Fig. 33.—Section of Gillaume’s Inclined Column Still.
A distinctly modern type of still, though akin to the still shown in Figs. [19] and [20], is the inclined column of Gillaume, shown in section in Fig. [33] and in full view in Fig. [34]. Gillaume in devising this form of apparatus had particularly in mind the distillation of thick washes, and the necessity of compelling a circulation of the wash.
Fig. 34.—Gillaume’s Inclined Column Still.
The bottom of the inclined column A is divided by lateral extending, upwardly projecting plates or partitions a forming a continuous channel through which the wash passes from side to side and from top to bottom and then out through a regulator. The upper plate of the column has downwardly projecting partitions b which with the partitions a form a series of traps. The steam enters at the bottom of the column into a reservoir, and in order to pass upward is forced beneath each partition b and through the washer contained in the channels of the bottom. When it reaches the upper end of the column it has passed through a continuous series of wash-filled compartments containing a constantly moving current of wash.
The vapors from the top of the column pass off to the wash heater or to a concentrator.
In Fig. [34] is shown a form of Gillaume still designed to distill all sorts of liquids whether thin or thick. The wash is supplied from an overhead tank to a regulating tank K from which a pipe k leads to a regulating tap m. The wash re-ascends into the wash heater B and when heated descends by pipe F into the uppermost compartments of the column A. The vapor passes to the condenser B, by a pipe H, and the spent wash is discharged by a siphon C. In addition to the parts above referred to, a designates entrance of wash into heater, b exhaust test tube, d steam entrance tap G alcohol test glass, G′ exhaust test glass, o valve for regulating strength of spirit, O steam regulator, p water entrance tap, r exit tap, and D the spent wash extractor.