I need some serious help

[Safeside]

I have made a 2" column reflux type of still. I am using a propane turkey fryer for heat. My problem is, the result is similiar to kerosene. It does burn blue, and after filtering it thru charcol it does take some of the kerosene flavor out of it. If I mix it with water, it tastes like watered down kerosene. I used 5 gal water, 10 lbs sugar and a brewers fast acting yeast. I mixed the ingredients and allowed them to ferment inside a container with a air lock. I then added them to the still raised the heat to approx 175 f and the result was... as I described. What am I doing wrong? I have joined several forums, but they don't appear to be very active...

Thanks for reading

[LeftLaneCruiser]

.... What am I doing wrong? ...

You should distill a sugar wash instead of diesel fuel.

KJH

[Safeside]

Is there a recipe for diesel fuel, maybe it would come out better I have tried other concotions but the result was still....kerosene

[booger]

I don't know the chemistry behind this...but I've read of a few folks who have had problems distilling pure sugar washes and it having a blue tint or an off taste. I'm not a sugar wash person, but sugar wash recipes I've seen usually have more than just sugar (some include tomatoe paste), I'm assuming for nutrients.

Assuming your still was properly cleaned, try a different recipe...

[linw]

Ok, more info needed. The first thing to get right is the ferment. You didn't say whether you added nutrient for the yeast to eat. I use a turbo yeast packet so I know that everything that is needed is there.

Secondly, give us some more details of your still. How long is the column, what is it packed with, what management scheme do you use (liquid, cooling or vapour management).

Thirdly, some details of the run. How hard was the wash boiling? At what rate was the distillate coming out? Was it dripping, running, steam spurty? Did you separate heads and tails? How much in heads, main and tails?

That's enough for now, but you see that no one can really help unless you supply lots of details.

[Josesillo]

maybe your problem s the charcoal. what kind are you using?

if you are using plain BBQ charcoal ready to light there is your problem it does have kerosene and there is no way to remove the taste.
but if instead you're using activated carbon or fish tank filtering carbon there sould be no kerosene flavour.

[Safeside]

First, thanks for answering, to everyone.

The charcol is activated charcol, in addition I have ran it thru a brita filter.

The yeast that I used had a protein contained with the yeast, I can't remember the product name,(similiar to turbo yeast) but it was purchased at a home brewer store. I did not use, any tomato paste, I have read that it is included in some recipes, but I did not know the specifics of why.

The column starts at 2 1/2" X 12 ", reduces to 2" X24" (the column is packed with marbles) then reduced to 1" and a 45 degree angle to the cooling tube. I am running water thru a larger tube surrounding the smaller tube which comes from the column (this tube is 3 ft long) I found the plans on the internet. It is copper pipe, just in case you were wondering.

Initially the distillate was coming out as a steady stream and the liquid was clear, it then clouds up. I have been removing the heads and the tails. Using a 5 gal wash, I remove a cup for the heads and a cup for the tails, the main distillate is only about 2 qts.

Details, I am the one asking for help. I will supply all of the details that are needed to help me get help... huh, if I are smart enuf

Thanks again

[Safeside]

OK, I have emptied the marbles and purcvhased copper scrubbers that will replace the marbles. I guess, I have lost my marbles.

Thanks

[booger]

I guess, I have lost my marbles.

Welcome to the group.

[LeftLaneCruiser]

Is there a recipe for diesel fuel, maybe it would come out better

Safeside,

Might wanna read this:
http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel.html

KJH