Distillation

M

Midwest Ninja

Joined
Jun 26, 2007
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I think most people carry either a filter or tablets (or both) for their water purification needs. However, I'm curious about the efficiency of distillation. I know simply boiling water for a few minutes would largely take care of microbial problems, but it strikes me that distillation, while slower, would probably be better for particulates given the extra time and materials. What do you gents think?
 
Boiling and tabs remove biological threats, distillation does that and removes chemical threats as well. Remember, though, if the water is badly contaminated, sometimes no amount of purification is possible due to the fact that toxicity levels can be so high, you can't go near it in the first place.
 
On a semi-related note;
I researched distillation out of curiosity when I brewed a batch of wine that went bad. Historically one way to not let it go to waste was just to distill it into brandy. However I never tried it after I found out it's a serious offense/criminal just to even posess (unlicenced) distillation equipment. Even if you're only using it to distill water, or whatever else. So, if you guys do try this out, it would probably be wise not to flood the internet with pictures of your experiments or something.
 
possum,

Just FYI, many water distillers are used and sold legally everywhere in the U.S. They don't distill other liquids. :)

Google "water distiller" and tons come up, even at chain stores.
 
Moonshine is not my goal- I have other "sources" for such... :D

The reason I bring it up is because its seems like it would be very easy to improvise-a fire, a couple containers, and s plastic sheet like a garbage bag is all you'd need. I think.:o That's why I'm asking, there's always more than one way to skin a cat.
 
In hot sunny climes: Two plastic soda bottles side by side, one slightly elevated and covered to reflect away heat.

Pee in the lower one, put the whole thing in the sun, water evaporates and collects in the higher one. Your mileage may vary. Not much, but better than nothing in a pinch. There's more detail to it, but I'd have to show it. I'll take a pic and upload when I can. Minus the pee.

Caution: remember which one is your drinking bottle.

If Bear Grylls had known this, he wouldn't have had to drink so much urine. :D
 
I was imagining a plastic sheet of some kind suspended over my boiling water. If I tilt it at an angle, it should drop the condensed water vapor into a collection container...right?
 
Yes. As always the devil is in the details, as you need a lot of water, sun, and tarp to produce any real quantity of water.
 
I was surprised at the high price of portable solar-powered stills capable of turning our a few cups a day -- under pretty much ideal conditions. Maybe thinking about gear to work with a backpackable pot would be the way to go. Maybe some heavy foil, a tube, hose clamp, and a collecting bag?

I would be concerned about chemical pollution if it consists of volitile chemicals. Might they form a vapor and condense with the water?
 
Let the water boil first for awhile without collecting this hopefully will remove the volatile contaminants then collect the potable water. This assumes availability of water, time and heat source. Charcoal (from a clean wood fire) may remove some organics as well.
 
Distillation takes a lot of energy, time and equipment. The plus side is you can make almost any water drinkable.
 
blazink said:
Distillation takes a lot of energy, time and equipment. The plus side is you can make almost any water drinkable.
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Right. I don't see this as being useful for backpacking as much as general primitive living or longer-term camping. One concern is whether any water would transpire through the plastic, at least in any significant quantity.
 
Yes, that's exactly it: buy a power water distiller for your house, but that's about the extent.
 
The only issue I see is that distillation also "removes" minerals/electrolytes needed for proper hydration, adding some salt to distilled water should compensate it.


Jaime Orozco.
 
Orozcov said:
The only issue I see is that distillation also "removes" minerals/electrolytes needed for proper hydration, adding some salt to distilled water should compensate it.


Jaime Orozco.
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I have never consumed water for its mineral value; it was just to keep a decent amount of water in me. Am I missing something here?
 
Pure water alone, without electrolytes and salts, will not keep you alive. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can happen even if you are hydrated but lacking salt and electrolytes.

The body waits until were already 2-5% dehydrated before sounding the thirst alarm. Although some vitamins and meds can turn your urine darker, in general, clear to light yellow urine shows proper hydration. Darker yellow indicates dehydration. Salt and electrolytes lost can usually be replaced by normal diet or adding a tad to your water (ideal: 0.1% solution). (Eric Weiss, M.D.)

Ron Hood advises that you should pee at least a quart of fluid per day on the trail.

Avoid overly sugary drinks, and caffeinated drinks when hydration is key.
 
Midwest Ninja said:
I have never consumed water for its mineral value; it was just to keep a decent amount of water in me. Am I missing something here?
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Electrolytes allow water absortion at cellular level, that's the mechanism to incorporate water to your body.


Jaime Orozco.
 
Midwest Ninja said:
Right. I don't see this as being useful for backpacking as much as general primitive living or longer-term camping. One concern is whether any water would transpire through the plastic, at least in any significant quantity.
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But, as a devotee of the Dread God Murphy, I must suggest that "survival situation" often equates with "out (much) longer than planned when backpacking."

Sure, it's hardly the most convenient way, but if you had no filter and no chemicals -- say one broke and the other was used up, do you rule a still out because it's not convenient? The typical hole-in-the-ground solar stills are inconvenient and ineffective. Transpiration bags are inconvenient and not very effective. Making a sand/charcoal filter is inconvenient and not 100% safe. Blotting up dew with a sponge is WAY inconvenient, of uncertain effectiveness, and can result in botting up bird droppings. :barf:

I think we should share info on all the inconvenient ways - like real flint and steel.


MJ, why a concern about transpiration through plastic? I thought water molecules were too large to pass through most plastics, but Lord knows I've been worng [that is "wrong"] before.
 
Brian Jones said:
Pure water alone, without electrolytes and salts, will not keep you alive. Heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke can happen even if you are hydrated but lacking salt and electrolytes.
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I agree Brian, but this would be a rather unusual case where severe amounts of perspiration was lost (Salts + water) and only compensated by drinking water (lacking salts). If you are eating regularly and not losing massive amounts of water to perspiration I doubt you would run into this kind of problem. The small amount of minerals found in mineral or spring water don't really contribute to the osmotic pressure of your blood. Sodium is the main factor regulating total blood osmolarity. Drinking iso-osmotic fluid would be the best, it actually tastes salty - like the blood from your bleeding lip. A lot of sports jocks/meds recommend gateraide diluted by half as a near optimum formulation of water + salts + sugars.

[Edit] - one area where distillation could be useful is when encountering brackish or salt water. Distillation could be used to make this water drinkable, albeit at a cost of fuel and time.
 
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