AU2020100452B4

AU2020100452B4 - Distilling apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2020100452B4
Application number: AU2020100452A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Damian Howarth
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-03-24
Filing date: 2020-03-24
Publication date: 2020-12-10
Anticipated expiration: 2028-03-24
Also published as: AU2020100452A4

Abstract

The present invention is directed to distilling apparatus for distillation of liquid, the distilling apparatus including a first portion with a first end and a second end, a second portion with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second 5 portion is movably connected or connectable to the second end of the first portion, the second portion having a condensing section, a reflux collection point between the first end and the condensing section of the second portion, and a pot collection point between the second end and the condensing section of the second portion; wherein the second portion is adapted to move relative to the first portion between a first 10 position and a second position, wherein in the first position the reflux collection point is located at a level below the pot collection point and wherein in the second position the pot collection point is located at a level below the reflux collection point.

Description

DISTILLING APPARATUS

FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to distilling apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates, but is not limited, to distilling apparatus for extracting different fraction of distillate and/or distillate with increased concentration. The patent specification describes this use, but it is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Alcohol distillation is a process in which a liquid of raw materials including grapes and other fruits is boiled, condensed and collected in a container. Distillation is essential for separating liquid mixtures of raw materials into their individual components by heat. The desired individual components including ethanol and other flavouring and aroma compounds can then be collected. The composition and the concentrations of each desired individual components can vary depending on the distillation process. That is, the quality and the aroma of the alcohol can be greatly influenced by the distillation technique. One common distillation technique is the use of a distillation column. A distillation column collects vapor of the individual components generated from heating the liquid of raw materials. A condenser that is fitted in the column will help to cool down the vapor to convert it back into a liquid state. The converted liquid is known as the distillate and can be collected for use to produce an alcoholic beverage. Different alcoholic beverages benefit from different concentrations of ethanol and/or different flavour and aroma compounds. Different methods or equipment is generally required to either obtain a high and purer concentration of alcohol content or to obtain a variety of distillates at different concentrations for the desired flavour and aroma profile. The use of different methods and/or different equipment have limitations. For example, it is time consuming to switch to different methods or different equipment in order to obtain different distillates at different desired concentrations. It is also costly to obtain different equipment and require more space in order to house all the different equipment.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an objective of the present invention to provide distilling apparatus which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in distilling apparatus for distillation of liquid, the distilling apparatus including a first portion with a first end and a second end; a second portion with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second portion is movably connected or connectable to the second end of the first portion; the second portion having a condensing section; a reflux collection point between the first end and the condensing section of the second portion; and a pot collection point between the second end and the condensing section of the second portion, wherein the second portion is adapted to move relative to the first portion between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the reflux collection point is located at a level below the pot collection point and wherein in the second position the pot collection point is located at a level below the reflux collection point. In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in distilling apparatus for distillation of liquid, the distilling apparatus including a first portion with a first end and a second end; a second portion with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second portion is movably connected or connectable relative to the second end of the first portion; the second portion having a condensing section; a reflux collection point between the first end and the condensing section of the second portion; and a pot collection point between the second end and the condensing section of the second portion, wherein the second portion is adapted to move relative to the first portion between a first position in which distillate is collected at the reflux collection point and a second position in which distillate is collected at the pot collection point. Preferably, the first portion and the second portion are made of glass. In another embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are made of stainless steel. In another embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are made of ceramics, aluminium, copper, metal alloys, or the like. Preferably, the first portion and the second portion are tubular. In another embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are in the shape of a pipe, a cannula, a cylinder, a duct, or a conduit. Preferably, in the first position the first portion and the second portion substantially form an S shape. Preferably, in the second position the first portion and the second portion substantially form a U shape. Preferably, the second portion can be rotated substantially 1800 relative to the first position. More preferably, the second portion can be rotated substantially 3600 relative to the first portion. Preferably, the condensing section includes a condenser. Preferably, the condenser is a coil condenser. In another embodiment, the condenser is an air condenser, an Allihn condenser, a Bailey-Walker condenser, a double surface condenser, a Friedrichs condenser, a Graham condenser, a Hopkins condenser, a Liebig condenser, an Othmer condenser, a West condenser, a Wiley condenser, or the like. Preferably, the reflux collection point includes a reflux outlet for obtaining the distillate from the reflux collection point. Preferably, the reflux outlet is a pipe. In another embodiment, the reflux outlet is a tube, a cannula, a cylinder, a duct, or a conduit extended from the reflux collection point. Preferably, the reflux collection point further includes a weir. Preferably, the weir inhibits the distillate flowing from the condensing section to the first portion. Preferably, the weir extends across a part of a cross section in the second portion between the reflux collection point and the first end of the second portion. Preferably, the weir has a height that is sufficient to retain distillate at the reflux collection point. In one embodiment, the weir is made of the same material as the second portion. Preferably, the reflux collection point further includes a valve. In one embodiment, the valve is an adjustable valve. Preferably, the valve is a ball valve. In another embodiment, the valve is a gate valve, a globe valve, a plug valve, a butterfly valve, a swing check valve, a diaphragm valve, a pinch valve, a safety valve, a relief valve, or the like. Preferably, the pot collection point includes a pot outlet for obtaining the distillate from the pot collection point. Preferably, the pot outlet is a pipe. In another embodiment, the pot outlet is a tube, a cannula, a cylinder, a duct, or a conduit extended from the reflux collection point. Preferably, when the second portion is in the first position, the condensing section is located at a level above the reflux collection point and at a level below the pot collection point. Preferably, when the second portion is in the first position, the condensing section is located at a level above a point where the first portion and the second portion is connected. Preferably, when the second portion is in the second position, the condensing section is located at a level above the pot collection point and at a level below the reflux collection point. Preferably, when the second portion is in the second position, the condensing section is located at a level below the point where the first portion and second portion is connected. Preferably, when the second portion is in the first position, vapour generated from the liquid for distillation passed through the first portion to the condensing section of the second portion. The condensing section preferably condensed the vapour into liquid distillate. The liquid distillate preferably flows from the condensing section to the reflux collection point. The weir preferably retains the distillate at the reflux collection point. The valve preferably enables the distillate to be collected from the reflux collection point via the outlet. The valve is preferably adapted to control the flow rate of the distillate out of the reflux collection point. Preferably, when the second portion is in the second position, the liquid distillate generated by the condensing section flows from the condensing section to the pot collection point. In one embodiment, a valve at the pot collection point enables the distillate to be collected from the pot collection point via the outlet. The valve is preferably adapted to control the flow rate of the distillate out of the pot collection point. In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a system for distillation of liquid, the system including a distilling apparatus; and a boiler. Preferably, the distilling apparatus is a distilling apparatus as described in this specification. Preferably, the boiler includes a container to house the liquid for distillation. Preferably, the container is a flask. In another embodiment, the container is a tank. Preferably, the boiler includes a heat source to vaporise the liquid for distillation. More preferably, the heat source is an adjustable heat source. Preferably, the boiler is connected to the apparatus. In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a method of obtaining a distillate from a distilling apparatus as described in this specification, the method including locating the second portion of the distilling apparatus in the first position; heating a liquid for distillation in the boiling device to vaporise the distillate for collection; condensing the vapour into liquid distillate; collecting the distillate from the condensing section at the reflux collection point; retaining the distillate at the reflux collection point; and obtaining the distillate from the reflux outlet. Preferably, the vapour is condensed by the condenser. Preferably, the step of obtaining the distillate from the reflux outlet including opening the valve at the reflux collection point to extract the distillate from the distilling apparatus. Preferably, prior to the step of obtaining the distillate from the reflux outlet, the method further includes a step of restricting the amount of distillate that can exit the reflux collection point by the valve such that excess distillate overflows the weir and returns to the boiler via the first portion.

