Search found 154 matches

by dougyethanol
Mon Jun 15, 2020 12:34 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: my vacuum still build
Replies: 22
Views: 6269

Re: my vacuum still build

Hi guys, i haven't stilled for quite sometime, back into it now. Alot of good safety tips above and definitely make sure you have a good glass vessel, steel is safer! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXRFqoDGcgs Not endorsing it but make up your own mind, that was cheap glass. Laboratories use glass....
by dougyethanol
Thu Nov 28, 2019 12:07 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: my vacuum still build
Replies: 22
Views: 6269

Re: my vacuum still build

Thanks for replies. manu, i run a 2200 watt still(no vacuum) and the vacuum still at around 400 watts on max(pwm/temp controlled). i havent converted my results to j/g.k as that is a bit beyond me. I get high 30s degrees celcius where i live, i can boil without any heat added at all so that would ha...
by dougyethanol
Fri Aug 16, 2019 1:53 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: my vacuum still build
Replies: 22
Views: 6269

Re: my vacuum still build

In the first picture you will see there is no joint to tighten, the oring at top is about 1/2 inch thick, which is sandwiched between steel bowl and glass. The seal only happens when vacuum is applied, its the same at boiler end. If any leak happens lids release and boil instantly disappears, i boil...
by dougyethanol
Thu Aug 15, 2019 5:08 pm
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: my vacuum still build
Replies: 22
Views: 6269

Re: my vacuum still build

Otis has touched on a very important part of vac still. Leaks! When it is sealed well, runs smoothly. Once the system is put under vacuum and you have no leaks, there is no need to run vac pump during distillation. The way i checked mine for leaks, being glass, was to vac it and turn off valve, disc...
by dougyethanol
Thu Aug 15, 2019 3:09 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: my vacuum still build
Replies: 22
Views: 6269

Re: my vacuum still build

My boiler vessel. I have been running it in an oil bath which is good for lower concentrations of ethanol.
20190618_103227.jpg
Its smaller than receiving vessel, less vacuum instability achieved this way.
by dougyethanol
Thu Aug 15, 2019 2:45 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: my vacuum still build
Replies: 22
Views: 6269

Re: my vacuum still build

20190705_164651.jpg
my receiving vessel.
Its a stainless steel pet food bowl with outer edge cut off with a large rubber o ring from Bunnings(Aussie hardware store) to seal it.
one brass fitting is the fluid in line, the other is the vacuum inlet which gets charged before distillation.
by dougyethanol
Thu Aug 15, 2019 1:49 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: my vacuum still build
Replies: 22
Views: 6269

my vacuum still build

I have been working on a vacuum setup, Its like learning to distill all over again. Great power savings can be achieved as you need less heat to boil ethanol with minute power to obtain vacuum. Its a work in progress, i have a working model but needs more work. I will post pics and updates as i work...
by dougyethanol
Thu Jul 04, 2019 1:39 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: shotgun condensor mini
Replies: 7
Views: 1962

Re: shotgun condensor mini

Video of condensor in action.
https://youtu.be/P9bnDmXWKwU
by dougyethanol
Mon Jun 24, 2019 1:14 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: shotgun condensor mini
Replies: 7
Views: 1962

Re: shotgun condensor mini

Dougy , I think the twisted pipes are a good idea as it will assist turbulance in the coolant jacket .I did a similar twist on my shotty . Nice shotty! I totally agree and think the same is true on the inside with vapor. But I have to say ,the internal area of 1/4” is pretty small and without doing ...
by dougyethanol
Thu Jun 20, 2019 2:25 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: shotgun condensor mini
Replies: 7
Views: 1962

Re: shotgun condensor mini

20190610_104221 2.jpg
20190610_114519 2.jpg
20190620_191921 2.jpg
by dougyethanol
Thu Jun 20, 2019 2:16 am
Forum: Condensers/Cooling Methods
Topic: shotgun condensor mini
Replies: 7
Views: 1962

shotgun condensor mini

Ive made a shotgun style condenser at 19mm/3/4" outer tube.
Here are the parts.
20190610_093614 2.jpg
2 tees,2 sleeves, 2 reducers,i length 3/4 pipe, 3 lengths 1/4 pipe(twisted) and 2 caps with 3 holes drilled.
by dougyethanol
Sat Apr 27, 2019 11:25 pm
Forum: Alcohol as Fuel
Topic: Alcohol Fuel Permit
Replies: 1
Views: 2369

