CA1327540C - Apparatus for making distilled spirits from mash - Google Patents

Abstract

APPARATUS FOR MAKING DISTILLED SPIRITS FROM MASH
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

The forerunnings and afterrunnings of vapors and fusel oil leaving a still wherein a charge of mash is heated are diverted into a first condenser, and the remaining fraction which contains high-quality material is diverted into a second condenser, preferably by way of a separator, to ensure that harmful constituents (such as ethyl carbamate) which are likely to be present in the forerunnings and/or afterrunnings cannot enter the second condenser. The forerunnings and afterrunnings can be readmitted into the still for renewed distillation.

Description

132754~

The invention relates to improvements in apparatus for making distilled spirits, such as brandy, from fermented mash.
Mash which ls made from stone fruits contains harmful ingredients, such as ethyl carbamate (urethane3. ~s a ruls, ethyl carbamate will develop in so-called afterrunings (streams of vapors and fusel oil which develop during the last stage of heating a charge of mash in a still), but it is also likely to be present in the forerunnings. The presence of ethyl carbamate in forerunnings is attributable to contamination of the piping system which leads from the still while the system conveys lS the afterrunnings whereby the contaminants are transferred into the forerunnings during the initial stage of heating of the next charge in the still.
Attempts to prevent contamination of forerunnings with ethyl carbamate include washing the pipe system 2a which conveys a stream of vapors and fusel oil from the still upon completed treatment of each charge of fermented mash. It has been found that such procedure unduly increases the cost of the distilling operation while still failing to guarantee that the next-foll~wing fsrerunning will be free of ethyl carbamate.

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_~MARY OP THE INVENTI0~
The invention provides apparatus for making distilled spiri~s from mash, comprisiny a still for heating a charge of mash ~ith the resulting development of a stream of distillate containing vapors and ~usel oil; a first condenser having means for condensiny separated vapors; a second condenser; a multi-way valve means having an inlet connected with said still to receive the stxeam of distillate, a firs~ outlet connected with said flrst condenser, and a second ou~let connec~ed with said second condenser, said valve means being operable to admit distlllate to said firs~ or to said second condenser.
From another aspect, the invention provides a method of making distilled spirits from mash, comprislng the steps of heating a charge of mash in a still with the resultlng development of a stream of distillate containing vapors and fusel oil, the s~rea~ including forerunnlngs and afterrunnings during the initial and last ~tages of processing o~ the charge; evacuating the ~orerunnings and afterrunnings from the still along a ~irst path;
condensing the evacuated forerunnings and a~terrunnings in the first path; evacuating the distillate along a ~econd path su~sequent to evacuation of ~orerunnings and prlor to evacuation o~ afterrunnings; and condensing the distillate in said second path.

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" ' ' " ', ' ,~' ~ ~ , ' ' ' ' , " ' ' ~ ~7~ 5735-41 The inventlon provides an apparatus which is constructed and assembled in such a way that it allow~ for simple, convenient, reliable and inexpensive segregation of ethyl carbamate and other harmful ingredients of heated mash whieh could affect the quality of the bulk of distilled spirits. The apparatus can be used for ~he processing of a wide variety of charges including fermented mash of stone fruits.
The multi-way valve means haæ an inlet connected with the still to receive the stream of distillate, a first outlet connected with or connectable to ~he firs~ condenser, and a second outlet connected with or connectable to the second condenser. The valve means is operable by hand or automatically to admit distillate to the first or ~o the second condenser. The arrangemen~ is such that the forerunnings and afterrunnings which issue from the still are admitted into the first condenser whereas that portion of distillate which follows the forerunnings and precedes the afterrunnings is admitted into the second condenser.
The second condenser has an outlet for condensed vapors and the first condenser has first and second outlets for condensed vapors and fuæel oil, respec~ively. The apparatus preferably further comprises oil collecting means connected with or , . . - . . .

