StillSmart

Soooo....I got fed up with my cm still and decided to build a pot head and VM column.

The pot head I built is the same one that aidanmac uses. It is complete and ready for acid wash/vinegar run.

The VM column is pretty much complete...but I have a few questions. The purpose of the vm column is to run as pure as possible neutral\vodka. I want to see 95%+ abv (a weird and sick obsession of mine LOL)

VM column credentials...

2 inch column - 5 ft long
1 inch gate valve
8.5 inch condensing coil
14 inch condenser sleeve
5 ft long Liebig - 1\2 inch inner and 1 inch outter sleeve.

Question 1 - how long should the 2 inch column be? I've read and read and read but for some reason can't find a definitive answer. Ive read that with spp it can be shorter about 30 inches and equalize\run 95+% abv. 5 ft is about the absolute max I can have but would like to make it shorter if possible. I am going to be using copper mesh\ss scrubbers as packing (I don't have enough copper mesh to fill the entire column). What does having a longer column do? More specifically what is the difference between 5 ft column and 10 ft column. As well, what would be the difference between a 5 ft and 4 ft column.

Question 2 - how do you guys keep the packing from entering the vapour area (the tee section that leads up to condenser and out to valve) once the tee is soldered onto the column? I was thinking to put a cross of wire at the top of the column but don't know if that will affect anything? Or I could just not solder it and seal it with flour paste or something but would like to stay away from the paste.

Question 3 - I've left my condenser sleeve 14 inches because I want to possibly install a LM take off underneath the condenser and above 2 inch tee. I'm not decided yet if I'm going to do this but don't wanna cut the sleeve shorter and then decide I want the LM take off (slated plates). I've read that LM can concentrate heads better than a straight VM. I guess what I'm trying to ask is will it be OK to leave the sleeve that long and run vm or should the condeser coil be closer to the tee to create a type of choke or for some other reason that I have not considered. I am not planning on running centering rings just yet until I decide what I'm doing with the LM plates as they will center the liquid for me.

More info

I've modified the lid to my essentia boiler to mate with both still heads I made. Boiler is 3000 watts (1500watts x 2 elements). I had a friend make me 2 power controllers that can be infinitely adjusted to whatever power I want...from about 100 watts to over 3000watts. (I have an amp/watts/voltage reader that I use to determine power). I will take pictures of this and attach shortly.

Question 4 - have I forgot anything? Anything you guys see wrong with what I've done so far?

I have not cleaned any of the copper yet or my solder joints (I know it looks ruff at the moment in the pictures attached). I will be doing an acid soak and vinegar run before I try and do any type of product run.

Hope you guys approve and enjoy my build/pictures attached.


Cheers!

Drewzy

Ohh and I forgot to mention that I do have a thermometer that I will be drilling a hole into the tee to install.

Gate valve is lead free brass. 1/2 inch unions are copper cast not brass.

I'm sure I'm missing more but that's all for now.


Cheers!

Drewzy

WOW lots of questions and questions within questions here goes.

These are not the right ways of doing things, they are just the way I do them

Question 1

How long should the 2 inch column be?

Answer 1

The height of Reflux columns are generally quoted as being between 12 and 30 times the diameter so for a 2" column it should be between 24" and 60"- that is a wide range and other factors come into play - ceiling height being a prime example and your ability to reach the valve another.

For quality - basically the higher the better. I can pull 95+% with a very short (12") section of column but it tastes like S**T, add another 3 foot section and it is a different story.

Question 1A

I am going to be using copper mesh\ss scrubbers as packing (I don't have enough copper mesh to fill the entire column). What does having a longer column do?

Answer 1A

Why copper mesh - I use stainless scrubbers they are a lot more dense and in my opinion work a lot better, if you are worried about the sulphide that people talk about don't be, you have enough copper in your still already.

Question 1B

What does having a longer column do? More specifically what is the difference between 5 ft column and 10 ft column. As well, what would be the difference between a 5 ft and 4 ft column.


Answer1B

When you stabilise the column, the various fractions stack up in the column, The depth of the fractions are in proportion to the height of the column. So the higher the column the deeper the fraction and when you open the take off the less likely-hood of depleting the fraction you are after and pulling in the one below and smearing the product.

Question 2

How do you guys keep the packing from entering the vapour area (the tee section that leads up to condenser and out to valve) once the tee is soldered onto the column? I was thinking to put a cross of wire at the top of the column but don't know if that will affect anything? Or I could just not solder it and seal it with flour paste or something but would like to stay away from the paste.

Answer 2

I have a removable centre section of column, I just stuff it with scrubbied from both ends - it has never moved.

Question 3 - ............ I guess what I'm trying to ask is will it be OK to leave the sleeve that long and run vm or should the condeser coil be closer to the tee to create a type of choke or for some other reason that I have not considered. ............

I cannot see why it would be a problem, all I can say is "try it and see" if you need to choke the column put another couple of scrubbies between the take off and the condenser.

Question 4

Have I forgot anything? Anything you guys see wrong with what I've done so far?

Answer 4

Can't see anything wrong it's looking good, keep thinking about adding the LM plates it will make a good combination.

Answer 1 - I'm going to go with 4 to 5 feet of packed column...whatever I can get away with in my house. The reason for trying to make it shorter was ceiling height but I have 9ft in my house so I can probably get away with the full 5 ft. I just wanted to see if it was necessary which it seems like 2 ft to 5 ft is necessary but 4 ft to 5 ft isn't so crucial...but if I can handle the extra length why not do it.

Answer 1a - I was worried about sulphides but thanks for letting me know I don't need to, that helps ALOT!

Answer 1b - another reason why I should do what I can to make it as long as possible.

Answer 2 - I will build in a connection that will allow me to Remove the tee and above section if needed. Thanks for that suggestion.

Answer 3 + 4 - I will build the LM plates, you made up my mind for me.


Thanks Brian for all your help, you got me on the right path to finish this build.

I'm hoping to have a cleaning run done shortly on both still heads by tonight.

If anyone else has any input I would love to hear it as well.


Cheers!

Drewzy

Got my as scrubbies.

Hi Drewzy

Where did you get the stainless scrubbers from?

I get mine from the local pound shop.

Anavrin wrote:Hi Drewzy
Where did you get the stainless scrubbers from?

Same as YHB...or Aldi/Lidl. we were in our local Aldi a few week back and I saw the SS type so had a couple of packets. Thought on the way home better to check one before I buy the whole box...put one in the kitchen and I've been using it now for all that time scrubbing pots & pans and it's still as shiny as when it came out the packet..
ps...think they cost a pound for 4 pack.

The other aspect to the column length is product take off speed.

You can hit azeo on short columns but the product speed is very low. You have to increase the reflux ratio to compensate for the less efficient column.

Some folks now who wish to go for a faster product rate, choose to run a short wider column instead of a tall thin one.

They have to run the vapour speed lower than optimum because of the shorter than conventional length - however the increased throughput of the wider column is sufficient to compensate.

It is a bit like comparing a hot hatchback to a big muscle car. Both can go at the same speed, but one engine is going flat out, and the other is just cruising.

Hi Drewzy

Can I ask where you got the copper fitting you've used to connect your column to you boiler lid?

I've been looking for something similar but not come across one in the UK