Alcohol question or two

Safeside · Post by **Safeside** » Fri Oct 21, 2005 12:33 pm

I had marbles (lost them), went to copper scrubbers and when I went to clean them....filthy. So I regrouped, got rid of all of the packing and shortened the column retained the condenser. I am still getting 100 proof on the first run. I guess my first question is, why? I thought I would need the refux action to increase the alcohol content? I have ran the tails thru again and on the second run I get 120/130. To achieve ethanol for auto use, do I need to continue to distill, it would seem after so long this could become dangerous **boom** The recipe is listed on this site, sweet grain, 5 gallons. I am so glad this site (forum) is back.

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Sat Oct 22, 2005 2:59 pm

not sure where u are safeside, but for automotive u need it stronger how strong depends on what form of alco fueling ur going for, here in the uk sugar is like £1 a kg,, but an option is potatoes they have a high starch content n cost £3.50 for a 25 kg bag. They also make for a low space high yeald crop.
Re-distillin isnt anymore dangerous than distillin over 100 proof, at 100 ur flamable...

for more info check this thread http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=228

Safeside · Post by **Safeside** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 11:08 am

I have read the link provided (thanks), and I am aware that I am going to have to increase the alcohol percentage. I just ain't sure how, is re-distilling the answer, I don't know.

I am in the US and can legally make fuel, now, I know that all of this 120 stuff is trash (not good for fuel) so I guess I will have to dispose of it.

Potato's, hmm, that sounds interesting, I will check the Faq for a recipe, who knows, it might just make more waste. If this waste fuel was diluted to what 50%, 60% or is it just personal preferance?

linw · Post by **linw** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:21 pm

If the 'waste' product was diluted to 60% it is not the only thing that would be wasted!! Mostly, we dilute to around 40% but different strokes for different folks.

Brett · Post by **Brett** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 12:26 pm

collect the output from ur still,, empty the boiler of the old crap,, throw the collected output into the boiler, run again, the output will be stronger.

Jaxom · Post by **Jaxom** » Mon Oct 24, 2005 7:25 pm

Safeside,

While I may not be an expert, or even half as knowledgable as others here, perhaps we can help if you described your setup more. What kind of wash, yeast, how tall is your column, how fast you collect, ect.... all these things will affect the final outcome.

Jaxx

Safeside · Post by **Safeside** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:29 am

My setup is a gas turkey fryer, a copper lid with 2.5 inch copper pipe which is 2 ft long, this is then reduced to a 2 inch copper pipe which is now only5 inches long, this is reduced to 1 inch and a 1 inch tee tops the column (the top of the tee was to be used for a thermometer) the 1 inch pipe flows thru a water jacket for 3 feet, where I reduced this again to 1/2 inch. I had used marbles as packing and replaced that with copper scrubbers, however, I removed those as well and can tell no difference. The section of the column that is 2 in copper pipe, was 1 1/2 feet long, I changed it when I removed the packing and can still tell no change.

The wash was a sweet grain wash as described in the faq, the yeast was not a turbo, I purchased it from a home brewery store. The heat is consistent, temperature is unknown. I heat until I receive output, and then lower the heat, I collect about 1 pint every 30 minutes.

I have been considering replacing the tee with a 1/2 inch 90 degree elbow/45 degree elbow. I am not sure what this would accomplish, but I am thinking it would restrict the output and increase the percentage.

More than happy to receive help, any and all is appreciated.
Jaxom, did I forget anything?

Post by **Grayson_Stewart** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 12:50 pm

Changing from 1" tee to 1/2" 90 bend will do nothing but increase the speed the vapor travels through your condensor. Sounds like you are running a pot still cause I don't see anything about reflux return lines. If this is so, then you need to turn down the heat like Holy said in order to allow your vapor a chance to condense and fall back down a packed column. Thats where you will get greater purity.

Safeside · Post by **Safeside** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 4:03 pm

Yes I get a pretty good stream coming out, so I will try to slow it down. It started out as a reflux still and it still have the column and the condensor, so I don't know what to call it.

Thanks for the info, I will be giving it a go and will be back with results, later