Preferably, prior to the step of obtaining the distillate from the reflux outlet, the method further includes repeating the distillation process of the excess distillate returned to the boiling device. In another aspect the present invention broadly resides in a method of obtaining a distillate from a distilling apparatus as described in this specification, the method including locating the second portion of the distilling apparatus in the second position; heating a liquid for distillation to vaporise the desired distillate for collection; condensing the vapour into liquid distillate; collecting the distillate from the condenser at the pot collection point; and obtaining the distillate via the pot outlet. Preferably, the vapour is condensed by the condenser. Preferably, the valve at the reflux collection point is closed to prevent the vapour passing through the reflux collection point into the reflux outlet. Preferably, the step of obtaining the distillate via the pot outlet including opening a valve at the pot collection point to extract the distillate from the distilling apparatus. The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a distilling apparatus according to a preferred embodiment in a first position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the distilling apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic view of the distilling apparatus of Figure 1 in a second position;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the distilling apparatus of Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to Figures 1-4, there is shown the distilling apparatus 10 according to a preferred embodiment. The distilling apparatus 10 includes a first portion 12. The first portion 12 is tubular. A second portion 13 is movably attached to the first portion 12. The second portion 13 is tubular. The second portion 13 is movably attached to the first portion 12 by a movable joint 11. The second portion 13 includes a condenser 14. The condenser 14 is a coil condenser. The second portion also includes a reflux collection point 15. A weir 16 is located between the reflux collection point 15 and the movable joint 11. The reflux collection point 15 includes a valve 17. The reflux collection point 15 also includes a reflux outlet 18. The reflux outlet 18 is a pipe. The second portion further includes a pot collection point 19. The pot collection point includes a pot outlet 20. The pot outlet 20 is a pipe. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the second portion is shown in a first position relative to the first portion. The first portion 12 and the second portion 13 substantially formed an S shape. In this position, the condenser 14 is located at a level above the reflux collection point 15 and at a level below the pot collection point 19. The condenser 14 is also located at a level above the movable joint 11. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the second portion is shown in a second position relative to the first portion. The first portion 12 and the second portion 13 substantially formed a U shape. In this position, the condenser 14 is located at a level above the pot collection point 19 and at a level below the reflux collection point 15. The condenser 14 is also located at a level below the movable joint 11. In use, the distilling apparatus 10 is connected to a boiler (not shown). The boiler includes an adjustable heat source. The boiler is set to a specific temperature to vaporise the desired distillate(s) for collection. With reference to Figures 1 and 2, in the first position, the vapour passes through the first tubular portion 12, the movable joint 11 and to the condenser 14 in the second tubular portion 13. The condenser 14 condenses the vapour into liquid distillate.

