Distillation The First Application

Extensive research has revealed that the best method to combat stress is alcohol. In 1980 I tried to become an alcoholic. Regrettably, I would fall asleep after my second drink. Ever since. I ve had a desire to learn more about bourbon and scotch. In particular, in the production of a single malt scotch, how is the liquor separated from the barley mash  

Since 2003, I ve been providing periodic process engineering services to a refinery in Lithuania. One evening after work, I was walking past the local village liquor store. Displayed in the window. 

The objective is to produce vodka in the bottle of not less than 100 proof (that s 50 volume percent alcohol). Suppose that the bottle contains 80 proof (40 volume percent) alcohol. What can be done to bring the vodka up to the 50 percent spec  

There is only one thing that is under our control to change. This is the amount of firewood burned to supply heat to the big can. Should we add more heat to the big can or less heat  

If we add less heat to the big can, the vapor flow to the No. 1 condensing coil will diminish. As the water is less volatile than the alcohol, most of the reduction in vapor flow will be at the expense of water vaporization. Of course, there will be somewhat less vaporization of the more 

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