StillSmart

Did a run on Sat as I've 2x25litres lentil to get done. I noticed after a while the neutral in the DJ had a blue tint to it. I did a search and it looks like the wash was on the alkaline side a little....I'm going to run it again maybe tomorrow...fingers crossed.

That should only happen if you have copper in the vapour path? I've run very alkaline washes (a saturated solution of heads and baking soda) though the airstill and even with a handful of pennies in it, never got a blue colour.

Chuck

I have discovered that the mass of copper which is my condenser,after a period of no use,despite washing with water,after last use and before next use,causes some blue in the next strip.
This is missing from the next strip or spirit run.
Until the still has another period of no use.
This doesn't worry me.
Robert.

chill wrote:That should only happen if you have copper in the vapour path? I've run very alkaline washes (a saturated solution of heads and baking soda) though the airstill and even with a handful of pennies in it, never got a blue colour.

Chuck

These T500's do have copper "bits" at the top of the column, you add them first when you fill..then the rest of the filling is ceramic. Maybe this blue tint is them getting "cleaned" under reflux.

Easydrinker wrote:I have discovered that the mass of copper which is my condenser,after a period of no use,despite washing with water,after last use and before next use,causes some blue in the next strip.

Robert.

I will strip the column later on today and check it...and in the future drop the packing out after a run...it only takes a few minutes.

You might try soaking all copper parts in a 60 degree bath of citric acid (lemon juice will work)and water. Copper will oxidize sitting around. Equipment should be kept clean.

RumJohn wrote:You might try soaking all copper parts in a 60 degree bath of citric acid (lemon juice will work)and water. Copper will oxidize sitting around. Equipment should be kept clean.

Funny thing RumJohn I ordered a kg of food grade citric acid last Sat off Ebay for this reason. I wan't to soak my pothead that I've now finished to help clean the crap out. I've read where folks don't clean their column between runs...but after this I'll always strip and clean.

@Icefever: To expand a bit. I dont use a citric bath any longer. When I shift between a strip and a spirit run I now clean the inside of the column with a dish detergent and a 3M scrubber. It is quicker and works well. With any method, rinse well.

I used to citric acid wash my copper packing but now use stainless as the copper mesh is too difficult to get here. I always rinse immediately after a run while column is still hot.

Clean equipment is essential. Not like a tea pot which gets better with use.

RumJohn wrote:Clean equipment is essential. Not like a tea pot which gets better with use.

Cheers RumJohn...I'm only going to soak the pothead & liebig to help with the clean up of it...and then to keep clean any copper boil rings that I use in the future.