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25735-~1 connectable to the second outlet of ~he first condenser, and condensate collecting means connected with the outlet of the second condenser and wlth the first outlet of the first condenser.
The condensate collecting means can include an elongated vessel for reception of condensate from the first and second separators and means for agitatlng the condensate in the vessel with attendant llberation of some vapors whlch are preferably evacuated by way of an outlet in the upper portion of the vessel.
The apparatus can further comprise means for separating vapors from fusel oil between the valve means and the first condenser. The separating means preferably comprises an elongated upright column having a lower portion with an inlet for reception of distillate stream from the valve means and an upper portlon with an outl~t for vapors. Such separating means preferably further includes means for cooling the vapors, preferably a continuous cooler which is installed in the upper portion of the I column. The lower portion of the column can contaln a plurallty of superimposed stages which serve to separate fusel oil from ascending vapors. Each stage can comprise a bubble plate which ~0 collects fusel oil and a bubble cap which defines with the bubble plate a preferably labyrinth-shaped path for ascending vapors.
Each sta~e further comprises a valve-controlled conduit for evacuation of fusel oil and at least one spray nozzle which is installed ln the respectlve bubble cap and recelves pressurlzed water from a supply conduit.

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Alternatively, the upright column of the separating means can define a first chamber in lts upper portion and a second chamber in its lower portion. Such chambers preferably extend across the entire column and at least one of these chambers contains at least one spray nozzle which is connected with a source of pressurized water.
The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are se~ forth in particular in the appended claims. The improved apparatus itself, however, both as to i~s construction and its mode of operation, together with additional features and advantages thereof, will be best understood upon perusal of ~he following detailed description of certain specific embodiments with re:Eerance to the accompanying drawing.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic elevational view of an apparatus which embodies one form of the invention;
FI~. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary partly elevational and partly vertical sectional view of the separating means in the apparatus of FIG. l;
FIGo 2a shows a detail of the means for collecting distilled spirits in the apparatus of FIG. l;
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of the apparatus which is shown in FIG. l;
FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an apparatus which constitutes a first modification of the apparatus of FIG. l;
FIG~ 5 is an elevational view of a third apparatus;
FIG~ 6 is an elevational view of a fourth apparatus;

2~ FIG. 7 is an elevat:ional view of a fifth apparatus; and FIG. 8 is an enlars~ed fragmentary vertical sectional view of a separating means which can be used in lieu of the separating mean~ of FIG. 2.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE_ EFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Rsferring first to FIGS. 1, 2~ 2a and 3, there is shown a distilling apparatus having a still head 1 (hereinafter still) which can receive a 5 charge, particularly a batch of fermented mash through a door or the liker not specifically identifiedO The character 2 denotes a preliminary separator which receives a stream of distillate (vapors and fusel oil) from the upper end portion of 10 the still 1 by way of an overhead piping system 3O
The outlet of the preliminary separator 2 is connected with the still 1 by a conduit 4 which returns certain ingredients of the distillate into the lower portion of the still. A further overhead 15 piping system 5 connec s the outlet at the top of the preliminary separator 2 with the inlet of a multi-way valve 6 which has two outlets respectively connected to branches 7 and 8 of the piping system 5. The branch 7 serves to convey distillate from the valve 6 20 into a condenser 14, and the branch 8 serves to S
convey distillate into the inlet 17 of a separating '.
means 9 ~hereinafter separator) whose outlet 18 i5 ', connected with a condenser 11 by a further overhead piping system 10. The outlet at the lower end of the 25 condsnser 11 discharges condensate into a distilling or refining unit 12 which~ in turn, discharges condensate into an elongated condensate collecting vessel 13. ~he lower end portion of the condenser 14 is connected with a second distilling or refining 3a unit 15 which can be said to form part of the condenser 14 and has a first outlet which discharges condensate into the collecting vessel 13 and a second outlet which discharges fusel oil into a collecting tank 16.

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l The separator 9 comprises an elongated upright vessel or column 26 (see FIG. 2) having a lower portion provided with the inlet 17 and an upper portion provided with the outlet 18. The lower portion of the column 26 contains five superimposed stages 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 each of which has an observation window (FIG. l). The stages are preferably identical and each such stage is or can be constructed in a manner as shown in FIG. 2 which shows the topmost stage 23. The stage 23 comprises a bubble plate 25 which serves to gather reflux ~fus~l oil~ and a bubble cap 27 which overlies the central ~.
opening of the bubble plate so that the parts 25, 27 define a labyrinthine passage ~arrow 30) for the flow of vapors counter to the direction of flow of reflux.
The bubble plate 25 extends all the way to the internal surface of the cylindrical wall 24 of the column 26 to collect an annular body of fusel oil which can rise therein to the level indicated by a broken line 32. A conduit 36 which contains a shutoff valve 38 is provided to allow for intermittent evaeuation of fusel oil from the spac~
between the bubble plate 25 and the wall 24. The marginal portion 28 of the bubble cap 27 (which resembles an inverted cup) extends below ~he level 32, i.e., it can dip into the body of fusel oil surrounding the upwardly extending central portion 29 of the bubble plate 25~ The vapors forming part of the distillate which is admitted at 17 ascend in the direction which is indicated by arrow 31 and the reflux (fusel oil) flows in the opposite direction.
The bubble plate 25 and the associated bubble cap 27 cooperate to form a siphon which is normally filled with fusel oil. The bubble cap of the stage 22 below the stage 23 is shown at 33. A spray nozzle 35 is _ g _ .

