W22 - Vacuum Distilling Training

A learning experience on how to distil with a vacuum fractionating or short path still.

Master Principle:

Preserving delicate temperature-sensitive aromatics and perform precision batch distillation.

Workshop contents:

Introduction

• Welcoming and Introduction of Participants
• Workshop programme and structure
• Scope of this workshop
• Distilling safety - and especially for vacuum stills

The anatomy of a vacuum still and the purpose of each component
Temperature control (only possible in vacuum distillations)

• Bath and boiler temperatures and control of boiling rate
• Vapour temperatures
• Coolant temperatures
• Purpose if using the agitator

Different ways of specifying vacuum and pressure, absolute and relative vacuums

Input variables and their impacts

• Coolant water flow - main/reflux condenser (dephlegmator) (on fractionating stills)
• Coolant water flow - spirit condenser
• Cold-trap cooling importance and heat input control

Practical distillation on a vacuum still (small experimental still and larger vacuum still)

• Participation
• Filling a still
• Setting up a vacuum still and coolant flows
• Starting heat and vacuum to bring to boil
• Adjustment when boiling starts
• Equalising/stabilizing your column
• The heads and fraction collecting and withdrawing
• Volume calculations for receivers
• Opening vacuum stills and shutting down procedures

Conclusions, Q&A and discussions

Receipt of your payment will confirm your seat reservation for the course. Please note our terms and conditions for training when cancelling a course.

Pre-requisites: Theoretical distilling and phase diagram knowledge/exposure/appreciation.

Course Fee Includes:

• Slideshow handouts
• Use of vacuum stills during distillation
• Refreshments during the course (tea, coffee, cool drink, bottled water)
• Light Lunch (Please inform us of any dietary requirements)

Times:
Presented on request only with a minimum of 6 participants (maximum of 10 participants)

• Starts at 08:00 until approximately 15:00 with lunch at 12h00.

View the training calendar for all training courses.

Venue:

• Distillique Offices in Centurion (View Map)