condensing vapors to liquids

[Infinitebrainspace]

in context of a Potstill
when the vapor travels through the worm, do the heavier (water) vapors condense first, or seperately from the ethanol vapors, OR do all the vapors condense into liquid EXCACTLY at the same time?

If I were to cool the vapors to a given temperature (say 180 degrees F) would the water condense, and leave the ethanol / methanol / acetone / etc... in vapor form?

[Prairiepiss]

If I were to cool the vapors to a given temperature (say 180 degrees F) would the water condense, and leave the ethanol /methanol / acetone / etc... in vapor form?

No it doesn't work like that. If it did a cm still would be liked a lot better. And you would see everyone using one. The separation is on the evaporation or boiling side. Not the condensing side. That's why packed columns are used for purer alcohol retrieval. The vapors are condensed then sent back into the packing. Where they are reevaporated or reboiled. It is at that point the alcohols flash off first and those vapors move up. And the water falls back down.

I know not the most technical explanation. But you can read all about it if you want to know more.

[Infinitebrainspace]

Thank you for your info...
I see that in a reflux still, the water falls back into the still, and the alcohols continue up the column. I just wanted to know if you could trap the falling water and pipe it out of the still
without trapping the alcohols with it.
that would increase the ABV of the wash / beer in the still, or at least maintain the existing ABV as the alcohol left the still. I know I'm new at this, and I may be asking dumb questions.

[Prairiepiss]

Look LWTCS thumper tower. Look through the vids he posted. Mite get you thinking.