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l installed in the interior of the bubble cap 27 and has a plurality of orifices for sprays of pressurized water which is supplied by a conduit 34 in response to opening of a shutoff valve 37, The conduit 34 5 extends along the outer side of the wall 24 and has branches extending into each of the stages l9 to 23 in order to deliver pressurized water to the 5 respective spray nozzles. The conduits 36 of the stages l9 to 23 discharge fusel oil into the 10 collecting tank 16. .
The separator 9 is preferably cleaned upon completed treatment of a charge of fermented mash in the still 1. To this end, the valves 37, 3~ of each stage in the lower portion of the column 26 are 15 opened to enable the respective nozzles 35 to spray water which is evacuated by way of the respective conduits 36 to enter the tank 16 together with remnants of fusel oil.
The upper portion of the column 26 contains 20 a continuous cooler 39 having a set of vertical parallel-connected pipes 40 ~or vapors which rise (arrow 31) toward the outlet 18. The external surfaces of the pipes 40 are cooled by streams of 5 cold water so that volatile constituents of the 25 vapors are condensed along the internal surfaces of the pipes 40 and accumulate into droplets which : descend into the uppermost separa~or stage 23.
The surplu~ of fusel oil which gathers on ~he bubble plate 25 of the topmost stage 23 overflows 30 via central opening of the bubble plate to descend onto the bubble cap 33 of the stage 22 and to accumulat~ on the bubble plate of the stage 22~ The same applies for the oYerflow of fusel oil from the stage 22 into the stage 21~ thence into the stage 20 and finally into the stage 19. A return conduit 41 ~327~

1 ~FIG. 1) is provided to convey fusel oil from the stage 19 back into the still 1.
The condensate collecting vessel 13 is a sealed container which is equipped with at least one 5 agitator 42 for condensate with attendant liberation f of some vapors. Such vapors, as well as any vapors which enter the vessel 13 with the condensate flowing from the condensers 11 and 14, are permit~ed to escape by way of an outlet 43 in the top portion of 10 the vessel 13. Reference may be had to FIG. 2a which shows that the outlet 43 comprises a riser 44 the upper ~nd portion of which has an inverted U shape and ~he free end portion 45 o which dips into a receptacle 46. The receptacle 46 is open at the top.
15 The web of the u-shaped portion of the riser 44 has an aperture 47 for the evacuation of vapors.
Contaminants whirh gather ln the receptacle 46 can be tested to determine their ingredients and/or for other purposes.
The operation is as follows, The still 1 is filled with a batch of fermented mash, e.g., to the :Level which is indicated by a brokan line 48. ~he contents of the still 1 are then heated in any well known manner (e~g., by exchanging heat with a heated liquid~, and the charge or batch of mash in the still 1 is replenished to maintain the upper level of the batch at 48. The foremost portion of the stream of distillate which leaves the still 1 by entering the overhead piping system 3 constitutes the so-called forerunnings which are to be kept from entering the condenser 11 because they are likely to contain urethane. Therefore, the valving element of the valve 6 is set to connect the overhead piping system 5 with the branch 7 so that the forerunnings enter the condensar 14 wherein the ,~ .

