Decantation

[3] In laboratory situations, decantation of mixtures containing solids and liquids occur in test tubes.

To enhance productivity, test tubes should be placed at a 45° angle to allow sediments to settle at the bottom of the apparatus.

[4] A centrifuge machine may also be used in decantation as the natural process of settling down is time-consuming and tedious.

[3] Then the liquid can be more easily poured away, as the precipitate will tend to remain in its compressed form.

Decantation is frequently used to purify a liquid by separating it from a suspension of insoluble particles (e.g. in red wine, where the wine is decanted from the potassium bitartrate crystals to avoid unsavory taste).

[10] The process of deriving vinegar also requires decantation to remove fats and biomolecular antioxidants from the raw substance.