I saw an article about distillation of Listerine to remove the alcohol within it, and it got me thinking, can you safely remove the alcohol from rubbing alcohol, where there is a lot more for a lot cheaper? In ethyl alcohol based rubbing alcohols, which are generally 70% ethanol, the rest is mostly water and a small amount of denaturates, just enough to make you sick. The two most common, methyl isobutyl ketone which has a boiling point of aprox. 110 C, and a bittering agent which is a soluable. So, can these be for the most part removed from the alcohol to make it safe for consumption? I have a month to get some kind of alcohol from the process, or I lose a bet. If this won't work, I guess I'll fall back on the listerine idea...
rubbing alcohol is actually isopropyl alcohol. you're thinking of "denatured alcohol", which is about 85-90% ethanol with methanol, pyridine, and/or other toxic compounds to render it unfit for human consumption. if you're trying to increase its purity, you can do fractional distillations
HUH? Whats the point? it put germs to bed.... Rinse with listerine.... and your germs woulnt be bugging you with these crazy ideas...
Yes, I fully understand the difference between isopropyl rubbing alcohol and denatured ethanol. I intend to do this with denatured ethanol. So it can work then. Fractional distillations though? I've read a little about the different types, but I'm not sure how I'd do that. I don't have a lot of money and I was hoping to keep a low profile. Is there any way to make a simple distiller quickly and out of household items? One that would work?
*edit* i'm not sure how you could do it with household items. you'd need a thermometer and a consistent heat source, to be able to separate the various solvent according to their boiling points
Sorry to burst your bubble, but isopropanol is the active ingredient in rubbing alcohol, not ethanol. Don't do it, unless you want some 99% isopropanol for let's say a Salvinorin A extraction from salvia leaf... If that is the case, then I suggest you just go down to your local pharmacy and buy some 99% isopropyl there.
In most rubbing alcohols this is the case, but there are still a few ethanol based alcohols. I can link to one if you'd like Ok, here's my idea for a simple distiller. I take a large pot 2ft tall, suspend a second pot inside of it, and place a bowl on top filled with ice. The alcohol, placed in the larger pot, will be kept at just above boiling temperature and will condense when it hits the bowl on top, and then drip down to the lowest point on the bowl which will conveniently be over the suspended pan, which won't be as heated. I only need enough of the stuff to make a couple of drinks to win the bet, so I think this'll work. If anyone can see a flaw, please tell me.
what you just described is a simplified reflux apparatus (unless you mean the bowl covers the top of the large pot, and the smaller one is completely enclosed below the bowl). otherwise all solvents will condense and fall back into the pot, and you're not separating anything. and you'll still need a thermo to monitor the temp
Yes, the bowl will cover the pot completely and the second smaller pot will be completely enclosed below the bowl. Will this work?
not very efficiently (there still needs to be a way to vent gas phase buildup..I'd imagine that bowl will be bumpin a bit), but in theory, yes. it should work.
Fractional distillation especially with volite solvents should be left to the experienced (have polymer do it for you).
sirion, whatever you do....don't attempt to distill over open flame. i hope you considered doing it over an electrical heat source
Your dumb kid, just make patato vodka or buy some colt 45's. Are you just not old enough to buy liqour? or are you poor?
Listering, kids drink that shit and go to the ER go home so fucked up and do it again. Seriously, don't drink listerine, even if filtered...with that much effort you could have someone buy a small pint of Vodka feeling sorry for you...spange ask for change for the bus, you'll get money and booze...also note Listerine and the distilling of its alcohol isn't going to render the alochol any safer to drink will it? I mean you can purify whats in there, even add water but if you drink it...your drinking home brew tweaker wannabe moonshine....sad man...im gonna shed a tear for ya....;-DJust kidding almost crossed my mind though! ~Play it safe, keep it clean...pure...and always avoid shadow people and their crazy ideas...