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~327~0 1 vapors are condensed and separated from fusel oil and other undesirable constituents. Fusel oil enters the tank 16 via refining unit 15, and condensed vapors enter the vessel 13 via refining unit 15. Fusel oil which gathers in the tank 16 can be evacuated from time to time to be returned into the still 1 or to be conveyed to another destination.
The valving element of the valve 6 is actuated when the stream of distillate which flows into the valve 6 via piping system 5 is devoid o~
forerunnings. This is ascertained in any conventional manner, e.g., by withdrawing samples at regular or irregular intervals and by manually or otherwise changing the setting of the valve 6 as soon as the quality (purity) of distillate flowing from the still 1 via piping system S warrants its admission into the branch 8 and thence into the inlet 17 in the lower portion of the column 26 forming part of the separator 9. The main portion of the stream of distillate containing vapors and fusel oil (if any) i5 then treated in the separator g in a manner as described in connection with FIG. 2. The vapors leave the vessel or column 26 via outlet 18 to enter the condenser 11, and fusel oil is wi~hdrawn from on~ ¦
or more stages (via conduits 36 discharging into the tank 16) or is permit~ed to descend into the lower portion of the column 2~ to be returned into the still 1 via conduit 41. Condensate which is conveyed ~rom the condenser 11 into the vessel 13 via refining unit 12 is purified once more as a result of treatment by the agitator means 42.
The last portion of the stream of vapors and fusel oil which leaves the still 1 to enter the overhead piping system 5 constitutes the so-called afterrunninys which are likely to contain urethane.

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~327~0 1 Therefore, the valving element of the valve 6 is reset again so that the valve connects the piping system 5 with the branch 7 for admission of distillate into the condenser 14. The degree of contamination of afterrunings is or can be rather pronounced so that such portion of the stream of distillate should not enter the separator 9 and condenser ll. The valving element of the valve 6 can reset to direct the afterrunninys into the condenser 14 as a result of repeated (intermi~tent regular or random) inspection of the quality of distillate which flows in the piping system 5 to thus ensure that the valve 6 will connect the piping system 5 with the branch 7 not later than when the still 1 begins to discharge afterrunnings. The condenser 14 segregates condensed vapors from fusel oil (not later than in the refining unit 15) so that fusel oil can enter the tank 16 and condensed vapors are admitted into the 3 vessel 13.
The still l is emptied when the treatment of the charge of fermented malsh therein is completed, the separator 9 is cleaned in the aforementioned manner (by admitting press~rized water into the spray nozzles 35 of the ~tages l9 t:o 23), and the apparatus is then ready to process ~he next charge in the same way as described above.
It is clear that the valving element of the valve 6 can be actuated to divert the stream of distillatP issuing from the still l into ~he branch 7 and into the condenser l~ at any time following completed evacuation of forerunnings and prior to start of evacuation of afterrunings. This depends on the quality of distillate which flows in the overhead piping system 5 and is preferably monitored at regular intervals or in random fashion. For example, , : ~ - . .
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1 the quality of distillate which issues from the still 1 subsequent to completed outflow of forerunnings and prior to the outflow of afterrunnings may be unsatisfactory due to a malfunctioning of the apparatus~ All that is necessary is to provide the piping system 5 with one or more sealable outlets for withdrawal of samples which can be tested automatically or otherwise to ascertain whether or not the quality of distillate flowing toward the valve 6 is satisfactory for admission into the inlet 17 of the separator 9 and for admission of material at the top of the column 26 into the condenser 11.
Samples can also be removed rom the separator 9 and/or from the condenser 11 andJor 14. The valving element of the valve 6 is rest whenever necessary in order to ensure that the separator 9 will receive only high-quality distillate which can be processed into high-quality distilled spirits. Such monitoring of the quality of distillate which flows from the 2a upper end of the still 1 is desirable and advantageous on the additional ground that the constituents of an unsatisfactory portion of distillate are not li~ely or less likely to contaminate the branch 8, the separator 9 andtor the condenser llo Additional outlets for removal of samples are preferably provided in the tank 16, in the vessel 1 and/or elsewhere in the apparatus to allow for reliable and convenient moni~oring of all 3Q constituents of distillate which flows in the apparatus. Condensate which gathers in the vessel 13 constitutes high-quality distilled spirits which are devoid of urethane, fusel oil and other undesirable and potentially harmul ingredients.
FIG. 4 shows a simplified apparatus which ' .: . i ,~ . . : .