Re: Alcohol Fuel Permit

Depends on which part of the world!
Where were you thinking?
by dougyethanol
Sat Apr 20, 2019 4:29 am
Forum: Alcohol as Fuel
Topic: anhydrous ethanol as a fuel
Replies: 13
Views: 4744

Re: anhydrous ethanol as a fuel

The main reason i blended ethanol into my motorbike fuel is temperature! It has high compression(standard) and it would mostly blurt coolant out the overflow, just as my 351 Cleveland would on shut down. I live in a tropical area so heat is an issue, it gets hot! it hasn't blurted on ethanol, the sp...
by dougyethanol
Thu Apr 18, 2019 1:19 am
Forum: Alcohol as Fuel
Topic: anhydrous ethanol as a fuel
Replies: 13
Views: 4744

Re: anhydrous ethanol as a fuel

91 octane is the lowest you'll find in Australian stations, e 10 usually is 94 octane, my 3litre v6 Mitsubishi runs much better on this as opposed to 91 ron(it knocks at low rpm). I make fuel for my dirt bike, it is not worth doing it for my car, bike has an 8 litre tank. My bike Yam wr450f runs ave...
by dougyethanol
Mon Apr 15, 2019 12:51 am
Forum: Alcohol as Fuel
Topic: anhydrous ethanol as a fuel
Replies: 13
Views: 4744

Re: anhydrous ethanol as a fuel

Cloudy after molecular sieves
Cloudy after molecular sieves
Left over waste after final distillation
Left over waste after final distillation
Final reading
Final reading
Ethanol on bottom ,gasoline on top
Ethanol on bottom ,gasoline on top
Turn upside down then up to mix
Turn upside down then up to mix
Final product Gasohol!
Final product Gasohol!
by dougyethanol
Mon Apr 01, 2019 5:08 pm
Forum: Alcohol as Fuel
Topic: anhydrous ethanol as a fuel
Replies: 13
Views: 4744

Re: anhydrous ethanol as a fuel

Du Pont tried to convince the Government to go with methanol and not eth, but Brazil had some poisoning issues with the public using mentholated gas, so that never got off the ground. Australian government makes companies put poison in ethanol as they would prefer to kill their citizens for avoidin...
by dougyethanol
Mon Apr 01, 2019 5:02 pm
Forum: Alcohol as Fuel
Topic: anhydrous ethanol as a fuel
Replies: 13
Views: 4744

Re: anhydrous ethanol as a fuel

I haven't tried anhydrous ethanol yet. But my 70 year old tractor runs great on 90% ethanol and 10% water. It just doesn't seem logical to mix ethanol and gasoline. I did read somewhere that 85% eth/15 gas (also known as gasahol) 95% was fine and more water at higher ratios was possible as you have...
by dougyethanol
Mon Apr 01, 2019 2:01 am
Forum: Alcohol as Fuel
Topic: anhydrous ethanol as a fuel
Replies: 13
Views: 4744

anhydrous ethanol as a fuel

I have been testing fuels with blending ethanol with premium pump fuel. First tests were with azeotrope blends. I found that anything leaner than 2/3 eth to 1/3 pulp would result in separation/cloudy juice. The 2/3 blend burned clean. The leaner mixes would produce more smoke and you could see the w...
by dougyethanol
Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:30 am
Forum: Alcohol as Fuel
Topic: 1 acre of land..what to grow..ethanol produced?
Replies: 31
Views: 9872

Re: 1 acre of land..what to grow..ethanol produced?

theres a few here who seem to know a bit about bees, i was wondering how much honey do they produce and over what time frame?
by dougyethanol
Wed Mar 21, 2012 6:06 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: Typical UJSSM sprit run?
Replies: 4
Views: 1148

