Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

azeotrope

noun

ˈā-zē-ə-ˌtrōp

Definition

Azeotrope refers to a mixture of two or more liquids that has a constant boiling point and composition throughout the boiling process.

Examples

Water and ethanol form an azeotrope that is often used in distillation processes.
The azeotropic behavior of certain mixtures complicates their purification.
Understanding azeotropes is essential in chemical engineering for separation processes.

Meaning

In an azeotropic mixture, the vapor produced during boiling has the same proportion of constituents as the liquid mixture, preventing separation by simple distillation.