StillSmart

What is the difference between puke and a surge boil.

The term "puke" or "puking", in this instance, refers to a still boiler throwing-up or vomiting

A surge boil is where super bubbles are formed in the boiler and, with nothing to stop or break them up, these super bubbles expand the volume occupied by the boiling liquid until it is greater than the volume of the boiler and the foamed liquid attempts to exit through the only available opening.

Puking is the result of a surge boil in which foamed wash enters the riser and head under pressure and then spews or 'pukes' out of the condenser contaminating the distillate.

In most cases, other than with the Airstill, this is as bad as it gets.

I've only had one puke with a 50lt keg boiler and pot head. It lasted less than 1 minute and dissipated before I had time to do anything about it. I estimated it had delivered about 500ml of foamed wash into my low wines storage keg which is fed directly from my parrot on stripping runs. (I had forgotten to put Conditioner in the boiler before switching on )

In an Airstill, the puke, caused by the surge, has nowhere to go so it blows the lid off. Simple as!

AM

Righto .. I thought one lead to another.

You're right! A surge boil leads to puking

AM

"Easydrinker » Wed Mar 18, 2015 12:24 am
There are two different things being spoken of here,a surge and a puke"

Had me confused. .. just for a second
I thought they were the same thing. Thanks.

And don't bother paying top dollar (£8.99 - ouch) for the copper "boil enhancers" (actually I believe/understand, they're the ones used in T500 columns that go in first so they sit at the top of the pile of ceramic "saddles").

Just go to your shed and get a bit of 15mm domestic copper pipe scrap (or as a plumber for a few small off cuts), and then with a junior hacksaw, cut it into small rings of 2 or 3 mm thick - you don't even need to de-burr them as any sawing burr's created will help break up any large bubbles even better.

A small handful should be enough (say between 15 and 25 in number - which you should be able to get from about a foot or so of pipe).

Not that I'm tight fisted or anything but...........

Which is best for boil enhancers - ceramic saddles or copper bits?
For ceramic saddles, can I use the ceramic bits that are in fish tank filters which are about the same size.
Phantom - did the 15mm copper pipe cuttings work for you?
Or can I use about 4 to 5 SS scrubbers in the boiler?
I appreciate your answers.

Copper works for me. also helps with sulphites.

I use coins and pipe trimming. Wash and soak overnight in citric acid to clean.

1p and 2p's .....worth checking they are not magnetic.

Thanks mashy, how many do you recommend for a 60cm diameter boiler?

How is it heated?

Sorry this is probably on the wrong thread.
It's a 3kw heater in a water boiler, submerged in the bottom of the wash with a perforated plate just above the element to put some boil enhancers on.

Someone will be along soon who can help out.

well if you look at the amount of rashig rings you get in a "portion" (a SS branded pack full) for a smart/easy/air still, it's about 20 to 30 in a pack.

Not sure if there's any set amount per se, but the more you have in, the less likely you are to have any bubbles large enough to cause any surge lifting of the lid on a smart/easy/air still, so extrapolating that means........ more than just a handful

you can also use pieces of broken glass - I first used a couple of milk bottles (just gently twatting them with a hammer, with the bottles in a bucket), I didn't bother with the top or base pieces just the bits large enough to be easily picked up with gloved hands.

They're easy to sanitise with some sulphite solution etc......

I'd guess at about 1/3 coverage. I use pieces of coarse granite gravel from my walk way out side (yes, yes, I washed them). You just need something with a rough enough surface that the bubble can form easily.

Chuck

For what it is worth,here's a snap of the scrap copper that I currently use.
On a standard dinner plate,in need of a clean after a spirit run.

Robert.