StillSmart

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-26T01:25:23+00:00

I am also late to this party, but would say that you do not strip with a packed column, and you always use copper pieces in your boiler.
I am always happy to be proved wrong.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Feb 26, 2018 1:25 am

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-25T20:42:03+00:00

How stupid am I that I do my stripping runs with packed column? Is it worth it? I found that I works for me, but what would be general opinion about that?

Statistics: Posted by Leatherman — Sun Feb 25, 2018 8:42 pm

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-25T19:23:17+00:00

I might be a bit late to the party here but for a stripping run, I would recommend the Pot Still over the t500, it will be much quicker and as stripping runs get hotter than spirit runs, no plastic bits involved in the column.

Statistics: Posted by Anavrin — Sun Feb 25, 2018 7:23 pm

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-25T18:51:37+00:00

Copper worked! Thanks for you advice on that! Nice stable smooth stripping run.

Statistics: Posted by Leatherman — Sun Feb 25, 2018 6:51 pm

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-19T18:12:35+00:00

^ good point.

A handful of bits of copper help in many ways.

Most use pipe offcuts (1/2 of them hammered flat) or copper washers

1. They smooth out the alcohol by reacting with the sulphites in the wash.

2. They prevent pukes by creating nucleation points & movement to aid bubble formation.

3. Indicate you are near the boil by rattling quite well, as they bounce about.

4. Maybe even reduce foaming. (starch issues)

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Mon Feb 19, 2018 6:12 pm

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-19T17:28:05+00:00

It could’ve been the Ss scrubby mate. You shouldn’t just shove it in there straight out of the packet but rather kind of pull it apart/stretch it out and then when it’s quite expanded put it in

Statistics: Posted by H12rpo — Mon Feb 19, 2018 5:28 pm

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-19T16:49:28+00:00

No, never had. Would it be helpfull? I thought that ceramic saddles should do the job?

Statistics: Posted by Leatherman — Mon Feb 19, 2018 4:49 pm

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-19T15:41:09+00:00

Have to got any copper in the bottom of the boiler?

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Mon Feb 19, 2018 3:41 pm

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-19T08:12:54+00:00

P.s
Did one spirit run on t500 set. Boiler and column and everything went very well. So it gives me an idea that it is boiler related problem

Statistics: Posted by Leatherman — Mon Feb 19, 2018 8:12 am

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-19T09:29:54+00:00

So I did some runs over weekend. Pot and reflux. Few things I found.

Reflux mode: Stripping vodka star wash. About 40litres. Used t500 reflux column and 4" to 2" reducer. To avoid saddles falling from column to boiler, just bought stainless stell scrubber (not sure if its a right name for it, something to wash pots) and push in the end on column. For any reason column was puking. Big jumps on outlet water temp and big pukes of very warm product. Used 2.5kw element for heating without controller. Can maybe someone help me to understand what was the reason for puking. Used two packs of ceramic saddles in boiler and a bit of cooking oil. Could it be that I used 2.5kw but not 2kw like t500 boiler?
Thats for your answers

Statistics: Posted by Leatherman — Mon Feb 19, 2018 8:09 am

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-09T07:41:01+00:00

I always do! And appreciate all answers and all opinions. If not you all I wouldnt be anywhere near in my understanding and enjoyment of this hooby now. Many carma points goes from me to you all.

Statistics: Posted by Leatherman — Fri Feb 09, 2018 7:41 am

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-08T23:29:09+00:00

Domasj, sometimes the other posters here make me smack my own head and ask why.
There are some smart guys out there.
Listen to what they say.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Thu Feb 08, 2018 11:29 pm

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-08T22:20:52+00:00

If it’s got a 4” ferrule on the keg you can add 4” bubble plate sections at about £150 each, the reason that torpedo you mentioned was so expensive is because it went to 6” in the middle.

Only problem if you go down this route is you’ll need an expensive deflag for a plated or packed 4” column.

Statistics: Posted by Anavrin — Thu Feb 08, 2018 10:20 pm

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-07T20:01:12+00:00

It has two 2.5kw elements. But second element is just to rise temperature in boiler in start. Just to make warming up time shorter. And distilling will be done with just one 2.5kw element and controler.Very good point about vapor speed and condenser. Would never thought about it my self. Might be very usefull advice for future.

Statistics: Posted by Leatherman — Wed Feb 07, 2018 8:01 pm

Re: From pot to reflux

2018-02-07T16:48:27+00:00

You are going to be disappointed if you try to run that rig on 5 kW.

I would be surprised if that product liebig can cope with just a single element. It is too small and to short. On a pot still like that the product condenser is always the limiting factor.

Just for arguments sake lets imagine that you have it running at full power and spewing out vapour. You then reduce that down to what looks like about 1/2" tube.
What do you think will happen to the vapour speed going into the condenser? How quickly do you think it will shoot through that liebig - and probably emerge - still as vapour.

You have a nice bit of kit but not thought through logically. It just needs a bit of thought to turn it into something useful.

If you are going to use it as a 4" 5 kW pot still you need to upgrade the condenser. Or use the 4" tube for something else and fit a 2" pot still riser. You have lots of options to think about.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Wed Feb 07, 2018 4:48 pm