Diethyl Ether Gas Scrubbing

[Zenochem]

Di-ethyl Ether Gas Scrubbing

This might have been covered but I have had little luck in searching for an effective Diethyl Ether gas scrubber.

 

I am about to perform a Di-Ether purification from Heptane using fractional distilling in a Vigreux column (20cm) on a 1.5L scale (6x250mL per my glassware).

 

My problem is that even though this is being performed in a decent fume hood, I have always had significant ether gas drop down out of the hood. This is a homemade hood mind you, however, if possible, I would like to run the sealed apparatus through several gas washing bottles to eliminate ether to air exposure.

 

My first bottle is 700mL with around 200~g of drierite to prevent water uptake into the distillation apparatus on vacuum uptake of atm. on cool-down that I use as a general assembly for anhydrous (or close) distillations.

 

I have two additional 150mL gas washing bottles that can be filled with most common lab reagents except mercury as I do not have enough to fill even a small wash bottle.

 

The water uptake of ether is too small as I have already tried this, and yes, I will continue my own research and DO NOT expect to be spoon fed, however, if anyone has done this before and has a ready answer to the best absorbent for ether fumes it would help. I have spent at least a few hours researching this issue but other than long articles, or my own ineptitude I have not found much that would (in at least 2 washes, 3 tops) scrub the ether vapors to at least 80% efficiency.

 

Thanks to anyone with help, while the vapors aren't an issue for explosive content for the most part for spark proof equipment, fire is always an issue when distilling ether, and I do have all the safety equipment available for a full blown lab fire, as well as personal safety equipment.

After a bit more conversation with others we have come to a mineral oil + vegetable oil = atmosphere scrubber system. If anyone has better solvents than this (heptane is out obviously as if I had that I would have never published the question

Edited August 15, 2012 by Zenochem

[John Cuthber]

I'd go for a cold trap.

Don't put anything in the gas washing bottle, but put it in a tub of ice and salt.

 

(actually, I'd go for a better fume cupboard and, if I really couldn't do that I'd vent the ether vapour outside directly.)

Edited August 15, 2012 by John Cuthber