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1 can be used in a relatively small distilling plant.
The still 61 replaces the still 1 of FI~S. 1~2 and serves to receive charges of fermented mash which is heated therein to deYelop a continuous stream of dis~illate issuing by way of an outlet 65 to enter a 3-way valve 66 which can admit the stream into a first branch 67 leading into the upper portion of a condenser 74 corresponding to the condenser 14 of FIG. 1 or into a second branch 68 leading to the ~.
inlet of a separator 60. The lower portion of the condenser 74 has an outlet 49 which discharges condensed material into a tank corresponding to the tank 16 of FIG. 1. A water inlet 50 in the lower portion of the condenser 74 is connected to a source of water (not shown)~ and such water flows upwardly countercurrent to the condensate to be evacuated via outlet Sl in the upper portion of the condenser 74.
The connection between the outlet 49 and the tank for fusel oil and other undesirable ingredients can comprise a distilling or refining unit analogous to the unit 12 of FIG~ 1. Alternatively, a simple collecting receptacle can be placed beneath the : outlet 49 to collect fusel oil and other substances which are condensed while flowing from the branch 67 toward the outlet 4g.
The construction and/or mode of operation of the separator 60 can correspond to or resemble that of the separator 9. The apparatus of FIG. 4 may but need not employ a preliminary separator corresponding to the separator 2 of the apparatus which is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
The separator 60 comprises an elongated closed upright column the upper end portion of which ~- is provided with an outlet for evacuation of vapors into a conduit 70 leading into the upper portion of a ~, .

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1 condenser 71 corresponding to the condenser 11 of FIG. 1. The upper portion of the separator 60 is provided with a first chamber 54 which extends across the entire column, and a similar chamber 55 (which also extends across the entire column) is provided in the lower portion 53 of the separator 60. The chambers 54 9 55 respectively contain spray nozzles 56, 57 which are connectable to a source of pressurized water by a supply conduit 84 containing one or more shutoff valvesO
The upper portion of the separator 60 further contains a cooler 89 which corresponds to the cooler 39 of FIG~ 1, i.e., the cooler 89 can also comprise a battery of vertical parallel-connected pipes which define paths for ascending vapors and are cooled from the outside. The funnel-shaped lower portion of the separator 60 discharges into a return conduit 91 which convey~ the respective fraction of distillate entering via branch 68 back into the s~ill 61.
The vapor outlet 78 at the upper end of the separator G0 is connected wit:h the inlet at the upper end of the condenser 71 by the aforementioned conduit 70 which can constitute an overhead piping system~
The condenser 71 can ~e constructed and can operate in the same way as the condenser 11 of FIGo 1~ FIG.

4 shows an outlet 100 which is provided in the lower ~- portion of th0 condenser 71 to discharge satisfactory ., condensate into a collecting vessel (such as the vessel 13 of ~IG. 1). The connection between the outlet 100 and the condensate collecting vessel may but need not contain a distilling or refining unit corresponding to the unit 15 of FIG. 1. It is equally possible to discharge condensate which leaves 3S the condenser 71 into another collecting device, not .

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1 shown.
The mode of operation of the apparatus of E~IG. 4 is analogous to that of the apparatus of FI~S.
l to 3. During the initial stage of distilling a S charge of mash in the still 61, the valving element of the valve 66 is set to direct the stream of distillate from the outlet 65 into the branch 67 so that such material enters the upper end portion of the condenser 74. When the quality of distillate lO improves, the valving element is reset so that the valve 66 directs distillate into the branch 68 t enabling the distillate to enter the separator 60. 5 The afterrunnings are again directed ints the condenser 74 in respons~ to renewed resetting of the 5 15 valving element in the valve 66 so that the separator 60 receives only distillate which can yield satisfactory spirits. Vapors which have risen in the separator 60 leave the latter at 78 to enter the condenser 71 via overhead piping system 70. Ths 20 condensate is discharged at 100 to enter the 5 collecting vessel.
When the processing of a charge of mash is completed, the still 61 is cleaned and thereupon receives a fresh charge. The separator 60 is also 25 cleaned by admitting pressurized wat~r via supply conduit 84 and sp~ay nozzles 56, 57 in the respective f chambers 54 and 55 of the upright column. Water which issues from the nozzles 56, 57 leaves the ~` separator 60 via return conduit 91 and is used to 30 clPan the still 61 or simply passes through the still t, to be evacuated by way of one or more outlets.
'. FIG. 5 shows a third apparatus which comprises a still lOl having a hood 102 with at least one observation window 103. The upper end portion of 35 the hood 102 has an outlet which is connected with an ig ;` ~.
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1 overhead piping system 104 containing a three-way valve 105. The valving element of the valve 105 can be set to direct a stream of distillate including vapors and other ingredients, which leave the still 101 in response to heating of a charge of fermented mash therein, into a first branch 106 leading into the top portion of a condenser 107 corresponding to the condenser 14 of FIG. 1, or into a second branch 108 serving to admit distillat~ into the lower portion of a separator 109 having an upper portion 115 and a lower portion 1140 An overhead piping system 110 connects the outlet in the upper portion 115 of the separator 109 with the inlet at the upper end of a condenser 111 corresponding to the condenser 11 of FIG. 1. The valving element of the valve 105 is set to admit forerunnings and afterrunnings into the branch 106, i.e., such material bypasses the separator 109 and is admitted directly into the condenser 107. The satisfactory portion of j 20 distillate which issues from the hood 102 of the still 101 is caused to enter the branch 108 and is treated in the separator 109. The outlet 112 of the condenser 111 is connected to a vessel corresponding to the vessel 13 of FIG. 1 and serving to collect high-quality splritsO The outlet (not referenced) of the condenser 107 discharges low~r-quality material into a collecting tank (not shown) or into a conduit which returns the matexial into the still 1O1D
. The reference character 113 denotes in FIG~

