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For this build I am going to create both a (1) refluxing apparatus and a (2) distillation apparatus for extraction (1) and solvent recovery (2). I plan to use hexanes for the initial extraction and during purification processes (filtration, defatting, water washing, etc.). Following that I will distill off the hexanes (collecting the solvent for later re-use) and introduce ethanol as a new solvent. If any terpenes distill off I will attempt to collect fractions at appropriate temperatures to purify them later--I will do IR analysis to determine what is/isn't coming out in the distillate--this will not be definitive but can provide some hints.
With the ethanol introduced, I will then distill much of it off leaving only a small amount which can then be dried over low heat, or vacuum purged. Again I will collect the solvent for re-use. Ethanol will pick up water as it distills and forms an azeotrope with water yielding 96% ethanol on distillation no matter how many times you distill it. A drying tube and vigorous drying procedures (both of the product and the apparatus) can be employed to keep this from happening, however in time all of the ethanol will be converted to ~95.6% at which time drying agents or high vacuum distillation may be employed to remove the azeotrope.
I have included some crude pictures of the apparatus, please forgive my artistry (or lack thereof).
http://i40.invalid.com/einl8i.jpg
http://i39.invalid.com/zmiae1.jpg
With the ethanol introduced, I will then distill much of it off leaving only a small amount which can then be dried over low heat, or vacuum purged. Again I will collect the solvent for re-use. Ethanol will pick up water as it distills and forms an azeotrope with water yielding 96% ethanol on distillation no matter how many times you distill it. A drying tube and vigorous drying procedures (both of the product and the apparatus) can be employed to keep this from happening, however in time all of the ethanol will be converted to ~95.6% at which time drying agents or high vacuum distillation may be employed to remove the azeotrope.
I have included some crude pictures of the apparatus, please forgive my artistry (or lack thereof).
http://i40.invalid.com/einl8i.jpg
http://i39.invalid.com/zmiae1.jpg