Distilling water

[Bushman]

Not sure it is worth it but my friend that has 40 acres in the San Juan Islands wants to distill water. He is for the most part off grid with solar power to a bank of batteries powering his cabin. I am taking my 5 gallon pot still that I use for gin out this weekend to show him how to distill. We will have to use his gas powered Honda Generator to run the submersible pond pump. I am also going for another shrimp opening as my main reasoning for boating. Will leave Wednesday after the 4th and be gone for 5 days. I am just thinking distilled water is not that expensive to buy and he doesn’t live out there full time that it might be cheaper to buy it and bring it out rather than make. He has two 500 gallon propane tanks he fills once a year but has to pay to have a propane truck brought out which I am guessing is more expensive.

[Deplorable]

Recently, at least in my neck of the woods, distilled water isn't always available at the store. I've began buying 2 to 3 gallons when it is in stock to ensure I have it for my batteries and CPAP.
I've considered distilling my own, but yeah, when it's in stock it just feels like too much of a task to distill my own.

[IAmPistolPete]

I would think it might be pretty feasible to build a DIY solar/evaporative-type unit and save the still for making booze

[The Baker]

Good one, Pistol Pete.

You have hit the target again.

Geoff

[bilgriss]

Water distills at a higher temperature than alcohol, and takes more energy. If it's being powered by a gas generator, I suspect that's some expensive water.

[contrahead]

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A tilted tray setup (for higher latitudes - where the sun tracks lower)

download/file.php?id=63925&mode=view

[Salt Must Flow]

A Reverse Osmosis unit with a Deionizing cartridge will make 0 TDS (total dissolved solids) water similar to distilled water. Using a 12V booster pump and two 75 gpd RO membranes will allow him to produce water at a rate of 150 gallons per day with no generator. The same RO unit without Deionizing will make anywhere from 0-5 TDS water at the same rate which is pure enough for most uses.

[Saltbush Bill]

Is there a reason that he couldn't just buy some roof guttering and a water tank , then rely on rain water Bushy ?
Seems more cost effective to me long term.

[Salt Must Flow]

^ ^ ^ I don't know anything about living on an island, but rain water collection sounds like it would be the 'go to' method of collecting water. I know a lot of people like the thought of distilled water because it supposedly removes everything from chemicals, bacteria/microorganisms, minerals and other common contaminants. Some aren't convinced that rain water is entirely pure and/or can contain certain contaminants.

Perhaps a shallow well could be achieved on an island. I suppose it depends on the geology of the island.

[SouthwestAl]

A Reverse Osmosis unit with a Deionizing cartridge will make 0 TDS (total dissolved solids) water similar to distilled water. Using a 12V booster pump and two 75 gpd RO membranes will allow him to produce water at a rate of 150 gallons per day with no generator. The same RO unit without Deionizing will make anywhere from 0-5 TDS water at the same rate which is pure enough for most uses.

Assuming the distilled water is for proofing down spirits, I would second this - get a RO unit. The 'waste' water can be recycled for grey water use and/or irrigation depending on what the original source water is like, and it would be far more feasible in terms of energy consumption.

[googe]

Is there a reason that he couldn't just buy some roof guttering and a water tank , then rely on rain water Bushy ?
Seems more cost effective to me long term.

ditto. and if he cant. a simple inline water filter system would be much cheaper than gas etc.

[Bushman]

I think he uses it for his house batteries and also he sleeps with a CPAP. Heading out later today will find out more information. I am guessing he just wants to see the process.

[EricTheRed]

Go with enough solar panels to drive a 2kw inverter to power a 1500 element.
Sun shined ...distilled water
Dw jugs full.... power something else

[jonnys_spirit]

If it can distill water it can strip likker?

Cheers,
j