5 a water heater which is used to effect appropriate heating of the charge in the still 101. The heating can be effected in a water bath in a manner which is well known from the art of distilling.
The separator 109 preferably comprises an elongated upright column and its upper portion 115 :' '. ' .
, ~ , , ~3~7~0 1 preferably contains a cooler which is analogous to or identical with the cooler 39 of FIGS. 1 and 20 The lower portion 114 of the separator 109 preferably contains one or mor~ stages which are identical with or analogous to the stages 19-23 of the separator 9.
Each such stage preferably comprises a spray nozzle corresponding to the spray nozzle 35 shown in FIGo 2~ i Instead of using separating stages of the type shown in FIG. 2, the separator 109 of the apparatus which is shown in FIG. 5 can comprise stages of the type illustrated in FIG. 8. The stage 130 which is shown in FIG. 8 is one of two or more superimposed stages which are u~ed in the separator 109 of FIG~ 5. It comprises a bubble plate 122 which extends all the way across the interlor of the column 121 of the separator 109 and has an upturned centrally located annular por~ion so as to provide a compartment for collection of fusel oil up to the level 125. ~ bubble cap 123 overlies the opening in 2Q the central portion of the bulbble plate 122 and defines therewith a meandering path for ascending vapors (note the arrow 126)o The marginal portion 124 of the bubble cap 123 dips into the body of fusel oil on the plate 122. The parts 122, 123 form a siphon which is filled with liquid. An overflow pipe 127 is provided to convey the surplus o~ reflux from the space above the bubble plate 122 into the stage 129 beneath the stage 130. Both ends of the pipe 127 are open, and the lower end of this pipe dips into 3~ the supply of liquid in the stage 129. The level of the supply of liquid in the stage 129 is indicated by the broken line 128. The overflow pipe which corresponds to the pipe 1~7 and serves to convey reflux from the stage 129 into the next-following (lower) stage is angularly offset with reference to ,. - 19 ~ , ' ~

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1 the pipe 127 (preferably through a relatively small angle) so that such overflow pipes cannot interfere with one another. The same applies for the additional overflow pipe or pipes.
The lowermost stage in the lower portion 114 of the separator 109 dischaxges liquid into a funnel-shaped portion 120 which, in turn, admits ~he llquid into a return conduit 131 for admission into the still 101. The conduit 131 preferably comprises one or more shutoff valves, not shown.
The bubble plate 123 of the stage 130 further comprises an outlet or drain opening 133 which is sealable by a plug 132 or othsr suitable sealing means. A handle 134 extends from the column 121 and ean be grasped by hand to expose or seal the outlet 133. The handle 134 will be actuated to lift the plug 132 out of the outlet 133 when the separator 109 is to be cleaned. The entire body of liquid which would normally gather on the bubble plate 122 is then free to descend into the stage 129 below the topmost stage 130.
Each stage in the lower portion 114 of the separator 109 preferably further comprises one or more ~pray nozzles which ar~ disposed above the respective bubble caps 123 and are connectable to a source of pressurized water by a supply conduit 138 containing one or more ~hutoff valves 139~ A single shutoff valve can control the admission of water into all of the nozzles~ or the means for supplying pxessurized water to the nozzles can comprise discrete conduits each containing a separate shutoff valve 139. FIG. ~ shows discrete spray nozzles 135, 136, 137, one for each of the three topmost stages in the lower portion 114 of the separator 109~ FIG. 5 further shows an additional spray nozzle 140 in the ` - 2~ -, - . . .
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1 upper portion 115 of the separator 109; such additional nozzle can receive cleaning fluid by way of the aforementioned conduit 138.
The cooler in the upper portion 115 of the separator 109 contains several vertical pipes including the pipes 141, 142 shown in the upper portion of FIG. 8. The external surfaces of such pipes are in contact with a body 143 of liquid coolant, e.g., water. '~
The mode of operation of the apparatus of FIG. 5 is analogous to that of the apparatus which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.
Referring to FIG. 6 there i9 shown an apparatus which comprises a still 151, a separator 150 mounted on top of the still, a condenser 156 which corresponds to the condenser 11 of FIG. 1, and a condenser 158 corresponding to the condenser 14 of FIG. 1. An inlet at the lower end of the separator 150 is connected with one inlet of a multi-way valve 153 by a conduit 152. A second conduit 154 connects the outlet at the upper end of the separator 150 with a second inlet of the valve 153. The latter has two outlets which are respectively connected with the inlets at the upper ends of the condensers (coolers~ ¦
156, 158 by overhead piping systems 155 and 157.
When the still 151 discharges forerunnings and aterrunnings, the valving element of the valve 153 is set to connect the conduit 152 with the piping system 155 so that the lower-quality distillate is admitted into the condenser 156. At such time, the valve 153 seals the conduit 152 and the piping system 155 from the conduit 154 and piping system 157.
However~ when the still 151 dischargas a stream of ~.
~ high-quality distillate ~subsequent to evacuation of ', 35 forerunnings and prior to evacuation of .1 ,,, , ., .

