due to the effect of UV rays if it’s permanently exposed to direct sunlight. Like all inkjet printers, the printheads may clog if they are not used frequently.

The most notable difference is that sublimation requires a volatile solid, whereas most solid can be recrystallized from a solvent system that is not too exotic. Recrystallizations tend to recover more pure product. In regards to green chemistry, sublimations are preferred as they generate no solvent waste.

Although caffeine is water soluble, it doesn’t dissolve all that well at room temperature. This is why all coffee and tea is made with hot water – because the hotter the water, the greater the solubility of the caffeine.