Trouble with operating Charles 803 still
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 3:04 pm
I've just fired this still up to make my own ethanol fuel.
I've been running E85 in my boat for several years.
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... 00x600.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
It made 1800 hp on E85.
I got the still up to temp and operated it for an hour or so.
There was a significant amount of steam coming out the runoff vent from the bottom bubbler section.
I got 90% ethanol out of the top condenser section and 67% ethanol out of the runoff section.
I followed the plans closely and don't know where I screwed up.
A lot of the ethanol steam that should be going up the column is coming from the runoff vent that comes from the very bottom of the still.
Should I restrict the runoff line down to 1/4" ?
I have the automatic water valve and it seems to be working fine. It cycles on and off at 173 *
I have a unique situation with my mash solution as it has already been distilled to 50% by a local farmer that makes it from waste beer.
I have 100 gallons of that 50% solution in a 200 gallon stainless tank.
I made this still a year ago and polished it all up and up until now it was just a conversation piece,

Thanks for any input.
Mark
I've been running E85 in my boat for several years.
http://i621.photobucket.com/albums/tt29 ... 00x600.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
It made 1800 hp on E85.
I got the still up to temp and operated it for an hour or so.
There was a significant amount of steam coming out the runoff vent from the bottom bubbler section.
I got 90% ethanol out of the top condenser section and 67% ethanol out of the runoff section.
I followed the plans closely and don't know where I screwed up.
A lot of the ethanol steam that should be going up the column is coming from the runoff vent that comes from the very bottom of the still.
Should I restrict the runoff line down to 1/4" ?
I have the automatic water valve and it seems to be working fine. It cycles on and off at 173 *
I have a unique situation with my mash solution as it has already been distilled to 50% by a local farmer that makes it from waste beer.
I have 100 gallons of that 50% solution in a 200 gallon stainless tank.
I made this still a year ago and polished it all up and up until now it was just a conversation piece,

Thanks for any input.
Mark