Foreshots and Re-Use

DaveAllen

I would like to take my foreshots and heads and clean them further, reduce the water content actually. I want pre-foreshots to use as a solvent in other applications.

How would you folk go about this.

Smaug

Hi Dave,

The most efficient method would be to utilize a multi-plated rectifying column. Either actual or theoretical plates.

For actual plates, the theoretical max would be 30 plates needed. However, there are plenty of examples of users being satisfied with a lesser plate count.

What kind of volumes are we talking about? What type of apparatus are you currently distilling with?

DaveAllen

I have a very basic pot still and a even more basic 50 lt keg and 1 m 3" Colum. Small quantities, 5 lt is fine, just want a lower water content, more Ethanol, methanol . propanol. Would like to get closer to shop bought kinda stuff. I would use it for firearms, leather curing and applications where stuff needs disolving in or with alcohols.

Smaug

Ah, ok.

Based on your answer, I'd say that a Vapor Management system with random packing material would be a good candidate for your needs.

How much ceiling height do you have to work with?

How do you currently heat your kettle?

DaveAllen

Colum 1 m outlet 20 cm from top ? if that helps. Thing is, can I distil it again at 80 + ABV or do I dilute and distil ?, but will it be any cleaner, purer than it is now, perhaps into the 90 Abv would be what i need? or will it come through again at almost the same ABV

grim

Dehydrate with a type 3a molecular sieve after rectification to the highest proof you can achieve. Keep your product well sealed in a container with minimal headspace as it will readily absorb water from the air.

This is far less complicated than it seems. Basically dumping granules in a jar, adding your product, waiting, decanting, then re-drying your sieve granules in a safe way (since they will release volatile vapor when heated) so you can reuse them.

DaveAllen

:-O I am outa my league

grim

Easier than making cookies.

CothermanDistilling

@grim said: Dehydrate with a type 3a molecular sieve after rectification to the highest proof you can achieve. Keep your product well sealed in a container with minimal headspace as it will readily absorb water from the air.

This is far less complicated than it seems. Basically dumping granules in a jar, adding your product, waiting, decanting, then re-drying your sieve granules in a safe way (since they will release volatile vapor when heated) so you can reuse them.

How much do I need for a 1000L tote of 185-190 feints that I currently use in an ethanol firepit or fireplace?

grim

Water holding capacity is about 35-40% on equivalent weight on the sieve. If you have a really high ester volume, that might seriously screw up this estimate as anything smaller than ethanol is going to stick.

Since you can regenerate the sieve, it doesn't make sense to buy a huge volume of it, instead focus on how much you burn, and use that as your cycle time.

Though if you are only just burning it, that much water is probably irrelevant.

One last side note, depending on the amount of the water and amount of sieve, it's going to get hot, quick. It's an exothermic reaction.

grim

On the heads processing, wonder if you'd do something like the cousins process to lime/salt out the heads first.