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Alcohol Determination Apparatus Set Up -

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• The hardware required to support the glassware consists of two (2) retort stands, two (2) boss heads, two (2) retort clamps and with an optional plastic clip to secure the adaptor receiver.
  
  
• Connect the water tubing to the condenser.
  
  The water "in" tubing, who's other end will be connected to your water supply, is attached to the hose connector that directs the water to the bottom of your condenser or alternatively onto the lower hose connector, depending on your condenser design. This arrangement allows all of the air to be driven out of the condenser body, improving the condenser's efficiency.
  
  The water "out" tubing, who's other end will go to your sink, is attached to the top hose connection of your condenser.
  
  
• Use one retort stand and clamp arrangement (see diagram), to clamp and support the condenser, leaving plenty of room below to fit the receiver adaptor.
  
  Locate and position the assembly near an available water supply and drain, so that the condenser's water hoses are able to reach them.
  
  
• Connect the adaptor receiver, with the flexible tubing fitted, onto the bottom joint of the condenser (see safety note) and secure with clip.
  
  
• Fill the volumetric flask with enough water to allow for the opening of the flexible tubing to be submerged below the water level.
  
  
• Lower the condenser and adapter into the volumetric flask so that the flexible tubing is near the bottom of the flask and is situated below the water level.
  
  
• The flexible tubing is fitted to the end of the adaptor receiver to ensure its position close to the bottom of the volumetric flask, below the water level.
  
  The collection of the distillate below the water level helps to reduce evaporation of the alcohol distilled over, especially at the early stages of distillation when the distillate consists predominantly of alcohol.
  
  
• Use the other retort stand and clamp arrangement to support the distillation boiling flask containing the wine sample and boiling chips.
  
  NOTE: do not add the boiling chips once heating has commenced, as this can result in a possible violent release of energy.
  
  Allow the wine to cool down and then add the boiling chips, connect the flask and resume heating.
  
  
• By careful adjustments of all supporting parts, fit and secure the splash head so it is fitted securely without leaks (see safety note).
  
  The splash head serves as a splash barrier between the boiling wine and the distillate being collected, should the boiling wine bump, with possibly contamination of the collected distillate.
  
  
• Position a Bunsen burner or butane burner underneath the boiling flask, propping up the burner or adjusting the length of the flexible tubing, as required (see diagram).
  
  If the heat from the burner is to local or intense, position a tripod and heat diffuser (gauze), to disperse the applied heat, between the heat source and boiling flask.
  
  
• For accurate results, it is recommended that the volumetric flask be placed in an ice bath (water and ice), to prevent losses of alcohol, through evaporation from the possibly still warm, collected distillate.
  
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