I've got to say that this thread is pretty interesting... I've been reading up on this subject for quite some time now and have acquired all the necessary organic chemistry equipment to perform vacuum distillations. I've only done a couple vacuum distills but am confident in both my setup and my knowledge on the subject. The OP's original theory seems sound but since I don't have D-Lemonine but do have 95% food grade ethanol available, which is what I've been using to perform QWET extractions previously, I'll be using the 95% ethanol. I've never used butane and generally shy away from anything toxic although I've used ISO in the past before learning about QWET and finding "Everclear" in my state... I'm not sure why the OP was getting so much slack except for perhaps past schmuckery... I'm no super chemist but from all the research I've done in the past 6 months or so leads me to believe that vacuum distillation is the way to go to obtain the most THC & terpenes while avoiding any and all waxes & plant matter.
My only real question is should I still use my 95% ethanol or should I just go for some distilled water as the water has a higher boiling point than the ethanol. My plan was to perform a "blanket" vacuum distill where I vaporize THC and everything below it, thereby creating an ethanol/cannabis vapor which will condense into my waiting dry-ice chilled receiving flask. Then taking that ethanol solution and vacuum distilling off the ethanol for re-use. Boom, insta-pure concentrate! No? I'm failing to see any downside except for final collection of the concentrate from the boiling flask but I'll just redissolve in ethanol and pour out onto my trusty pyrex dish as per usual and let it air dry for a good while.
I got into this because I have crohn's disease and was VERY desperate to find any relief. I've been receiving great benefit from my QWET concentrates but I know I can do better and frankly, I need better because I still must take doctor prescribed opiods and still suffer daily. So, in my bid of desperation and curiosity I've taken up organic chemistry with a passion I've only had before when learning to play the guitar as a 13 year old. I love chemistry and so am doing this partly out of that love and partly out of that desperate search for some real relief to a condition that still holds my life back in many respects.
I'll post back with results if you all would like. I plan to document my vacuum distill tonight for my own purposes anyways but will also lay out my results for you all to see. Then you can make a real decision on whether you think vacuum distillation is stupid and overly laborious or if it actually might have real benefits and value. Some already know that it does have value visa vi fractional distillation. I've seen very few examples of anything vacuum assisted or "reduced pressure" and that has confused me greatly. Why perform a simple or steam distillation when a vacuum assist is usually always going to be faster as well as less harmful overall because of the reduced pressure? I understand vacuum pumps are expensive but I and many others just went with a water aspirator and about $25+ in garden hose equipment to turn my backyard garden hose hookup into a dual split for my graham condenser as well as my water aspirator. I realize that not everyone lives in a house with a garden hose outlet for water but am certain most people have a kitchen sink they could use just as easily. So why there aren't more articles or videos showing vacuum assisted distillations I cannot figure out...
**One last note would be that I'm VERY disappointed at how many out there will discourage folks from attempting these types of experiments because they think they can be dangerous. They CAN be dangerious, yes. I certainly don't want people blowing themselves up anymore then they already might be. Still, I can't ever readily recommend a person NOT pursue what in the end IS a scientific endeavor. We, in the United States, are truly lacking in scientific curiosity and anything that nudges a person into the scientific realm as opposed to not, well I'll take my chances and bet on the person getting into science as a good thing and not a dangerous thing that should only be performed after $2,000+ chemistry classes or by people with extensive chemistry experience only.**
You just seem butthurt because someone else is telling you you're wrong. Not many people are doing it only because it's expensive and not everyone is willing to learn how to do it, or shit, plenty of people haven't even THOUGHT about it. Learn a bit more about chemistry, and you'll come around.
