Accurate Temperature Reading


If isolated these would be:

Acetone 56.5 ºC (134 ºF)
Methanol (wood alcohol) 64 ºC (147 ºF)
Ethyl acetate 77.1C (171 ºF)
Ethanol 78 ºC (172 ºF)
2-Propanol (rubbing alcohol) 82 ºC (180 ºF)
1-Propanol 97 ºC (207 ºF)
Water 100 ºC (212 ºF)
Butanol 116 ºC (241 ºF)
Amyl alcohol 137.8 ºC (280 ºF)
Furfural 161 ºC (322 ºF)

However, as the different substances are not produced separately but as a mixture, there is a greater variance in the temperatures for each one. Fortunately each of the substances will tend to dominate around its boiling point temperature, thus we can determine which alcohol is dominating and being produced at that point. Temperature readings of a distillation are taken in the vapour chamber area of the still, usually the lid where vapours gather before proceeding to the refinig lentil or condensing recipient.

By tracking the temperature of the vapour you will know when you are collecting the desired ethanol and how the purity of the run is proceeding. Temperature reading must be between 78º to 82 ºC or other chemical substances will be obtained. If you are not obtaining the desired temperature, you will have to increase or decrease the heat source accordingly. This is the first stage of obtaining the desired alcohol. Once the distillate starts to exit the condensing recipient, basic distillation rules must be respected to define cutting off points. You may use a copper parrot spout and alcoholometer to aid you in this task.