The liquid distillate flows from the condenser 14 to the reflux collection point 15. The weir 16 retains the distillate at the reflux collection point 15. At this point, the liquid distillate can be obtained by opening the valve 17 to extract the liquid distillate through the reflux outlet 18. The valve 17 can also be adjusted to control the flow rate of the liquid distillate from the reflux collection point 15. Any excess distillate which flow over the weir 16 will return to the boiler via the first portion 12. Obtaining distillate from the reflux outlet 18 typically results in a distillate that has a higher alcohol content. With reference to Figures 3 and 4, in the second position, the vapour passes through the first tubular portion 12, the movable joint 11 and to the condenser 14 in the second tubular portion 13. The valve 17 that is attached to the reflux collection point 15 is closed to prevent the vapour passing through the reflux collection point 15 into the reflux outlet 18. The condenser 14 condenses the vapour into liquid distillate. The liquid distillate flows from the condenser 14 to the pot collection point 19. The distillate can be obtained via the pot outlet 20. Obtaining distillate from the pot outlet typically results in a distillate that is higher in flavour components.

ADVANTAGES An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is that different fraction of distillate and/or distillate with increased concentration can be collected. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment is that a more concentrated and more pure fractions of distillate can be obtained from the present invention in a first position. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment is that distillate that is higher in flavour components can be obtained from the present invention in a second position. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment is that it enables the collection of different fractions/concentrations of distillate without the need for different distillation equipment.

VARIATIONS While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative examples of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. A distilling apparatus for distillation of a liquid, the distilling apparatus including a first portion with a first end and a second end; and a second portion with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second portion is movably connected or connectable to the second end of the first portion; the second portion having a condensing section; a reflux collection point between the first end of the second portion and the condensing section of the second portion; and a pot collection point between the second end of the second portion and the condensing section of the second portion, wherein the second portion is adapted to move relative to the first portion between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the reflux collection point is located at a level below the pot collection point and wherein in the second position the pot collection point is located at a level below the reflux collection point.

2. A distilling apparatus for distillation of a liquid, the distilling apparatus including a first portion with a first end and a second end; and a second portion with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second portion is movably connected or connectable relative to the second end of the first portion; the second portion having a condensing section to condense vapour into distillate; a reflux collection point between the first end of the second portion and the condensing section of the second portion; and a pot collection point between the second end of the second portion and the condensing section of the second portion, wherein the second portion is adapted to move relative to the first portion between a first position in which distillate is collected at the reflux collection point and a second position in which distillate is collected at the pot collection point.

3. A distilling apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the condensing section includes a condenser, and wherein the second portion includes a weir located in the second portion between the reflux collection point and the first end of the second portion, wherein in the first position the weir retains distillate at the reflux collection point.

4. A method of obtaining a distillate from a distilling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method including locating the second portion of the distilling apparatus in the first position; heating a liquid for distillation in the boiling device to vaporise the distillate for collection; condensing the vapour into liquid distillate; collecting the distillate from the condensing section at the reflux collection point; retaining the distillate at the reflux collection point; and obtaining the distillate from a reflux outlet.

5. A method of obtaining a distillate from a distilling apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the method including locating the second portion of the distilling apparatus in the second position; heating a liquid for distillation to vaporise the desired distillate for collection; condensing the vapour into liquid distillate; collecting the distillate from the condenser at the pot collection point; and obtaining the distillate via a pot outlet.