quote:

Originally posted by Gregory Kittredge:
I use the Home Depot 5500 watt lime life element at 240v. They work great.

Using a 40 gallon hot water heater: I fill the still, heat the pot to 220*F and then cut the power to the element. That brings the reflux up to 180+-. No agitation. By the time the pot reaches 220*F I have recovered 8 gallons. Then when the flow slows to a trickle, I inject a little air at the bottom of the pot. Now that the power is off, the pot slowly cools and I get out another two gallons. I then call it a day.

Using this system I have yet to burn an element and can demeth a forty gallon batch in seven hours. That is starting from dead cold solidified glycerin to done.

120v takes too long. I don’t have that kind of patience. There may be a bit more methanol I could possibly squeeze from the glycerin if I was to use a vacuum or a venturi. But at the end of the day it may be only be a gallon at most. Not worth my time.

No vacuum, no venturi, no pump, no moving parts. Just a simple atmospheric still. I am now ramping up that design with a 120 gallon tank.