The still you have, does work. Dont get me wrong. However, several things about it are far from ideal. In as a side note, it IS better than other designs at certain tasks.
cons.
- cost, there are several fittings that are expensive, which must be obtained in 2" size (t's, caps, etc)
- Off-balance. This is only a problem if the boiler is on the smallish side. Several still designs are not center balanced.
- The plans call for 2 expensive needle valves. This can be worked around (I did so with my still).
- The reflux return is not as high as it 'could' be, thus you lose out on some potential column height.
- The build is more difficult than some, due to the many solder connections, in close proximity to each other, and all of those close solder joints being large diameter pipe and fittings.
- An LM (liquid management) still requires frequent adjustments during the run. There are other types, which are easier to run (such as the VM). They are more of a 'set it and forget it' or at least 'set it and leave it alone' model.
However, since you already have built yours, and it is working well for you, then many of the cons are somewhat moot points.
One pretty big pro for this still design, is that it can be used very well, as a stripping still, i.e. to fast run, like a pot still to strip out the ethanol from a wash, to be re-run a second time. This is because of the design, where the condensation happens totally away from the column. Thus, you can run this still with almost no reflux at all, if the takeoff valve is large enough, AND if you insulate the column well. Many other column still designs, put the condenser right above the column 'inline', and then often have baffling that catches the reflux to take some off, and to return the rest. In these designs, even if you remove all of the reflux dripping off of the condenser, these baffles will cool below the condensation temp of the rising vapors. The vapor hitting the bottom of these baffles will condense (some of it will), and fall back into the column, thus you can not run these still types with '0%' reflux, like you can the offset head.
There are MANY still designs on this site. There are VM still, Flute stills (which are commercial bubble plate stills redesigned down to hobby size), there is the inline boka 'mini' which can be scaled up to 2" and works well, etc. Each of these still types, has their strengths (and weaknesses). However, since you have yours already done, then the money has been spent. Some of the biggest cons to your still is the initial cost, and difficulty of build. But you are already past that, so I would say to just keep using your still head. When you learn to drive it well, it will make very clean neutral. Mine does.
Pat yourself on the back, for not making that CM (Cooling Management) version of the still, especially the one with cooling tubes running through the lower and middle of the column). MANY folks show up here after they have made one. The still you have, while it is not optimal, is head and shoulders above THAT design.
Hillbilly Rebel: Unless you are one of the people on this site who are legalling distilling, keep a low profile, don't tell, don't sell.
I did modify the condenser, making it much larger(300%), as I didn't think the one suggeted was big enough.
Found this site right about the time i was choking down my 1st batch of turbo.. Made a couple of mods (double wound coil, extra height, and some practice) & got it running pretty good. Hope to have a VM put together soon though. Just figured i'd own up to it
