spiral-prismatic packing

[billmcc]

http://homedistiller.ru/forum/images/16 ... sadka4.jpg
SPP for short, has anyone tried this packing if so what were your results and who is the supplier.


Do you think this could compare with it and has anyone tried this
http://homedistiller.ru/index.php?id=71

cheers

[billmcc]

Ok manwell the second is stainless scrubbers but by chopping them it's meant to increase suface area just wondered if anyone had tried it.
Cheers

[YHB]

SPP is made from wire coiled into spring like shapes and cut into small pieces. A few people are experimenting with regard to the ratio between column size / spp diameter / wire diameter / material.

The SPP gives a greatly improved surface area to volume ratio over other products and the liquid retention properties are further improved if the surface of the wire is roughened with either chemical or flame etching.

Overall the results seem very attractive with an improvement over other packing materials.

It is very time consuming to make. I have stumbled on manufactures Russia, Poland and Vietnam. This being one of them

http://pracowniametaloplastyczna.pl/

With the infinite variety of shapes and sizes it would be an informed guess as to which one to go for but here are a few types to give you the idea.

[Capt-Cudellez]

Aiden - you're off the mark with your thinking on this. the stuff is MORE expensive than copper mesh, due to the time consuming method of making it.

It has also been shown to be very effective packing - it was developed my the Russians for industrial proposes, effectively you could half the column height or use narrower columns,. and achieve the same results as a larger column.
What you don't get from those photos is how tiny it is, also copper mesh could be 85% open space probably more for scrubbers.

So what I'm thinking is could a counter tip still like the T500 packed with SPP achieve 95+%? Maybe.
If packing a larger column, we can run with more power and have an increased take off speed.

I've got some stainless SPP coming to me from Poland - (bloody slow transit time) and plan to pack the VM with it - also adding a bubble plate at the bottom of the column. I'm hoping these 2 additions will mean I can hold off upgrading to a 3" column.

[Jimmy]

What's a rough idea of price to fill say a T500 column with these then?

[Capt-Cudellez]

Jimmy, for a 24x2 column you would need 1.2 litres. The stuff retails at 85 zlotys per litre for the stainless.
The main problem being shipping costs, per litre it weighs 3.5lbs. I ordered 2.5l and the shipping was 150 zlotys.

I spoke to another maker regarding some copper to use in the top of the column. He is maxed out for capacity at the mo for a large order. If I do get a time back from him. I should have enough left over to fill a T500, so watch this space.

Riku the author of the building automatic stills book, has been playing with this packing on a E-VM arc still. And is pushing 3.5l per hour take off.

[Jimmy]

To save anyone else the bother of finding out, 100 zlotys is about 20 quid!

[YHB]

Capt'n

Now that I have finished my parrot I am looking for the next project.

I am considering the possibility of making my own SPP.

I have sourced some mandrells that I think will do the job and I have an old, slow, high torque drill that I can convert.

All that remains is to find the right feedstock. I have been looking at 0.6mm dia or 0.8mm dia MIG welding wire. But it is working out more expensive (20 pounds a Kilo) to buy the wire than the price you quote to buy the completed SPP from Poland.

I am thinking that I may be basing my calculations on the wrong diameter wire.

The question is - Do you know what diameter wire is the SPP that you quote "per litre it weighs 3.5lbs" based on?

[Capt-Cudellez]

I believe the size of wire used is relative to the column - there is a formula, but I don't know it. When I saw the crazy contraptions making this stuff i knew it was beyond my capabilities.

The wire for the 2" is 0.25mm - it took me several weeks and emails to get any info out of the guy - he doesn't speak any English, and his friend was translating for him, it was a long process.

Hopefully the package will arrive at some point - I may be off on the weights due to the translation issues above - so don't base anything on that alone.

[YHB]

Capt'n,

I know what you mean about the automated setups, I am surprised that they have any fingers left(maybe they don't).

My thinking has only been as far as winding the SPP into continuous strips and then subcontracting cutting it into small pieces to my wife.

I have had a look at 0.25mm wire and all the types I can find are price prohibitive, a couple of guys on AD are quoting $4 a pound for 0.6mm Gr304 but you have to buy a seriously huge quantity to get that rate.

It was just a thought to fill in some evenings. I will find something else to make.

[billmcc]

Hi yhb would this be any good
http://www.wires.co.uk/acatalog/cu_bare.html

Dont forget when the retailer sells ssp they sell by the litre so the roll of wire when in spirals could go a fair way?

[Capt-Cudellez]

I know what you mean about the automated setups, I am surprised that they have any fingers left(maEybe they don't)..

Maybe that's why it takes him so long to respond to my emails, punching away at the keyboard with his little stumps

[YHB]

[quote]" Maybe that's why it takes him so long to respond to my emails, punching away at the keyboard with his little stumps"/quote]

Wishfull thinking????

[YHB]

"A pic of a couple of pieces in your hand will give us a clear understanding of what we're dealing with."

Aidan,

I stumbled on this picture of some SPP - that gives a good indication of size.




Click picture to enlarge

[YHB]

Hi yhb would this be any good
http://www.wires.co.uk/acatalog/cu_bare.html

Dont forget when the retailer sells ssp they sell by the litre so the roll of wire when in spirals could go a fair way?

Bill,

Thanks this is a great link - why I have not found this I do not know - full range of sizes in both copper and stainless - with sample and bulk rolls, perfect - I will do a bit more research on sizes and keep you posted - thanks again