Yeast affecting purity?

GudDaddy · Post by **GudDaddy** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:22 am

Question...

Does the yeast somehow affect the final purity?

I am using AlcoBase Extreme with sugar, doing a stripping run with no reflux and then doing a final run with the bottom half of the col packed with ceramic rings and the top half with copper mesh. The col is a 2" x 3' commercial version. I collected the amount I thought I should based on the wash but the best purity I could get was 170 proof. The run took 12 hours..is this about 'normal'? I can't really increase the water flow much but I do keep the resorvoir cool with ice and my burner is so low it is almost going out.. Do I really need to do a 16 hour run to get 190+ proof?

Thoughts?

Post by **HookLine** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 11:35 am

Try ditching the saddles, and packing all the column with mesh.

And yes, high proof takes time, ain't no way around that except to use a wider column. I take off 95% at around 600 ml an hour. What rate were you taking off at?

EDIT: 'saddles' = ceramic rings.

showrguy · Post by **showrguy** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 12:28 pm

what are your temperatures and where ??
do you have your column insulated ??
if not, deffinately do it, HUGE difference..

guddaddy · Post by **guddaddy** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 1:13 pm

Thanks for the reply's...

The head temp was holding around 79.6 for a long time. I was taking off about 1500 to 2000 ml an hour to start and then it slowed down some. I do not have my col insulated, but will do so. I assume that helps keep the col temp from fluctuating after it reachs equilibrium?

showrguy · Post by **showrguy** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 1:53 pm

not sure about your setup, but if your head temp is being taken as the vapor enters the condenser your temps. are pretty close.....
and yes the insulation will eliminate the fluctuation caused by external elements (wind, draft, cold, ect.)
your vapor will be much more happy about where it's going, so when it's happy it will reward you with higher %"s....... you'll see..
let us know the results....good luck

Post by **HookLine** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 2:49 pm

Drop your take off rate, insulate the column, and use all mesh packing. Should get you there.

tracker0945 · Post by **tracker0945** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:17 pm

You dont mention how large your starting volume in the kettle is and the abv of your wash and that will determine how long your run will take but 2000mls per hour is pretty fast take-off rate to expect a high proof result. The fastest I can do at the start of a run is around 90%abv or 180 proof at about 1000mls per hour or a bit less but that soon slows down to 600 - 800 mls per hour for the majority of the run to obtain the highest purity.
Cheers

guddaddy · Post by **guddaddy** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:17 am

Very Nice!

Removed the rings and packed with all copper, insulated the col and the % coming out is 92%. Had roughly 30L mixed with 3 gallons water so it took a long time. Actually shut it down after 14 hours and restarted and finished the next day. Very pleased with results. The only 'observation' from the Primary Squeeze is that the product has a slight licorice aroma/taste. I am thinking I had too much unconverted sugar in the wash when I did the stipping run?

Post by **HookLine** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:58 am

guddaddy wrote: Primary Squeeze

You mean you've got a secondary one as well?

Don't worry, your secret is safe with us.

Happy distilling.

Dunderhead · Post by **Dunderhead** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 9:03 pm

IT also makes a difrince how much %alc is in your wash
to start with

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