Re: Typical UJSSM sprit run?

im no ujssm expert but i can tell you my collection is roughly one third heads, one third hearts(80%-70%), one third tails(i run down to around 95c vapour 30%). your tails do seem to drop off quickly and your mention of drips then streams suggests you may have a huffing condensor or something else g...
by dougyethanol
Wed Nov 09, 2011 4:14 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Turbo 500 blues!!?
Replies: 48
Views: 11863

Re: Turbo 500 blues!!?

i dont know if prairiepiss has ever been called mr piss before :lol: :lol: i enjoyed reading this thread and it also makes me a little nervous, you and explosive ethanol vapour together in the same room. stay safe bad andy, youll get there, and if im in canada i'll have to stop in and have a drink w...
by dougyethanol
Wed Nov 09, 2011 3:47 am
Forum: Safety and Related Issues
Topic: using rubber
Replies: 16
Views: 1955

Re: using rubber

vin@r welcome to hd.
perhaps you can give hd an introduction(welcome centre) where your at eg. have built, in the process of, id like to make rum...
where do you want to use this rubber.
by dougyethanol
Wed Nov 09, 2011 3:36 am
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Good Day from the GWN
Replies: 4
Views: 492

Re: Good Day from the GWN

welcome Mijkv, got any pictures of your pot still, hope its nice and shiney, the guys here love shiney copper..
bit concerned about the semidrinkable stuff. what happened - what you distilling?
by dougyethanol
Wed Nov 09, 2011 3:30 am
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: New fella here
Replies: 18
Views: 818

Re: New fella here

hi there slowninja. welcome to hd. whatya buy off ebay. showus some pics or the link to it.
we could tell you things you dont want to hear or ways to make it better or what may work well with it.
coming here(hd) is a good step. plenty helpful members/good advice.
by dougyethanol
Wed Oct 26, 2011 1:17 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: Turbo 500 blues!!?
Replies: 48
Views: 11863

Re: Turbo 500 blues!!?

from what ive seen of this still the vapour temp is controlled by the temp of the water at outlet. the water flow is adjusted to acheive this and is very minute in adjustment to get it right, someone flushing a toilet will lower the mains water pressure in the house which is enough to throw it out o...
by dougyethanol
Thu Sep 22, 2011 2:09 am
Forum: The Construction Site
Topic: First VM build
Replies: 11
Views: 2847

Re: First VM build

lookin good madsf. one thing i would do is support the condensor - make it a bit more rigid. i take it youll be wrapping her up too(insulation).
you got your new element yet, you must be pretty keen to give her a run. happy stillin.
by dougyethanol
Tue Aug 30, 2011 12:17 am
Forum: Alcohol as Fuel
Topic: 1 acre of land..what to grow..ethanol produced?
Replies: 31
Views: 9872

Re: 1 acre of land..what to grow..ethanol produced?

how about grapes on an acre. 1-1.2kg of grapes make a 750ml bottle of wine.
i'm guessing you can get 5kg a vine, times by x makes alot of wine at 10%.
by dougyethanol
Sun Aug 07, 2011 2:42 am
Forum: My First .....
Topic: First run fail!
Replies: 5
Views: 1822

Re: First run fail!

the first thing that pops into my head is the 4 litres in a 25 litre boiler.
where about is the elment placed - as in if its at the top of the wash youd get poor thermal absorption.
another box of wine or adding extra water to boiler may help.
by dougyethanol
Sun Aug 07, 2011 1:03 am
Forum: Off-Topic Discussion
Topic: Day six of my magnificent adventure.
Replies: 53
Views: 3438

Re: Day six of my magnificent adventure.

sounds real nice MR, i love boating, enjoy your trip. what sort of boat are you on, sail or motor?
by dougyethanol
Sun Aug 07, 2011 12:57 am
Forum: Resources and Reviews
Topic: Brazing copper to stainless - video
Replies: 3
Views: 863

Re: Brazing copper to stainless - video

thanks for the link, good vid. - how cooool is that induction heater, hate to see the price tag.. :thumbup: