Comments required on a oil extractor...

[DirtyKa$h]

Hey fellow nutralisers,

i bought this recently at a garage sale, $50.00.

i believe it is used for essentilal oil production.

It is well built and fits perfectly onto a demijohn although my concerns are with the powder coated finish.

it didnt come with instructions so any advice on running ,connecting and other applications for this apperatus would be a real help.

it has written on a sticker "Enviro Xtractor" " Australian made. with a patent #.

i have googled but to no avail...

thanks in advance for your help,

D$

[absinthe]

looks kinda like one o these http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soxhelet" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[DirtyKa$h]

i ran this like a still today,

i ran 86% through it , it returned 92%.

the powder coating on the inside of the chamber has started to bubble...

i'm concearned and a little confused, why would they powder coat this if it is going to come in contact with high % ?

also, they use clear plastic tube at various points in the vapour/distillate path.

i know this is specifically an "Enviro Xtractor" for extracting oils, but 90-99% ethanol is what you would use as the solvent for this?
and you would operate it at the temps i did today to extract oil...

any comments?

D$

[Rudi]

I dont know about oil extraction but I wouldn't drink anything that came outta that

[absinthe]

you normally use water in essential oil extraction

[rad14701]

I wondered how well that unit would hold up with hot high percentage alcohol vapors contacting that coating... There's a big difference between water, essential oils, and high ABV alcohol...

[DirtyKa$h]

I wondered how well that unit would hold up with hot high percentage alcohol vapors contacting that coating... There's a big difference between water, essential oils, and high ABV alcohol...

there is a huge difference...

still have not worked it out but i will not be running high % through it again...

if it was made for water extraction i'm quiet emmbarresed and glad to still be alive.

can we delete this post?

[rad14701]

can we delete this post?

Nope... Don't be embarrassed by your mistakes... This thread needs to remain as it is a good learning example for others just as it was a good learning experience for you... It's okay to say "oops"...It's even better to know why it was an "oops"...

[DirtyKa$h]

yeah i agree,

i enjoyed myself!! 4 hours out in the shed...

i monitored and recorded both hot plate temps and vaqpour temps, also documenting what happened to the high % Alc. as temp increases, it was great to see what goes on during operation.

it was a great experiment, even better that i'm still alive!

out of intrest, the hot plate temp reached 220 degrees c. the demijohn of H%ALC was placed ontop and connected to the apperatus;

Q. at what degree whould 92 % vapours ignite/combust/flashpoint?

any knowledge appreciated,

D$;)

[BW Redneck]

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol for pure ethanol.

Flash point 286.15 K (13 °C or 55.4 °F)

Yeah, we're sorta boiling almost gasoline here (and some over a gas flame ), but nothing should occur unless:

a) Your still leaks hot vapor. Make sure that all of the system is gas tight. (but the outlet/condenser isn't blocked)
b) A blockage occurs.
c) High proof condensate splashes onto the burner.
d) Someone handles burning spirit stupidly.

Always keep a fire extinguisher at the ready and near the door, so that you'll be heading the right direction if something catches fire. Safety can't be stressed enough in this art.

[DirtyKa$h]

i must point out it was on an electric hot plate, not open flame....\


D$

[Fim]

They are made to make essential oils and absolutes, yes they are made to withstand solvents you can fractional and reflux in