StillSmart

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2014-08-02T19:27:02+00:00

back on topic re the better liebig: looking at boiling points methanol is 66degC and ethanol is 78.37 degC so what is good for condensing methanol should be even better for ethanol. IPA, which I have used mine to recover, is a couple of degrees higher than ethanol so not as quite as hard to condense but very close to give a good indication. So a kilowatt a foot or better.

Statistics: Posted by ant — Sat Aug 02, 2014 7:27 pm

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2014-08-02T13:15:05+00:00

Thanks Zoid.

Was easy once I replaced the stainless bowl with a copper plate. Used part of a volkswagen swing arm exhaust clamp to finish the clamping ring. The copper plate has a picture of a galleon etched on it which makes me think I should make rum .

I'll update the bubble ball thread with pics when I get the time.

Still re-researching the pressure control and spiral prismatic packing again as my memory isn't the adamantium trap it once was. At least I have the pressure controller built and ready and I have plenty of wire for the SPP. Lets hope I don't get sidetracked again.

Was lucky enough to get a 100lt barrel for a boiler but that leaves me in a pickle as my ball screws directly into my 50lt barrel, which is very handy, and I would have to remake the base to use the 100lt as it has a different fitting . Dunno which way to go .

Statistics: Posted by ant — Sat Aug 02, 2014 1:15 pm

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2014-08-01T07:41:29+00:00

Hi Ant,

I stuck a GL liebig in my recent Boka build as you suggested, it works great. Although I can’t compare performance over a normal uncrimped liebig since it’s the only one I’ve built. But hey, can’t do any harm.

Good to hear your back on with your build!

Regards,

Statistics: Posted by Boozoid — Fri Aug 01, 2014 7:41 am

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2014-08-01T00:18:50+00:00

To answer the earlier question: yes you can solder copper to stainless using silver solder with a borax based flux. I use Easy flo.

YHB is right you only need lead free soft solder for the copper to copper. Basicly tin or pewter as it was known when made into tankards and the like.

You can also use a zinc chloride flux to soft solder copper to copper or even copper to stainless. I made some and it's very good but, if you get it on your skin wash it off quickly or it will start to burn.

I made a GL liebig myself now and it works well. Only used it for solvent recovery so far.

Also finished my bubble ball today, more or less.

Got to refresh my memory now, on what I was building before I got sidetracked, so back online.

Ant

Statistics: Posted by ant — Fri Aug 01, 2014 12:18 am

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2013-07-01T11:34:21+00:00

StillWaters wrote:
Will use lead-free silver solder or brazing rods - not sure yet.

Ordinary plumbers soft solder is more than strong enough, no need for brazing or silver solder, they just make it harder and cost a lot more.

StillWaters wrote:
I only have a 1380w boiler with a home-made power controller

That will do nicely, a larger element would speed up the warm up time but not required for a Bok.

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Mon Jul 01, 2013 11:34 am

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2013-07-01T09:15:00+00:00

googe spotted it . . . . it hasn't been soldered up yet. Just waiting for the blow torch to arrive in a couple of days. Got slightly ahead of myself and ordered/cut all the pieces and then realised I hadn't got a gas torch :0( Sign of a true plumber!!
Will use lead-free silver solder or brazing rods - not sure yet.
As far as the length and cooling capacity is concerned I only have a 1380w boiler with a home-made power controller, so should be OK at 1ltr/hr flow - that is sufficient for my 2" Boka.
Cheers, SW

Statistics: Posted by StillWaters — Mon Jul 01, 2013 9:15 am

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2013-06-30T15:02:33+00:00

Nice rig, should perform well.
700mm should knock it all down, but you might use a bit of coolant and/or water. If its an issue, you can add another 200mm overall length to it, it will become a lot more efficient.

I cant give elephant stamps out here, but if I could, I'd give you one. Or a gold star.

Statistics: Posted by emptyglass — Sun Jun 30, 2013 3:02 pm

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2013-06-30T10:37:37+00:00

Doesn't matter if you've built your first hand made still or you've done 20 of them, the hole process is exciting! . No.better.feeling running something you've built with your bare hands!, so satisfying!. I don't think it's been soldered aidan, doesn't look like it?

Statistics: Posted by googe — Sun Jun 30, 2013 10:37 am

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2013-06-30T10:33:30+00:00

Thanks Guys - I'll let you know how it performs shortly. You're right though, it sure is fun:0) Cheers, SW

Statistics: Posted by StillWaters — Sun Jun 30, 2013 10:33 am

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2013-06-30T10:27:24+00:00

Hear Hear! And not a drop of solder in sight, very tidy indeed

Nice work SW

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Sun Jun 30, 2013 10:27 am

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2013-06-30T03:16:49+00:00

StillWaters wrote:
Probably not too exciting for the more experienced members out there

You are wrong, it is exciting for us all.

It's fun isn't it?

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Sun Jun 30, 2013 3:16 am

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2013-06-30T02:43:36+00:00

OK the new 700mm Liebig is ready to go along with the new 2" Pot I also built. Probably not too exciting for the more experienced members out there but it's my first DIY project and I'm pretty pleased with the outcome. Should help me make that special Malt Scotch I crave :0) Cheers, SW

Statistics: Posted by StillWaters — Sun Jun 30, 2013 2:43 am

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2013-06-23T08:51:57+00:00

Thanks for the pics and diagrams, it was doing my head in trying to figure it out but I get it now

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Sun Jun 23, 2013 8:51 am

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2013-06-17T06:44:42+00:00

That is an interesting condenser - a coldfinger inside a Liebig. It is a usefull option for a larger bore liebig as an alternative to a turbulator.

I tried it myself (with a coiled outer jacket) but later re-purposed the components, to build the Friedrich's condenser on my pot still.

friedrich3.jpg

One possible alternative plumbing option to get the product back onto the axis of the condenser is this:

liebigx.jpg

If you wish you can add in a flow control in the coolant line between the coolant splitter and the input to the central coldfinger, to balance the flow between the 2 coolant paths. The only problem is the extra length, that why I changed to the concentric version.
http://www.stillsmart.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=2076

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:44 am

Re: build a better liebig condensor

2013-06-17T00:50:10+00:00

Hey mate, I tried to upload a picture last night but wouldn't work!. Yeah it did my head in trying to figure out how to work the plumbing too haha . Hope the pictures help.

Statistics: Posted by googe — Mon Jun 17, 2013 12:50 am