Finally made a start on a bubble ball packed column hybrid.

[ant]

After a lot of umming and ahhing I have made a small start. I cut the bottom off a stainless fire extinguisher and the top off a copper vase/jug. used a stainless dish for a plate and began the makings of a bubbleball.

The pics should tell you better. Comments welcome. Nothing is soldered yet and the plate is not drilled for the caps either. So now is the time to tell me if I am doing something wrong. Only four caps are shown in the pic but I intend seven plus the downcomer. My local Screwfix ran out of 28mm caps. up and down comers will be 22mm.

The whole thing is seven inches in dia and about eight inches high. outlet is 2" inlet will be a bit smaller as I will use the screw in spear fitting from the keg.

I beat the copper out from concaveish to convex. Used the bottom collar and bottom bowl of the fire extinguisher. Pulled a dimple in the side of the collar for the site glass fitting. Used inch and a half as that is what I had that looked to fit well. Used an RJT hygiene fitting for the outlet. Again just what I had lying around.

Any questions on how anything was done I will be happy to answer but don't want to bore you with a blow by blow. A picture paints a thousand words and the sequence should be self explanatory.

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[YHB]

I will be following this build with interest.

I got the impression that your build would be something special, I was not wrong.

Looking forward to future installments.

Brian

[ant]

Kind words Brian. I hope I can live up to them.

[YHB]

Ant,

Thanks for the plug on HD.

I have looked at Manu's video of his movable condenser system quite a few times and I really like the concept, just hate Manu's prototype with trailing hoses and the need for a pair of furnace workers gloves to make it work.

Manu - if you ever look at this forum and have tidied up your prototype I apologise.

There is so much scope for this to be developed, with some form of mechanical/ electrical device to move the coil, perhaps that has already been done, perhaps Manu has already done it.

How do you intend to make it all happen? somehow I get the impression that it will not be with a big stick - are you prepared to commit yet? or is there more pondering still to be done?


Toodlepip

Brian

[ant]

It was an honest sentiment Brian. I do admire your work, you have more patience and perseverance than I could muster. Plus an obvious design and skill level that is worthy of recognition.

No, a big stick or a pair of heavy gloves are not part of the plan. I am hoping to find or make some form of linear actuator, preferably low volts electric. The simplest thing would be string over a pulley wheel with gravity and me providing the down and up motions. Might not be reliable though so a more positive positioner would be better. Still pondering.

[Capt-Cudellez]

Very cool ant - cant wait to see how it works out for you, and how it performs.

[YHB]

Ant,

I too had a ponder last night.

How about something like this?

[ant]

Yes Brian I've considered that type of drive. Mine would be vertical like Dad300's and the devil is in the detail. Motor speed controller would be a must. With the set up you picture you would ideally want the support pipe to be a smooth sliding fit over the main pipe so it telescopes up and down. Mechanical mounting and forces to support the weight and move it have to be right as well. I would go with a single drive nut and a length of copper tube slid over the threaded rod as a guide. thick enough rod to be rigid along the length without being supported at the far end. Can't really see a way of making a support there work in practice as it all moves about; unless you cut a slot in the side of the pipe of course which I probably won't do. It is of course the way the lathe moves the saddle so well established as a workable possibility with the right engineering. I have been looking at the small motor out of a modern computer controlled carb from a petrol engine. Already mounted in a light alloy housing which would be well away from the vapour path. Still unsure though.

[YHB]

Bad drawing - sorry did not intend telescoping pipework, as you say far too much friction - only slot in pipe for nut extention to fit through.

I automatically thought of a horizontalish coil due to my situation with restricted headroom.

AD is down again can't look for Dad300's setup - I have never seen it yet, will have a look when the server is back up.

In the meantime here is a nice site I stumbled on - spendy but nice
http://www.robotshop.com/eu/motors-actuators.html

[ant]

Here is the link.

http://www.artisan-distiller.net/phpBB3 ... e4c14fcb32

I can only really focus my head on one bit at a time with a vague mental sketch of the relation to the rest. I am pushing to finish the bubble ball next but once that is done I will be able to sharpen my mind on the next task. Building from the bottom up basically.