So.. SWIM is making a certain acid:
1) Things go well.. acid is produced.. starts condensing in product flask.
2) Suckback starts a little.. so increase heat a little since more acid needs to be produced.
3) 30 seconds later SWIM hears a slurping sound...
4) Within 5 secs.. like 300ml's of water is sucked back into the reactant flask. ARG!
So.. minor setback.. sets up for redistillation:
1) things go well.. acid is concentrating up.
2) 2 hours into it.. the guy takes a break for a glass of water..
3) Comes back to find most of the flask now filled with MORE suckback'd water.
So.. SWIM's Newbee experience has learned a lesson:
1) Suckback happens fast when it starts.
2) WATCH YOUR REACTION UNTIL COMPLETION. Maybe elder bees can leave for a sandwich or beer.. but get some experience before leaving any reaction on it's own.
3) Find a solution for suckback.. invest a few bucks in a oneway valve or something. Anybody have other simple ideas for this?
Hope this helps somebody else from making the same mistake
. *sigh* SWIM now has approx. 7 hours or so to finish the distill now.