spric, is that ground aluminum foil, aluminum wire, or aluminum sheeting/flashing?
SWIM has ~50mL (~56g) "known good" ketone and is willing to try a slower, thicker Al route, but using MeNO2, and report the results.
can SWIM have suggestions, specifically to amounts of Al, MeOH, HgCl2, MeNO2, suggested addition time, and expected reaction time.
SWIM has 1L, 2L and 3L RB flasks, with 1" and 3" egg bars (the 3" won't fit in a 24/40 neck though), a 1L mantle, the usual gear.