Build a Lab Quality (ish) Distillation Apparatus.

There are a few Instructables out there on how to create stills for various purposes. Usually these include a large amount of small diameter, flexible copper refrigerator tubing. While these stills can be quite effective, there is just something a little hokey about them. Especially the part where you run a large amount of expensive copper tubing through a bucket of standing water to cool the condensate. Then there's the issue of a high surface area on the interior of the tubing, which makes small volume distillations difficult to impossible. Plus they're bulky, unwieldy, and they look like a meth lab. I do have to give the authors of these projects some credit however, since DIY is typically about getting the job done, form follows function, etc etc. BUT...

I say there is a better way.

By using a small amount of 1/2" and 3/4" copper pipe, it is possible to build a lightweight, compact, collapsible, interchangeable, universal distillation apparatus for anything you could possibly hope to distill. The apparatus featured here is capable of efficient low to medium volume distillations and could in principle be scaled for use in high volume applications. It is constructed from relatively inexpensive parts which are available at any hardware store.

UPDATE 10/27/2011: If you find the start-up costs for this project to be prohibitive, I recommend this instructable.

I was inspired to build a distillation apparatus during an organic chemistry lab where we were required to identify an unknown organic solvent by IR spectroscopy. The samples they gave use weren't pure and we had to distill them first so the IR machine could get a good spectrum. This apparatus is modeled after the one I used in that lab. In the lab the apparatus was made of lab quality glassware. Since I don't know how to work with glass, and I DO have experience remodeling houses, I decided to combine my experiences to make an affordable, clean, safe, glass alternative distillation apparatus.

So. Now I've got your attention. Read on, my friend.

Step 1 Safety, Legality, and Disclaimer.

Ugh. I really hate this part. Can't I just ask you guys to be smart and leave it at that? Ok, here we go!

SAFETY:
This project requires the use of tools and equipment that may be HAZARDOUS if handled improperly. Soldering of copper pipe requires the use of an open propane flame that can cause severe burns and fires. Never point a propane jet at anyone or leave one unattended for any period of time. HOT metal looks like COLD metal.

Distillation is a method of separating liquids that are in solution together, often as a form of purification. However, only proper, professional testing can positively identify the constituents of a given distillate. If you are purifying comestibles, DRINK AT YOUR OWN RISK.

UPDATE 10/27/2011:
DO NOT use lead solder.
DO NOT use this to distill hydrogen peroxide or any other potentially explosive chemical.
DO NOT allow blockages to form in the distillation pot outlets.
DO NOT use radioactive materials as fractionating column filler.
RESEARCH aluminum and decide for yourself whether it poses any danger.

LEGALITY:
In my own backwards country where the vestiges of prohibition are still rampant, it's illegal to manufacture certain distillates without a permit for the still in question. We'll just leave it at that. I don't think it's a problem to distill anything else, but I haven't checked so don't take my word for it. If you're in a country that allows it, then I highly suggest the HomeDistiller where you will find the finer points of ethanol production described in beautiful detail. The same principles apply to ethanol used for fuel, but as mentioned in the comments section, a still must still be registered to distill fuel. Still.

UPDATE 10/28/2011:
Please visit TTBgov for more information about US law regarding the use of a distillation apparatus. Basically, they make it impossible for a regular person to distill liquor. Producing fuel ethanol is somewhat do-able. All other distillations are ok.

DISCLAIMER:
This Instructable is provided for entertainment only and should not be used as a source of official information by anyone. Any and all damages incurred by the implementation of the information in this publication are the sole responsibility of the end user.

Comments

[dacuna01]

This pressure fitting is gas tight? Does the lid just jam tight against the edges of the copper female adapter?

[aeternusjunk]

Sorry for the slow reply. There is a very small amount of leakage when using the fractionating column, about as much as what escapes from the emergency pressure release thingy (to use the technical term). I may seal this with epoxy at some point but it hasn't been a big problem so far.

[shantinath1000]

A very old school way of sealing small gaps in a still was to mix a dough of just flour and water and use the paste to seal any small holes- the advantage to this is that it is non-toxic- when you are done wash it of and reapply next time- no risk of hot liquids/ gasses/ being affecting the epoxy or the epoxy contaminating your process.

[aeternusjunk]

Actually I tried this method. I must not have done it right because it didn't work very well. I was probably supposed to let it dry. I get a little frantic and impatient at the end of a project. I'll have to try it again next time.

[sschoemann]

The best thing about the "green energy movement in the US, is that they have lifted the prohibition on nome distilling alcohol, as long as it us used for fuel purposes mind you...

[baronbrian]

Actually I believe you still have to register with the ATF and pay fees to do any distillation of alcohol. Before going ahead with distilling anything, even if you are just using it for fuel, I'd double check with the ATF because there is no difference between a rig for making fuel and one for making drinking alcohol.