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1 afterrunnings), the valving element of the valve 153 is set to connect the conduit 154 with the piping system 157; the conduit 154 and the piping system 157 are then sealed from the conduit 152 and piping system 155. The stream of distillate which issues from the still 151 and constitutes the forerunnings and afterrunnings flows into the lower portion of ~he separator 150 to immediately leave the separator 150 via conduit 152 and to be admitted into the piping system 155 (and thence into the condenser 156) via valve 1~30 Higher-quality distillate is compelled to flow upwardly through the separator 150 and leaves the separator via conduit 154 to enter th~ piping system 157 and thence the upper end portion of the condenser 158. The separator 150 can be constructed in a manner as ~hown in FIG. 8. The spray nozzles in its lower portion are shown at 160, 161, 162 and 163, and a further spray noæzle 164 is installed in ~he upper end portion of the upright column which forms part of this separator. Each of the spray nozzles 160-163 can receive pressurized cleaning fluid (e.g., water) by way of a supply comduit 166 in response to manipulation of a valve 167. The reference character 165 denotes in FIG. 6 one of the handles corresponding to the handle 134 of FIG. 8. The mode of operation of the apparatus of FIG. 6 is analogous , to that of the apparatus which is shown in FIG. 5.
Referring finally to FIG. 7, there i5 shown , an apparatus which comprises a still 180 but does not comprise a separator corresponding to the separator 9, 60, 109 or 150. A preliminary separator 181 is provided to receive a stream of distillate issuing from the still 180 by way of an overhead piping system 181. A return pipe 184 for reflux connects the lower portion of the preliminary separator 182 .

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1 with the still 180. An overhead piping system 186 which conveys material from the upper portion of the separator 182 contains a multi-way valve 18S which can dir~ct distillate into a first branch 187 leading to the upper portion of a condenser (cooler) 188 or into a second branch 190 leading into the upper portion of a condenser 189. The forerunnings and afterrunnings of distillate which issues from the preliminary separator 182 are admitted into the branch 187 to enter the condenser 188. High-quality distillate is admitted into the branch 190 and thence into the condenser 189.
The guality of condensate which i5 diqcharged at the lower end of the condenser 189 may 15 not ~e as satisfactory as that of the condensate which has passed through a full fledged separator. 7 Therefore, the material which issues from the condenser 189 can be admitted into the still 180 for renewed treatment which is or can be the same as 20 described above~ i.eO, the valving element of the valve 185 is caused to admit l:he forerunnings and afterrunnings into the branch 187 for admission into the condenser (cooler) 188.
~n important advantage of the improved 25 apparatus is that distillate which issues from the still can be separated ~nto three distinct fractions, '~
- namely the forerunnings, high-quality distillate and the afterrunnings. While the apparatus which are shown in the drawing are designed to admit the 30 forerunnings and the afterrunnings into one and the sa~e condenser, it is equally possible to provide a valve which can direct the forerunnings, the high-quality distillate and the afterrunnings into three discrete paths. In either case, high-quality 35 distillate is devoid of harmful substances which are - 23 - ~

