RogueRose
International Hazard
Posts: 1594
Registered: 16-6-2014
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Quick alcohol distillation, essential oil extraction, steam generator using a large (30-48 cup) coffee makers?
I came across one of these items the other day and after looking at the parts and a test run with water, it seems that it may be useable for ethanol,
methanol, water or similar liquids non-reactive with aluminium.
This is the one I was looking at and it has a 1090 watt element that seems to have an adjustable temp sensor but it will boil water pretty vigorously.
The heating element is in the center of the bottom and is shaped like a cup about 1-1.2" diameter and about 1" deep. Inside of this an aluminium
tube is placed with an upside down cup (dome) is placed on top of the heating element with the tube running to the top of the unit (carry steam). On
top there is a basket that holds the coffee for the water to condense on the lid and drip down onto it.
If someone wanted to have a steam generator to blow steam through some plant material for oil extraction, this would work using the tubing (with a
hole in the lid to extend tubing). Also, placing the plant material in the coffee basket while removing the tube would allow for steaming of the
matter with everything condensing on the lid and flowing back into the water to be seperated later.
I'd like to see if this could be used for EtOH distillation or similar. It seems like a quick setup if it could be used maybe removing the tube and
basket and placing a hose barb/connector on the lid to carry vapor away. I'm wondering how this would work with the water boiling at at the bottom in
a concentrated area and if it would allow the ethanol on the top layer to vaporize and what happens to the vaporized EtOH on the bottom as it passes
up through the hot water. As I've never seen EtOH boil during distillation, IDK if this is any different than using a normal hot plate or other, this
just seems like much more heat concentrated in a small spot. IDK if the tube could work for EtOH distillation b/c it would send all the water up
along with the alcohol I would think.
Here is a pic of what the tube looks like
[Edited on 22-3-2017 by RogueRose]
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macckone
Dispenser of practical lab wisdom
Posts: 2168
Registered: 1-3-2013
Location: Over a mile high
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Mood: Electrical
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Yes, that is a perc pot.
I use one for making coffee.
They would work for most extractions.
Of course there are rubber and metal components
so the choice of solvents is limited unless
you replace the rubber with something teflon
or pfa. Mine also stops after the solution reaches
a preset temperature, so it may involve a extract
and cool and extract again cycle.
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