The design of a reflux column
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The design of a reflux column
I wish to say that I am very thankful for this forum, and all of you folks. I have enjoyed reading and learning here.
I am now getting close to building a reflux still, and I wonder. If I were to use a 2 inch copper pipe of 90cm length, could I pack it completely with copper mesh or SS mesh, without any plates?
It seems to me, that being a continuous 90cm of mesh would work better, as compared to having all of the plates and air gaps.
it seems to me, that arranging all of the plates would increase the frustration in building.
Clearly I must be wrong, thank you for any insight that anyone can give me.
I am now getting close to building a reflux still, and I wonder. If I were to use a 2 inch copper pipe of 90cm length, could I pack it completely with copper mesh or SS mesh, without any plates?
It seems to me, that being a continuous 90cm of mesh would work better, as compared to having all of the plates and air gaps.
it seems to me, that arranging all of the plates would increase the frustration in building.
Clearly I must be wrong, thank you for any insight that anyone can give me.
Re: The design of a reflux column
If you are looking for flavour, plates will do a better job, if you are looking for neutral then packing does a better job.
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OLD DOG LEARNING NEW TRICKS ......
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Re: The design of a reflux column
But if I understand this by running it through a bit faster, more of the flavours will come through anyway.
Re: The design of a reflux column
Hi FB, You're on the right track. Packing with mesh or scrubbers is easier to construct and very efficient at refluxin in a 2" column.
In 3" or bigger diameter columns the mesh or scrubbers will not utilize the whole diameter...ie the liquids falling down won't spread sideways more than about 2" within the mesh unless there are plates involved as well. Then there are the pot stills and all kinds of hybrids too.
As to running faster or slower, that's determined by trial and error once you have built your still. It will produce high proof, but much learning will follow in getting good tasting and/or clean product out of it, and in making good cuts.
In 3" or bigger diameter columns the mesh or scrubbers will not utilize the whole diameter...ie the liquids falling down won't spread sideways more than about 2" within the mesh unless there are plates involved as well. Then there are the pot stills and all kinds of hybrids too.
As to running faster or slower, that's determined by trial and error once you have built your still. It will produce high proof, but much learning will follow in getting good tasting and/or clean product out of it, and in making good cuts.
cornflakes...stripped and refluxed
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Re: The design of a reflux column
I can visualize that. 2" would allow the mesh to fill the pipe, whereas 3" or large would likely have gaps. That makes sense. Thank you.
I have a woodstove that heats our water, it has 3/4" copper tubing wrapped around the outside of the gasification re-combustion chamber. The chamber gets crazy hot, but the water in the tubing, well, not so much. So from my own experience I do not like the thermal-dynamics of wrapping copper tubing around the outside of something you want to draw heat from.
Now back to reflux columns. I see some where they have wrapped copper tubing around the outside. Would not water-jacketing work better?
What is the best way to water-jacket a 2" pipe with a 3" pipe?
I have a woodstove that heats our water, it has 3/4" copper tubing wrapped around the outside of the gasification re-combustion chamber. The chamber gets crazy hot, but the water in the tubing, well, not so much. So from my own experience I do not like the thermal-dynamics of wrapping copper tubing around the outside of something you want to draw heat from.
Now back to reflux columns. I see some where they have wrapped copper tubing around the outside. Would not water-jacketing work better?
What is the best way to water-jacket a 2" pipe with a 3" pipe?
Re: The design of a reflux column
A water jacket around the outside of a reflux column does not work better because it is forcing all condensate to run down the inner walls of the column rather than dripping down into the center of the columns structured packing... Having the condensate drip down into the center helps eliminate hot or cold spots as well as causing more efficient re-distillation within the structured packing... Some folks have theorized that it makes little difference but popular consensus is that it does...
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Re: The design of a reflux column
As for jacket / external coil, why not an internal coil / coldfinger? alternatively, if for some reason you want a jacket, a centering ring will probably help with the condensate location.
I hope that's not a picture of you. Apparently this hooby isn't all that legal state-side
I hope that's not a picture of you. Apparently this hooby isn't all that legal state-side
Three sheets to the wind!
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Re: The design of a reflux column
An internal coil is more efficient and will do the job better. I wasted time with the jacket idea...it needs a huge flow of cooling water to work.
cornflakes...stripped and refluxed
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Re: The design of a reflux column
Thank you.rad14701 wrote:A water jacket around the outside of a reflux column does not work better because it is forcing all condensate to run down the inner walls of the column rather than dripping down into the center of the columns structured packing... Having the condensate drip down into the center helps eliminate hot or cold spots as well as causing more efficient re-distillation within the structured packing... Some folks have theorized that it makes little difference but popular consensus is that it does...
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Re: The design of a reflux column
I have coiled copper tubing before what a pain.kiwistiller wrote:As for jacket / external coil, why not an internal coil / coldfinger? alternatively, if for some reason you want a jacket, a centering ring will probably help with the condensate location.
I hope that's not a picture of you. Apparently this hooby isn't all that legal state-side
If I have an internal coil in the reflux column, wouldn't a lot of vapour condensate on it and jsut run back down on it?
'Centering rings', inside the column to bring the condensate away from the interior walls of the column?
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Re: The design of a reflux column
Someone may be able to help you with your coil in your area if you ask nicely. Yes, the vapour condenses on the coil andruns back down it then falls off into the centre of the packing rather than running down the walls like a jacket encourages. This is a problem because the whole point of a forced reflux column is to encourage the vapour and condensate to 'mingle' in the packing. The most common method of centering is to use a copper pipe reducer as a 'centering collar', I have two in my column (in normal (coil) operations they work best near the bottom where the lower %age stuff likes to cling to the walls, apparently).Forest Beekeeper wrote:I have coiled copper tubing before what a pain.kiwistiller wrote:As for jacket / external coil, why not an internal coil / coldfinger? alternatively, if for some reason you want a jacket, a centering ring will probably help with the condensate location.
If I have an internal coil in the reflux column, wouldn't a lot of vapour condensate on it and jsut run back down on it?
'Centering rings', inside the column to bring the condensate away from the interior walls of the column?
I'd look into coldfinger designs if I were you... I think snuffy built a pretty snazzy looking one.
Three sheets to the wind!
My stuff
My stuff
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Re: The design of a reflux column
My goodness the journey of life can be fun
I got an 8 Gallon Distiller from Mile Hi and a 2" Diameter Dual Purpose Tower packed with 1 foot of copper and 2 foot of rings.
I also have their herbal essence oil extractor, and I will be playing with making oils.
I got an 8 Gallon Distiller from Mile Hi and a 2" Diameter Dual Purpose Tower packed with 1 foot of copper and 2 foot of rings.
I also have their herbal essence oil extractor, and I will be playing with making oils.