[007ians]

I've done some research into the distillation subject because of my son's
interest. It is illegal to do any distillation at home for any purpose
unless you buy a distillation permit from the government to
"distill fuel." The information that I gathered was, In Illinois it cost
$3600.00 for a permit for fuel distillation for one (1) year. No
individual is allowed to distill spirits for their personal or any other
use. You can make beer and wine to your hearts content, but distillation
will end in trouble. The main reasoning that was given was the government
claims that you will get lead poising. They think the public is still
using car radiator to use as a condenser.

[cheesphht]

The main reason would be ... tax money. If people really were free and they acted so freely as to actually do something that man has been doing for thousands of years then they gov't types wouldn't have the power to tell them what to do and what not to do and to have a nice cushy gov't job and benefits because there wouldn't be tax dollars enough to go around.

[007ians]

I believe that to be very true, and the real reason we can't distill our own.

There is too much profit from the taxes collected from the sale of the spirits.
A great portion of that revenue would be lost, So the government spreads the
false story about getting lead poisoning if you distill your own.

We have come a great distance since prohibition and World War II, but the
government wants to keep us there. Locked in that period's frame of mindset.

[gomibakou]

You also can distill.. essences. Dunno if there it's illegal or not. But these things usually are illegal to avoid people
Lead poisoning could happen, if you use lead xDDD

Prohibition in distilling is only for money, gov money, big companies money. As many other things, they are not interested in you know the procedures but as information flows then it's better forbidden some activities.

There is a risk in distilling but i think it's not much more than cooking with the pressure pot (a real one with the valve).

I'm interested in this instructable just for essences (herbal essences).

Nice job :D

[Mick Gibson]

You can make 15 gallons of hard liquor a year back in 1991, I don't know if they chanced the law, but back when you could brew up 195 poof and then mixed down to 60 poof as according to state law.

[007ians]

Sorry, not any more. Not without that license form the state. They are pretty
adamant about no one distilling. Home breweries for beer and wine are okay
because you are fermenting, zero tolerance on distilling.

[aeternusjunk]

A BIG Thank You to everyone who voted for me in the Mad Scientist Fair! You guys rock!!

[DavidKaine]

Here's my setup.  It's almost identical to yours, except for a few modifications. My coolant is a closed loop using an aquarium pump I had from an old computer water-cooling setup.  I found some great 3-way fittings at Home Depot that were like 1/2" - 3/4" reducing couplings but with a 1/2" fitting coming off one side. I drilled out the retaining lip inside, put the fittings on either end of the 3/4" tube, then passed the 1/2" tube through it.  soldering was interesting, but not terribly difficult.  I also forewent the screw fittings to save a bit on cost, and just slip-fit the pieces.  I was able to tap 3/8 NPT threads into the pressure relief valve without even affecting the valve seat, so I can even still use it as a pressure cooker.  Let me know if you see something you're curious about.

[aeternusjunk]

I thought about trying to use the threads that were already in the cooker. I'll have to try that out next time I make one of these.

[Light_Lab]

I am sorry aeturnusjunk but a metal still is not "laboratory quality". Glass is used in laboratory stills to minimise metal ion contamination. Also hot copper is sufficient to catalyse reactions with ethanol.

http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=8709

People do get away with copper stills all the time by avoiding hotspots, even commercially, but it is risky.

[Light_Lab]

Sorry, I didn't mean to discourage you. You don't have to be a glass blower though, in the lab we use QuickFit glassware
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quickfit_apparatus
- expensive but very good and lasts. Before quickfit we used to use glass tubing and corks.
In industry potable liquids including wine, beer and spirits are processed through stainless steel. When I was a teenager I made a water purification still from aluminium. The tank eventually corroded but it provided many years of service. 

[adaminc]

In the alcohol industry they use copper because during fermentation the yeast puts out sulfides. Using copper will remove these from your distillates as it works.

At least that is what I have been lead to believe.

[Light_Lab]

Yes some commercial stills like the Coffey Patent still are made from copper and often hillbilly stills had a copper cooling coil. But these stills are not Lab quality; the small traces of copper ions introduced would be unacceptable. Keep in mind that the most significant use of stills in the lab is for the production of highly purity distilled water.
When copper is used in alcoholic beverage industrial stills care is taken to ensure that no hot spots occur that could cause the reduction of alcohol to aldehyde. The small trace of copper introduced into alcohol during contact at low temperature is usually low enough that drinkers are not at much risk.
Yeast doesn't produce significant sulfides during fermentation, though often H2S is used to destroy wild yeasts in the ingredients before the introduction of the yeast culture. Sulfides are pretty toxic to yeasts. The low pH of the must would make the formation of copper / sulphide compounds unlikely, most trace sulfides end up as gaseous H2S and leave the system.

[aeternusjunk]

Yeah! The quickfit is the type that inspired this project. When I'm rich I'm definitely going to invest. Pricing is a little steep, but actually not as bad as I thought. The condenser goes for $67US on Aldrich.

