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Ethanol Experiment Number 8: Stripping "Sugar Beers"

TITLE: Experiment #8
OBJECTIVE(S):
  1. "Strip" the "sugar beer" brewed in Experiments #5 and #6.
    1. This should reduce the water content, in turn increasing the %ABV to perhaps 40% or so.
    2. "%ABV" means "percent of alcohol by volume"
  2. Attempt to CONTROL THE COLUMN TEMPERATURE better than we had in the previous stripping run, by:
    1. Maximizing the temperature in the copper column, PROVIDED
    2. No steam, or only very little steam, is "lost" out the top of the copper column.
GO/NO-GO: GO
SUMMARY: We actually ran this experiment in THREE RUNS. It got dark before we completed the stripping run, and we were still pulling nearly 50%ABV in the last mason jar, so we are confident there is enough alcohol in the remaining beer to warrant completing the stripping run.
NEXT ATTEMPT: Undecided.

In this experiment we are attempting to strip beer into a low wine.
This is done with the intent of reducing the over-all cost of energy input to the system.
By "quickly" stripping away much of the water in the beer
(creating a "low wine" with a much higher alcohol content than the original "beer")
Less energy is required when performing the final "reflux" distillation.

ATF TTB Alcohol Fuel Producers Permit
I hung my ATF Alcohol Fuel Producer's Permit in our Alcohol Shed.
Careful! It's hot!
exp08_01
We bought 24 "Ball" mason jars.
We use these mason jars to collect the distillate in 800-ml intervals.
exp08_02
The "beer" reads as very nearly "zero" alcohol, however the smell of alcohol is obvious.
I assume this is due to the cool temperature in the basement, where I am taking the measurement.
exp08_03
Specific Gravity (SG) measures somewhat less than 1.000, perhaps 0.998.
It tested as having 15% potential alcohol.
Again, this is without any temperature.
exp08_04
Specific Gravity of the other batch of "sugar beer" has even lower SG.
It tested as having about 10% potential alcohol.
exp08_05
Pouring the "sugar beer" into the keg.
exp08_06
About 10-gallons of "sugar beer" is in the keg.
Two batches; Each 5-gallons.
exp08_07
"Dip Sticking" the keg.
I sloshed the yard stick. It was actually closer to 12-1/2-inches deep.
exp08_08
Dead yeast at bottom of 5-gallon carboy.
The sugar beer was siphoned twice. Very little fluid remained in the carboy.
exp08_09
Outdoor temperature is about 56*F (13*C).
exp08_10
Lighting the Turkey Fryer.
exp08_11
Blue dot? Red dot? We can't ever remember!
"IN" means cooling water "input" connection!
exp08_12
PDA-1 still, set up WITH OUT the "1-meter extension."
exp08_13
This is a longer view of the PDA-1 still set up we are using.
exp08_14
Filling up the first mason jar.
exp08_15
Each 800-ml of distillate is being captured in sequentially numbered mason jars.
exp08_16
KEG TEMP. remained between 190-200*F for almost all of the first half of the stripping run.
exp08_17
COPPER COLUMN TEMP. ranged between roughly 87*C - 97*C.
Celsius
exp08_18
It's getting dark!
This is when we began shutting down the first half of this stripping run.
exp08_19
Testing for the Specific Gravity of the "Low Wine" isn't working very well! heheh...
This is why hydrometers are calibrated for the specific liquid of the intended test.
Testing the distillate / 1st-Half of the Stripping Run.
exp08_20
USING THE ALCOHOL METER... First mason jar tests at about 69% alcohol.
This is before adjusting for temperature.
Testing the distillate / 1st-Half of the Stripping Run.
exp08_21
AS A CONTROL:
Testing "Everclear" 95% Ethanol Liquor results in about 94% alcohol.
This is before adjusting for temperature.
Testing the distillate / 1st-Half of the Stripping Run.
Everclear is 95% Alcohol By Volume
Everclear is 95% Alcohol By Volume,
and is a very simple "poor man's" calibration tool.
Place the Everclear and distillate side-by-side
long enough to ensure all the liquids are the same temperature.
I generally let them set overnight, and then perform the %ABV measurements.
Concluded First Stripping Run (of Three) due to Nightfall!

 

 
During the second run the distillate was being created very, very slowly
so it was shut down after only topping off the mason jar which we had partially filled at the conclusion of the previous run (see above).

We remain uncertain what "went wrong" so there is little to nothing to comment upon.

 

Resuming the Run
3rd Run of 3

exp08_22
Added "extension" to the column.
Perhaps shortening the column contributed
to the problem last time?
exp08_23
Distillate resumes, nice and clear!
exp08_24
Ah! The exciting life of the Brewer!
exp08_25
We saw the bent support ring before it fell over!
I guess this is one of the advantages of the "exciting" life style!
exp08_26
One way to estimate the rate of distillation...
is to measure it over a known length of time!
exp08_27
Measuring the %ABV at the end of the run.
%ABV = Percentage of Alcohol By Volume
exp08_28
This is the WRONG perspective to take when reading the hydrometer!
(Remember to record the temperature of the liquid)
exp08_29
Jars 1 - 5
Each holds 800-ml of distillate. We collected 15 jars.
(15 * 800ml = 12,000ml = 12-Liters)
exp08_30
Jars 5 - 9
Jar #5 is duplicated from the above series,
so you can see the continuity of the color more easily.
exp08_31
Jars 7 - 11
Note the change in the color.
Jars #7 and #11 are clear.
exp08_32
Jar #10 is cloudy in the top-half and clear below.
exp08_33
Jars 11 - 15
All are clear.

End of Run
12-Liters of Distillate Collected.
For more information, refer to the notes below.
 

 

 

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