Turpentine
Turpentine[edit | edit source]
Turpentine is a fluid obtained by the distillation of resin harvested from living trees, primarily pine trees. It is mainly used as a solvent and as a source of materials for organic synthesis.
Production[edit | edit source]
Turpentine is produced by the distillation of resin obtained from trees, mainly pine trees. The resin is collected by making incisions into the tree bark, a process known as "tapping". The resin is then distilled to separate the volatile oil, known as turpentine, from the non-volatile rosin.
Collection[edit | edit source]
The collection of resin involves a method called "chipping," where the bark of the tree is cut to allow the resin to flow. A cup and gutter system is often used to collect the resin as it drips from the tree.
Distillation[edit | edit source]
The collected resin is then distilled in a still. The process involves heating the resin to evaporate the turpentine, which is then condensed and collected. The remaining solid material is known as rosin.
Uses[edit | edit source]
Turpentine is used as a solvent in the production of varnish and paint, and as a raw material in the chemical industry for the synthesis of other compounds. It is also used in traditional medicine and as a cleaning agent.
History[edit | edit source]
The use of turpentine dates back to ancient times, where it was used for medicinal purposes and as a solvent. The industry grew significantly in the 19th century, particularly in the southeastern United States, where large pine forests provided an abundant source of resin.
Environmental Impact[edit | edit source]
The production of turpentine has environmental impacts, including deforestation and habitat destruction. Sustainable practices and regulations have been implemented to mitigate these effects.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
Turpentine distilled the old way
Cup and gutter system for collecting turpentine
Chipping a turpentine tree
Turpentine face in Clinch County, Georgia, USA
Turpentine still at Manlyn, North Carolina
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
