retort stand
{{Short description|Scientific equipment}}
In chemistry, a retort stand, also called a clamp stand,Laboratory-Equipment.com (2020): "[https://www.laboratory-equipment.com/large-clamp-stand-for-q700-5323-07.html Large Clamp Stand, for Q700]". Online catalog item 5323-07. Accessed on 202-02-18. a ring stand,{{cite web |url=http://www.mreisley.com/tutorials/equipment/supports.html |title=Ring Stand |access-date=2 April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304052129/http://www.mreisley.com/tutorials/equipment/supports.html |archive-date=4 March 2016}} or a support stand,Fischer Scientific (2020): "[https://www.fishersci.ca/shop/products/tripod-base-support-stands-3/s47809 American Educational Products Tripod Base Support Stands]" Online catalog entry S47809. Accessed on 202-02-18. is a piece of scientific equipment intended to support other pieces of equipment and glassware — for instance, burettes, test tubes and flasks.{{cite web |title=Ring Stands |url=http://www.orgchemboulder.com/Technique/Equipment/Communityequip/Ringstand.shtml |website=University of Colorado at Boulder, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry}}
The typical ring stand consists of a heavy base and a vertical rod, both usually made of metal. A number of accessories, such as clamps of various types and iron rings, can be attached to the rod by thumbscrews, at whatever heights and orientations are necessary to support the target equipment.
Structure
Retort stands commonly have a cast iron base of around 200 x 125 mm. The rod may be up to 750 mm and screws into a female thread in the base.{{cite web|title=General Laboratory Metalwares & Glasswares, etc. |url=http://www.chescientific.com/_export_pdf/P55_62.pdf |website=Che Scientific Co. |page=55}} The height of the rod is sufficient for most experiments and usually fits within fume hoods and glove boxes. If a taller rod is required, the solid base is usually replaced by a tripod for stability when supporting larger apparatuses, such as extremely large tubes, bulk chemical bottles etc. The height can be adjusted by moving the attached point of the given clamp to the stand. The base lowers the centre of gravity of the stand, thus increasing stability.{{Citation needed |date=August 2023}}
Uses
Retort stands are often used in the chemistry laboratory. For instance, they are used for distillation experiments (such as organic distillations) and titrations (where they hold a burette). They are also used as supports in filtration.{{Citation needed |date=August 2023}}
Gallery
File:Ringstand with a ring clamp.jpg|Retort stand with a utility clamp
File:Ringstand.jpg|Retort stand with a burette clamp
File:Ring stand.jpg|Steel rod