Packing question

[Matilda]

Hi all,

I want to make a 54mm copper reflux at around 5' height.
I'll have an 8" (ish) double coil condenser at the top...and the column, I think, will be stuff with copper scrubbers. (Perhaps 10?)

Is there a benefit in having them spaced? Or all together? If spaced...how does one space them?

In theory, I could have one every 3 (ish) inches, or I could have 10 all together in 10inches... Or bunches of a few, I guess...

I've done a lot of research and I'm pretty close to a final design... Just working on the tweaks before I post it and the more experienced of you to pull it apart!

Thanks

[RumJohn]

I would pack them together without gaps that might cause turbulance. But not so tight that return flow is restricted in any way.

[Almanac]

The use of copper in the column is good in some circumstances but not all

I made the assumption that copper mesh packing would be the dogs bol..x but if you're making sugar washes I'd recommend using stainless steel scrubbers as packing with just a couple of inches of copper mesh added for the stripping run only.

Most "copper" scrubbers available today are just copper plated and you must not use these as they will break down very quickly in the vapour path adding quare things to your distillate

My packed column was 1350mm from boiler neck to take off valve and the lower 900mm was packed with stainless steel scrubbers with no gaps.

I used a retaining fitting at the bottom of the column to stop the scrubbers dropping into the boiler and centring rings at two points in the packing to centre the reflux returning to the boiler.

AM

[scarecrow]

+1 aidanmac.

Copper scrubbers will need to be replaced frequently and they are expensive.
SS scrubbers will last a lifetime.

scarecrow

[Capt-Cudellez]

You do really have to pack those scrubbers in there. You should be able to breath through the column, but not blow through it.

[RumJohn]

Unless I am doing a neutral for vodka or gin, I dont use any packing for either the stripping run or spirit run. I used to, but there is no gain.