A distillation furnace with a water-cooled alembic (still)

Furnace and water-cooled alembic

This furnace must have a water that is continually changed, so that the cap of the alembic standing beneath it stays always cold; this is the way to make every distillation clear and fine. After distilling, boil soft soap with the residue to clean the vessel. The alembic itself is made in a mould.

Inlet of the alembic

A label above the mouth of the alembic in the largest drawing marks the opening for putting in the charge to be distilled.

Turning the alembic pattern on a lathe

To make the alembic in relief for moulding in plaster, first have the pattern made of wood on the lathe and finish it with shearer's (fuller's) clay.

The alembic seen from above

A smaller figure at the lower right shows the alembic viewed from above.

Plaster mould for the alembic

A note beneath the lower figure labels it the plaster mould for making the alembic; a further label marks where the air issues from it.

Nel maggior disegno, sopra l'imboccatura dell'alambicco;

Sotto la figura:

Figura a sinistra:

Figura in basso a destra:

A sinistra sopra la figura:

Sotto la figura:

In the larger drawing, above the mouth of the alembic:

Beneath the figure:

Figure on the left:

Figure at the lower right:

At the left, above the figure: