The ebulliometer is a measuring device that is designed to evaluate the boiling point of different types of liquids. A common use of the ebulliometer is in the wine industry, as a means of separating the various elements into gas and measuring the alcohol content of a specific vintage or batch of wine. Here is some background on the way that ebulliometers function, and why they are still used by many wineries to maintain a consistent alcohol level in all varieties of wine they produce.

The point of measurement that is monitored with the use of an ebulliometer is the balance of vapor-liquid equality within the wine. There are two basic types of the device that are currently in use. The Swietoslawski ebulliometer relies on an isobaric method. This form of ebulliometer contains a boiler, Cotterell pumps, a condenser, and a thermowell.

The measurements obtained with this type of ebulliometer are considered to be very exact. An isobaric ebulliometer provides measurements of such factors as the exact temperature needed to reach a boiling point, solvent purities within the properties of the wine sample, and the molecular weight of the substance. The use of a resistance temperature device helps to create the accurate readings on the vapor-liquid equilibrium of the wine, which is one factor that makes the isobaric approach the most accurate reading possible with this type of device.

An isothermal ebulliometer contains similar components as the isobaric type, but usually involves the presence of a stirring mechanism that is operated by a small pump. The stirring takes place during the process of boiling the mixture and is thought to increase the chances for a more accurate reading of such gases within the mixture as methanol. While not as prominently in use as the isobaric type, there are a number of wineries that prefer this method for maintaining the quality of their wines.

The ebulliometer has enjoyed a long association with the wine industry. For a number of years, the device was considered the only viable method of obtaining accurate readings on the alcohol content of the wine sample. More recently, the gas chromatograph has gained a great deal of acceptance with a number of winery facilities around the world, and may eventually replace the ebulliometer as the measuring device of choice. Still, there is strong support for the use of the ebulliometer within the industry, and since the device has a solid reputation for producing accurate measurements, chances are that the ebulliometer will be around for many years to come.