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Northern Self Reliance

~ Proving technologies for sustainable living

Northern Self Reliance

Tag Archives: Ethanol

Computer controlled reflux still

23 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by sabbadess in Ethanol

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

arduino, cattail, Ethanol, reflux, renewable energy, typha

 

Good Evening Readers,

Today I got to try my latest creation, a computer controlled reflux still.  It is too cool!  It has a temperature sensor that controls a fan to adjust the amount of refluxing.

IMG_0826

It is SO much more efficient than my old pot still!!  I am gladly going to have to rewrite my “Ethanol – Is it worth it?” page.  My math was correct but the tech was all wrong.

Using a 5% mash I was able to produce flammable, 180+ proof ethanol with no redistilling.  Granted, the proof tapered off as the run continued, but it was MUCH higher than my old typical 50 proof initial concentration.

I did get the sizing of a few heat transfer surfaces wrong so I’m not ready to post pictures and definitive performance numbers just yet.  It’s coming.

I have a renewed sense of optimism that my UMaine students will be able to build a net energy positive cattail ethanol system this fall.

Stay Tuned,

Stephen

Success!! – Cat tail ethanol works!

23 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by sabbadess in Ethanol, Uncategorized

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Ethanol, prepper, renewable energy

Good Morning Readers,

This morning I checked my cat tail ethanol mash with a refractometer and it showed 1.5-2% alcohol.  The details are on the bottom of the cat tail ethanol page:

https://northernselfreliance.com/ethanol-fuel/cat-tail-ethanol/

Stephen

Recent Posts

  • Selling the gasifier business May 18, 2019
  • New Pages – Reflux Stills and Alcohol Calculations June 5, 2017
  • Computer controlled reflux still May 23, 2017
  • Leaf Pellet Ash Content May 10, 2017
  • Researching Alternative Fuels May 6, 2017
  • New Page: Radio Amplifiers January 17, 2016
  • New Page – Papers and Publications September 13, 2015
  • Ordering Changes August 16, 2015

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