The Art of Perfumery, and Methods of Obtaining the Odors of Plants

Thus, suppose you wished to reduce 10 gallons of spirit, at 54 overproof, down to proof, add 54 to 100 = 154; multiply by the quantity, 10 gallons (154 × 10) = 1540. The required strength being proof, of course there is nothing either to add to or take from 100; therefore, 1540 divided by 100 = 15.4 gallons at proof; showing that 10 gallons must be made to measure 15 gallons, 3 pints, 4 fl. oz., by the addition of water. To ascertain what quantity of spirit of any given strength will contain one equivalent of absolute alcohol. Add the overproof per centage of the given spirit to 100, as before; and with the number thus obtained divide 4062.183. The result gives in gallons the quantity equal to four equivalents (46 × 4). Example.--How much spirit at 54 per cent. overproof is equal to 1 equivalent of absolute alcohol? Here, 54 + 100 = 154 and 4062.183 = 26.3778 galls., or 26 galls. 3 pts. -------- 154 which, divided by 4, gives 6 gallons, 4 pints, 15 oz. Suppose the spirit to be 60 overproof,-- 4062.183 {one-fourth of which is equal then ---------- = 25.388 gallons, {to 6 gallons, 2 pints, (100 + 60) {15-1/2 oz. This rule is founded on the following data. As a gallon of water weighs 10 lbs., it is obvious that the specific gravity of any liquid multiplied by 10 will give the weight of one gallon. The specific gravity of absolute alcohol is 0.793811; hence, the weight of one gallon will be 7.93811 lbs., and its strength is estimated at 75.25 overproof.