A solar still - for distilling ethanol, humm, does it really work – yes!This particular variations; “The Solar Still,” may sound a bit unusual, but its not. For instance, the technique is a centuries old means for turning undrinkable sea water into safe drinking water. Sunlight has been used since antiquity to raise the temperature of bad water to a vaporous state for distillation.
See the simple panel distiller illustrated below. Sunlight falling through the glass will heat the sand causing any water present to evaporate - simple. To make one, construct a frame with a bottom, fill it with sand, place a sheet of glass over the opening covering the sand. Make sure to make the box airtight so the evaporated water won't escape. If you provided a way to get water onto the sand at the top of the box, let it drip, it'll wick (capillary effect) through the sand to the bottom.
As the sunlight falls through the glass, the sand is heated causing the water in it to evaporate, the water should bead up and collect on the underside of the glass.
And like a bathroom mirror when someones takes a shower, it'll run down the glass to to the bottom. Now, if you put some kind of trough there, the water'll collect and empty out through a discharge tube. Be sure to put a tube there. When finished - place your contraption in the sun, and wham - you'll have fresh distilled drinking water in no time. But this isn’t about distilling or drinking water; it’s about making moonshine for fuel. Once you get into distilling, you’ll fast discover the possibilities. Obviously, lots of sunshine will be needed for a solar still of any kind to work with any degree of efficiency. And in case the sun don't shine, a solid wind turbine with a steady 8 to 10 mph resource will provide adequate power to heat pot batches.
So regardless of the collector configuration, or the type system in which it is used, a solar still can make ethyl alcohol.
You can custom tailor the solar elements to provide adequate heat for the still's boiler.
Or a wind turbine could also provide auxiliary power for the boiler. The example illustrations below show the possibilities.
And yes, making ethyl alcohol for fuel is legal? Curious; call, fax, e-mail or write Uncle Sam at: Phone 202-927-5000, Fax 202-927-5611, e-mail ttbquestions@ttb.treas.gov or use the U.S. Mail: write - Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to find out.Public Information Officer1310 G Street, NW.,Suite 300Washington, D.C. 20220 Or go to the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’s web site at: The Alcohol Fuel Producers Permit, form - TTB F 5110.74. It doesn't cost anything but a few minutes and postage. Get a list of regulations here.. For the ATF's home page and index: www.ttb.gov Once legal, don’t get cold feet; think, I can do this. Just remember, distillation is an ordinary chemical process used to alter stuff by changing the state of its substance. Pretty simple huh? If you happen to live where there's lots of sunshine, think about using it to make some C2H5OH. Like I said, doesn’t a dollar a gallon for ethanol make a lot of sense? But if you can use the sun, the cost will be even lower. For extensive information about distilling ethyl alcohol, jump over to all about stills, building one, and distilling alcohol for your car.
Links: Good still information, may be useful with solar systems. The Manual for the Home and Farm Production of Alcohol Fuel Stills that aren’t stills  Custom Search
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For instance, using a closed loop drain back system may be selected for colder climates. An open loop direct systems will do fine in moderate to mild climates.
