Hyrdocarbon Residue

Measuring about 140 degrees at the boiler replenish cup is about typical. See example at right. If one has a lot of taste (hydrocarbon) in the result then one wants to get the replenish cup up to as high a temperature as possible by slowing down the cooling water in the heat exchanger. This will cause the hydrocarbons to boil out of the water as it drips though the open air between the needle valve and the open copper replenish cup. The cup has a baffled barer in it that blocks the surface of the input from reaching the output side. This keeps the lighter hydrocarbons (oils) on the input side until they evaporate. The output .25” tubing is positioned a bit off the bottom of the cup.

Insolate to keep the heat in the cup on down to about 1/3 of the heat exchanger and the full length of the exposed ¼ pipe that goes to the pressure cooker. See example below. Insolate to keep the heat in the top of the pressure cooker and the pipe leading to the exchanger. This will make the operation more efficient.

One can always make some charcoal by heating wood in a closed chamber and burning the gasses that come off to help produce the heat necessary. The charcoal can then be used to take the hydrocarbons out of the distilled water by filtering it though a container full of crushed charcoal. Hopefully this will be un-necessary if one can pre-heat the water enough to drive off the bad tastes.

 Offered by Mike.