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~3275~

1 normally found in the forerunnings and/or afterrunnings. Moreover, harmful substances which deposit in the branch 7 and in the condenser 14 of FIG. 1 (and in the corresponding branches and condensers of other illustrated apparatus3 during the flow of afterrunnings are expelled by the forerunnings which are conveyed during processing of the next charge so that the corresponding portions of the apparatus need not necessarily be cleaned after completed treatment of each and every charge. Since the forerunnings J the high-quality distillate and the afterrunnings are conveyed one after the other, it is rather simple to separate high-quality distillate from forerunnings and afterrunnings 50 that the condenser 11 of FI~. 1 and the corresponding condensers in the apparatus of FIGS. 4 to 7 receive only distillate which yields high-quality spirits.
Switching of the valving element for the conveying of distillate into the one or the other branch which is connected to the respective outlet of the valve can be carried out by hand or automatically in order to ensure that only high-quality distillate can enter the condenser 11 or the correspondiny condensers of other illustrated apparatus.
It is desirable to manipulate the valve in such a way that the condenser for lower-quality distillate receives the forerunnings, the afterrunnings as well as a portion of the ~tream which immediately follows the forerunnings and immediately precedes the afterrunnings. In order to rPduce losses in spirits, distillate which enters the cond~nser 11 is or can be reintroduced into the still to be subjected to a second treatment which again involves segregation of the high-quality fraction from the initial fraction (forerunnings) and final ~327~

f ract ion ( af terrunn ings ) .

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~327~

1 Without further analysis, the foregoing will 50 fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications 5 without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of my contribution to the art and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be 10 comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the appended claims.

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Claims (12)

1. Apparatus for making distilled spirits from mash, comprising a still for heating a charge of mash with the resulting development of a stream of distillate containing vapors and fusel oil; a first condenser having means for condensing separated vapors; a second condenser; a multi-way valve means having an inlet connected with said still to receive the stream of distillate, a first outlet connected with said first condenser, and a second outlet connected with said second condenser, said valve means being operable to admit distillate to said first or to said second condenser.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first condenser has an outlet for condensed vapors and said second condenser has first and second outlets for condensed vapors and fusel oil, respectively, and further comprising oil collecting means connected with the second outlet of said second condenser and condensate collecting means connected with the outlet of said first condenser and with the first outlet of said second condenser.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for separating vapors from fusel oil, said separating means being disposed between said valve and said first condenser and including a vessel having a lower portion with an inlet for distillate and an upper portion with an outlet for vapors, said separating means further including means for cooling vapors which ascend from the inlet toward the outlet of said vessel, said cooling means comprising a continuous cooler in the upper portion of said vessel.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said vessel is an elongated upright column, said separating means further comprising a plurality of superimposed stages provided in the lower portion of said vessel to separate fusel oil from ascending vapors.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of said stages comprises a bubble plate for collection of fusel oil and a bubble cap defining with the respective bubble plate a path for ascending vapors.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of said stages further comprises valve-controlled means for evacuation of fusel oil therefrom.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein each of said stages further comprises a spray nozzle in the respective bubble cap and means for supplying pressurized water to the spray nozzle.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for separating vapors from fusel oil, said separating means being disposed between said valve and said first condenser and including an elongated upright column having a lower portion with an inlet for distillate and an upper portion with an outlet for vapors, said upper and lower portions respectively defining first and second chambers which extend across the entire column and said separating means further comprising at least one spray nozzle in at least one of said chambers, means for supplying pressurized water to said nozzle, and means for collecting and removing fusel oil from the lower end of said column.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of said condensers has an outlet for condensed vapors and further comprising means for collecting condensed vapors including an elongated vessel connected with the outlets of said condensers and means for agitating condensed vapors in said vessel with attendant liberation of some vapors.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said vessel has an upper portion with an outlet for liberated vapors.

11. A method of making distilled spirits from mash, comprising the steps of heating a charge of mash in a still with the resulting development of a stream of distillate containing vapors and fusel oil, the stream including forerunnings and afterrunnings during the initial and last stages of processing of the charge; evacuating the forerunnings and afterrunnings from the still along a first path; condensing the evacuated forerunnings and afterrunnings in the first path; evacuating the distillate along a second path subsequent to evacuation of forerunnings and prior to evacuation of afterrunnings; and condensing the distillate in said second path.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of separating fusel oil from vapors in the second path prior to the respective condensing step.