Home Distiller

Can I recycle a "all" Copper Internal Reflux Still that was used for methanol recovery (from a biodiesel process) to now make Potato Vodka?

Here is what I have done to it so far:
- Discarded the pot and built another.
- Cleaned the internal tubing in the same way that you would clean a Shotgun (Brushes and rags soaked in CLR).
- Discarded the packing and replaced with new 100% pure copper packing.
- Ran steam thru it several times.

High pressure 2" copper pipe (expensive) with Lead Free solder are the only components that remain that were in contact with the Methanol during the BioDiesel process.

Still too scared to use it. Should I just throw it out?

Bill

Just my $0.02.

Safety is paramount in this hobby -- you have to be comfortable with your equipment and right now it doesn't seem you are. If it were me, I'd use it. I've made biodiesel before and I don't feel you are putting yourself at any additional risks reclaiming this equipment. If you feel stongly about reusing the piece(s) then start over and put your mind at ease.

Welcome to HD (relax -- it'll come with time)

ww

I think I would have done a simple cleaning process of vinegar runs and sac runs until the product runs clean. Or is there something in the original process that I'm missing?

tp

In the Methanol Recovery process I was getting a continuous run of 95% methanol for hours at a time. Straight meth all day long.

So what exactly I am scared of (????) - pure meth leaching into the copper or solder? Or? Residual?

I think it is safe the more I think about it?? Right? Lol.

(What does "sac run" mean. How would I do the vinegar? Boil it?)

bburton

bburton wrote:What does "sac run" mean. How would I do the vinegar? Boil it?

I'll give you the answers to these two questions on one condition...as a new distiller of hobby-level drink it is considered "required reading" to study the links in my signature. Doing so will answer many of the questions you'll have before you have them and keep you from being taken to task by some of the more brusque members here. Ok?

The vinegar run is a mix of 50/50 water and vinegar...essentially a hot acid bath. The sacrificial run is a mix of any kind of cheap ethanol you can find (crappy vodka, cheap wine, etc.) that cleans even deeper to rid the interior of stuff the vinegar run misses and begins the "seasoning" process. This is completely disposed of at the end.

The rest is up to you.

Be safe and welcome to HD!

tp

*rockchucker posted while I was being more verbose*

Heard of folks making a column from old shit pipe.

I'd do the standard series of cleaning runs and call it acceptable.

bearriver wrote:Heard of folks making a column from old shit pipe.

I'd do the standard series of cleaning runs and call it acceptable.

That be me. Was a pita to clean, but it was free

Thanks T-Pee. I'll read every word, and try to research as best I can before I post.

And thanks everyone else - you have convinced me to clean and re-use my still.

bburton

.02 Get a lead test kit and test all the joints.