15 



suitable overflow pipes. The sirup and alcohol are pumped into the 

 top of the beer still through a pipe G ; steam is admitted through an 

 open pipe into the kettle A at the bottom of the column or is pro- 

 duced by heating the spent liquor by means of a coil. The steam 

 ascends through the perforations in the plates, becoming richer and 

 richer in alcohol as it passes through each layer of liquor, while the 

 latter gradually descends by means of the overflow pipes to the bot- 

 tom of the column B and finally reaches the kettle completely exhausted 

 of alcohol, whence it is removed by means of a pump connected with 

 the pipe line H. On reaching the top of the beer still B the vapors 

 of the alcohol and the steam continue to rise and pass into the alcohol 

 column C. This column is also divided into chambers, but by solid 

 instead of perforated plates as shown at K. Each chamber is provided 

 with a return or overflow pipe and an opening through which the 

 vapors ascend. In the alcohol column the vapors are so directed as to 

 pass through a layer of liquid more or less rich in alcohol, which is 

 retained by the plate separating the compartments. An excess of 

 liquid in these compartments overflows through the down pipes, gradu- 

 ally works its way into the beer still and thence to the kettle. On 

 reaching the top of the column the vapors, which have now become 

 quite rich in alcohol, are passed into a coil provided with an outlet at 

 the lowest part of each bend. These outlets lead into the return pipe 

 P which connects with the top chamber of the alcohol column. This 

 coil is technically termed the " goose" and is immersed in a tank called 

 the "goose tub." A suitable arrangement is provided for controlling 

 the temperature of the water in the tub by means of outlet and inlet 

 water pipes. When the still is in operation the temperature of the 

 "goose" is regulated according to the required density of the alcohol. 

 The object of the "goose" is the return to the column of all low prod- 

 ucts which condense at a temperature below the boiling point of ethyl 

 alcohol of the desired strength. On leaving the "goose" the vapors 

 enter a condenser E whence the liquid alcohol is conducted into a sep- 

 arator F. This separator consists simply of a glass box provided with 

 a cylinder through which a current of alcohol is constantly flowing. An 

 alcohol spindle is inserted in this cylinder and shows the density of the 

 spirit at all times. A pipe, with a funnel-shaped opening at its upper 

 extremity, connects with the pipe leading from the condenser and 

 gives vent to any objectionable fumes. The separator is connected by 

 means of a pipe with the alcohol storage tank. The pipe is for 

 emptying the upper chambers when necessary. The valves N 9 com- 

 municating by means of a small pipe with a condenser 3/, are for test- 

 ing the vapors in the lower chambers for alcohol. 



Valuable advice and assistance in procuring and arranging the dis- 

 tilling apparatus, were obtained from Mr. Philip Zell and Mr. J. B. 

 Greenhut, of Peoria, 111. The apparatus was designed by Mr. Zell 

 and constructed by Klingle Brothers, of Peoria. 



