The Compleat Distiller - Nixon & McCaw(1).pdf

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This book is primarily about distillation, the purification and concentration of weak or impure substances
THE COMPLEAT
DISTILLER
Nixon & McCaw
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THE COMPLEAT DISTILLER
2
Published in New Zealand in October 2001 by :
The Amphora Society
PO Box 51-231
Pakuranga
Auckland 1706
New Zealand
Copyright October, 2001 by Michael Nixon & Michael McCaw
All rights reserved. No part of this publication, printed, or electronic, may be reproduced or
transmitted to a third party in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the
authors.
Subject to the above, extracts may be taken by screen save for personal use by registered purchasers of
the electronic publication (pdf file), and extracts may be photocopied for personal use by registered
purchasers of the printed publication.
ISBN 0-473-08135-0
Contacts:
Authors:
E-mail admin@amphora-society.com
Tel: +64-9-576-7467
Fax: +64-9-577-4103
Mail: PO Box 51-231
Pakuranga
Auckland 1706
New Zealand
Acknowledgements:
The authors gratefully acknowledge the long-suffering patience of their wives,
Karen and Janet
Without their unwavering support this book would not have been possible.
THE COMPLEAT DISTILLER
3
CONTENTS
Foreword
……………………………………………….
Page 5
Chapter 1
Fermentation ……………………………….
Page 6
How alcohol is created
6
Fermentation
6
Various types of fermentation
8
The art of fermentation
10
Special fermentation techniques
13
Dr. Cone's methods for high alcohol fermentation
16
Turbo yeast products
17
Techniques for employing either the Cone Protocol or turbo yeast
18
Chapter 2
How distillation works ……………………..
Page 20
Vapor pressure
20
Mixtures and solutions
22
A graphical description for mixtures
24
Cleaning and Polishing
26
Maturation
26
Chapter 3
Putting theory into practice …………….….
Page 27
Batch and Continuous Distillation
27
Distilling water
28
Boilers
29
Condensers
32
Types of Still
36
Chapter 4
Equipment design …………………………..
Page 42
Materials
42
Solders
43
Seals
43
Flanges
44
Boilers
44
Boiler control
47
Condensers
49
Designing and building stills
52
Compound still management
55
Conclusion
59
Chapter 5
Operating procedures ……………………...
Page 60
General principles
60
Pot Distillation
62
Fractional Distillation
63
Compound Distillation
64
Chapter 6
Botanicals and essences …………………….
Page 66
The Flavors and Scents of Nature
66
Definitions
66
Essential oils
68
Methods of Extraction
69
The Product
74
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THE COMPLEAT DISTILLER
4
Chapter 7
The workshop ……………………………….
Page 75
Safety
75
Some basic requirements
76
Basic techniques
77
Heating elements (control)
82
Soldering
88
Brazing (Silver Soldering)
89
Annealing
89
A final tip for the Distiller
90
Chapter 8 The Science behind the Curtain ……………
Page 91
Atoms and Molecules
91
Moles and Mols
92
Molecular structures
92
Avogadro
93
Volumes of Vapors
93
Mol Fractions
94
Dalton's Law for Gases
94
Raoult's Law for Liquids (boiling of mixtures)
95
Saturated Vapor Pressures
95
Latent Heat of Vaporization (LHV)
96
Logarithms
97
Clausius-Clapeyron Equation
97
Antoine Equation
98
Equilibrium Curves
98
Azeotropes
100
Reflux
101
Packing
104
Surge boiling
107
Supercooling and Column Stability
108
They were wrong!
111
A Final word
112
Appendix 1 Weights & Measures ………..……………….
Page 113
Appendix 2 Carbohydrates for fermentation …………….
Page 117
Appendix 3 Hydrometer table ………..………..………….
Page 121
Appendix 4 Activated carbon ………..…………………….
Page 122
Appendix 5 Constant load heater controller ………………
Page 125
Appendix 6 Vapor management ………..………………….
Page 131
THE COMPLEAT DISTILLER
5
FOREWORD
Worldwide, there is a growing interest in distillation by those who enjoy making alcoholic beverages,
essential oils, botanical extracts and perfumes. We have read books that purport to describe how
distillation works, but got it wrong in whole or in part, and some that detail how to build a particular
type of still and operate it, but which are based more on myth than sound scientific and engineering
knowledge. We came to the conclusion that there was a crying need for a book that gives a detailed
account of the entire subject, avoiding old wives’ tales and dealing entirely in verifiable facts.
Our book describes the science and the principles behind distillation, the practice of small scale
distillation, and several designs for different kinds of stills, all thoroughly tested. We fervently hope
that our readers develop a thorough understanding of the process, which can only broaden and deepen
their enjoyment of this activity. Following this philosophy, every subject introduced begins with “how
does this work?” and progresses to “how can I do this?”.
We must stress that this book is NOT an incitement to those who live in countries where distillation of
alcohol is illegal to rush out and break the law. Home distillation of alcohol is an ancient and honored
tradition in many parts of the world, and is completely illegal in others. The wisdom (or lack of
wisdom) of the laws prohibiting small scale distillation are not a subject for this book. If you live
where this enjoyable activity is prohibited, you are free to read about it, but not to actually do it. If you
feel that these laws are misguided, contact your representatives and make the case for changing the
laws, do not break them.
Even where distilling alcohol is prohibited, it is legal to distill with water. However, some countries
regulate the size of water stills! You must check carefully on your local regulations before engaging in
this activity. Using water to steam distill the essential oils and fragrances from herbs, spices and other
botanical materials is a fast growing hobby in its own right, and we devote a whole chapter to this
subject. These techniques are as interesting and useful to cooks and perfumiers as they are to people
who want to make liqueurs.
We have also included a chapter on workshop techniques, tips, and tricks that can be useful in building
stills and many other kinds of equipment. This is not like a book that teaches you how to fly -- it's like
a book that also tells you how to make your own airplane – and not just the airplane design of our
choosing, but one that you yourself can learn to design, and which may well fly better!
In this vein, we also describe distillation techniques and designs that we have only recently developed
and which have never before been published, and encourage readers to carry the torch further by using
their own ingenuity.
One of the authors used an old industrial vacuum cleaner as his first boiler, and later investigated the
possibilities of using jam jars to make a glass column. This provoked much mirth and not a little scorn
from those who considered themselves 'experts', who considered anything new to be heresy . However,
a great deal was learned about the properties of materials and techniques to handle them, knowledge
that later proved invaluable. When you read this book, you will see what can be accomplished if you
dare to step outside the frame and question preconceived notions of what can be done, and how. All
you need is a good understanding of basic principles and a willingness to challenge old, ossified ideas.
Home distillation is a fascinating hobby, and one which is fertile ground for those who enjoy exercising
their ingenuity. It's challenging, and it's fun!
In Chapter 8, we draw back the curtain on the science behind distillation, a fascinating subject in itself.
No myths. No half-baked notions of what we "think" may be going on. Just facts. Facts proven by
centuries of hard work and discovery by skilled artisans, scientists and engineers.
Paraphrasing the words of Isaak Walton, the author of "The Compleat Angler", and from whom we
have respectfully borrowed for the title of this book:
"Doubt not, therefore, sir, but that distilling is an art,
and an art worth your learning."
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