[aeternusjunk]

Dang. You got me :) As soon as I learn how to blow lab glass I promise to redo the instructable. This still probably won't be getting hot enough to significantly catalyze ethanol in that particular way, but it's true that this project is far from laboratory quality. *sigh* A man can dream. I modified the name, so as not to trouble my fellow science-types. Nice catch, thanks for letting me know about this one.

[Vulcanator]

http://www.leeners.com/
^they sell malt, yeast, and pretty much everything needed to brew your own beer/wine (or illegal liquor)

[Noblenutria]

I read about bending copper pipe by putting fine sand inside.

[xfirexstarzx]

Using salt is even better than using sand. It's really hard to get all the sand out of a bent pipe, but salt dissolves in water. If the salt clogs up, just rinse it out.

[aeternusjunk]

Yeah, I was thinking about that when I was trying to bend them without sand. It would have been nice. I hear when they make musical instruments they have a machine that pushes ball bearings through the pipes to make them round again.

[Eiswulf]

You can pick up tubing benders like this http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100647941/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 at most any hardware store. They are designed for bending thin wall copper tubing.

[mikej_w]

I made a small diameter coil, to be fit inside of a 1-1/2" pipe, so I took the 1/4" copper tubing and filled it with water, and then making sure there were no bubbles in the tubing, I pinched off the ends with large wire cutters (crimping the ends). Then into the freezer.
I wound the tubing using a lathe, onto a mandrel, and needed to work quickly before the water thawed.

Worked very well. It flattened out a little, but had nice flow afterwards. Easy cleanup. Run it long and cut the crimped ends off.

[BytePilot]

Psst, It's "Imperial" rather than "empirical"

We don't use it so much on this side of the pond any more.
3/4 inch pipe has been replaced by 22mm and 1/2 inch by 15mm.

[aeternusjunk]

Ah, right. Thanks for the catch. And I'm jealous btw. Most Americans I talk to are resentful that the rest of the world uses SI, rather than the other way around. As it is, engineering classes are taught in SI and BIS.

[BytePilot]

No worries.

Ugh, engineering taught in feet and inches ?
Ouch! So many icky constants in the conversions from one unit type to another.
So glad there are decent units in there too.

Good luck

[beehard44]

i'm making one but did a few modifications:
i'm using a PVC pipe for the outer tube and using steel epoxy for connecting it. Also, instead of the pressure cooker i'm using a paint can that'll pop it's lid instead of blowing up.
hope it works.

[riff raff]

"Distillate from something I was keeping in the car-boy."

"Something." Uh-huh. ;-)

[xfirexstarzx]

Are your scrubbing pads copper all the way through? All of the copper scrubbers I've seen are copper coated steel. They'll rust after a while, and rust is something I don't think you would want in your still. If they are completely copper, would you mind sharing what brand they are?

[aeternusjunk]

As far as I can tell they're copper all the way through, but I suppose they might be alloyed with something. I don't know the brand, sorry, the packaging went straight in the trash. I'll go find out next time I'm at the store. If they do rust then it's probably not a big deal, because everything else is rust proof and can be scrubbed clean. If you can't find the pure copper scrubber then just replace them once in a while and make sure they're dry before you store them.

[scrounger64]

Stainless steel scrub pads are quite common, affordable, and won't rust. They are also resistant to a wide range of chemicals so they will not react with whatever you are distilling. You could always grab a bag of marbles from Toys R Us and use those and save on the time and mess of broken glass. Although, I have to say the broken glass is a great "McGuyver." Well done mikej_w.

[mikej_w]

You can use broken glass. Break some glass inside of a cloth bag, and smash it pretty good to get the size of particles you want. Put the broken particles in a large bucket with some pebbles and shake them back and forth, for several minutes, maybe a half hour, to get the sharp corners broken down. Then use a colunder or screen to remove the little pieces, I washed mine with water to remove the fines.

Fit a screen, like from a sink drain at the bottom, you can cut the screen a little larger that the inside diameter and then press it into the column, then fill it with the glass particles.

Worked for me.

[aeternusjunk]

Brilliant.

[Sergei-]

Hi

Nice looking fractional pot still, I would have tried to find 304 or 316 stainless for it because of the pain in the ass cleaning of copper after each run or you get opper sulphate in it and then you go blind, but keep the copper scrubbers because if theres no copper at all there will be an unpleasant rotten egg smell

Looks like your running it a bit to fast, to get a purer spirit it should be about 80 deg c - for a pot still might be a bit higher but not to close to 100c

Nice job in the soldering make sure it's lead free solder or you will get led poisoning without a gun involved hahahaha but seriously it's no laugthing matter

Heres my setup
All glassware and fits to a modified 50 litre keg

[rons22]

When you do the spectrographic identification - how much copper is in the distillate.

[valgard]

I would like to point out that the choice of solder is important, don't use any solder that contains lead. Use silver solder or something that is used in house plumbing. unless your trying to poison yourself with the finished product. assuming your going to be drinking it that is.