Electric Parrot

[PeeGee]

Electric Parrot
I have an electric parrot that I purchased from Still Dragon Australia.
For the most part I am absolutely delighted to have a method of knowing the ABV of the product being distilled in real time.
What are other people's experience using this parrot?

[robdouglas]

EP has revolutionised our craft just like the Flute. I use both can't wait for the next generation.

[Expat]

I'm familiar with parrots, but what's an electric version?

Any pics of it in action?

[Swedish Pride]

there is a whole forum dedicated to it

[jonnys_spirit]

Looks cool but appears to essentially be a digital temp probe in the vapor path.

https://www.stilldragon.com.au/electric ... -full-kit/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Cheers!
-jonny

[Expat]

You're right, just a fancy thermometer. That's a shame I was hoping for something more interesting. Being able to read ABV in flowing or bottled distillate without smearing or glassware... I'd buy one.

[zed255]

Yes, looks like just a thermometer with selectable scaling. One could do similar with a simple panel meter and a temperature probe. The panel meter would require hacking its scaling voltage divider values (or use an industrial process meter that will scale in software, $$$) to read out in ABV or proof.

Interestingly, I've found very good correlation between the Hookline 'Ethanol-Water Phase Diagram' and my temperature readings. With a quick look at the temperature of the vapour and referencing a chart / graph I can quite accurately say what ABV is coming off the pipe.

[PeeGee]

I, like robdouglas, have found the Electric parrot one of the best ways of measuring ABV in real time not at the end of the distillation process.
It allows you to make adjustments on the spot as changes happen.
Interesting to know what the next generation of this device will/might be.
PeeGee

[richard1]

Has anyone the formulae for measuring ABV with respect to temperature.

[PeeGee]

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=30099#p7024977

The zip file on this page gives access to tables and graphs you may be looking for.

PeeGee

[Saltbush Bill]

Its pretty much the same as a non electronic parrot ....nether of them will improve the flavor of what comes out the end of your still. That job is still up to the Stiller , his / her understanding of the still , how they run it ...and their senses of taste n smell.

[LWTCS]

It simply extrapolates the direct relationship of vapor temp to ABV.
It's also pressure sensitive so it is responsive to elevation (sea level vs mountain top) changes.

The Electric Parrot gets the user closer to real time/on the fly abv readings because there is no lag with respect to having a remaining measure of distillate being trapped in the traditional parrot.
It may take 3 or 4 minutes to turn over 100% of the distillate that was rendered,,,,,3 or 4 minutes ago.

For me personally, this type of usefulness is best for operators running smaller kettle charges and trying to optimally identify for the sake of maximizing that hearts section that is most closely associated with neutral.

If your pot stilling or running minimal plates for flavor, that type of minutia is superfluous imo.

[richard1]

Thanks @PeeGee

I have seen the thread BUT I need to use a formula.

The formula I use within the PLC for display on the HMI where I first determine for ethanol, its azeo boiling point and secondly I need the ABV coming off the column where its at temperature.

The boiling point I have perfect but am not trusting my formula / equation for the ABV coming off.

[Yummyrum]

I suspect there is no formula and you will have to create a lookup table .

[zed255]

From the parent site:

T (in C) = 60.526 * %liq ^ 4 - 163.16 * %liq ^ 3 + 163.96 * %liq ^ 2 - 83.438 * %liq + 100

Located at the bottom of this page

Looks like it was derived by curve fitting to measured data.

[Mr Sippy]

Has anyone the formulae for measuring ABV with respect to temperature.

I recall a thread titled the 'unattended still'. It included functions for temp/abw and abw/abv relationships.

You can also use Thermosolver to calculate the mole fraction of vapor, which is what you want. Then convert to mass then volume. Its a messy calculation and you need an activity coefficient because of the non ideal nature of the wash. A lookup table seems easier.

Cheers

[still_stirrin]

Has anyone the formulae for measuring ABV with respect to temperature.

I recall a thread titled the 'unattended still'. It included functions for temp/abw and abw/abv relationships.

You can also use Thermosolver to calculate the mole fraction of vapor, which is what you want. Then convert to mass then volume. Its a messy calculation and you need an activity coefficient because of the non ideal nature of the wash. A lookup table seems easier.

Cheers

Or better yet....a “look at the table” where the still is setting. It is unadviseable to leave an operating still unattended at any time regardless of the degree of automation. Don’t do it!!!
ss

[sambedded]

Thanks @PeeGee

I have seen the thread BUT I need to use a formula.

The formula I use within the PLC for display on the HMI where I first determine for ethanol, its azeo boiling point and secondly I need the ABV coming off the column where its at temperature.

The boiling point I have perfect but am not trusting my formula / equation for the ABV coming off.

When you doing vapor/boiling temperature -> ABV you need to take an account atmospheric pressure. Otherwise results can be significantly skewed.

[richard1]

My PLC formulae do consider atmospheric pressure in the calculations .... more specifically the azeo boiling point