stainless steel question

[narcolepticpug]

i work in a sheetmetal shop as a welder. i have can get scaps stainless to make a pot.
But how do a attach my copper reflux still to a stainless steel pot??
ok is 304 stainless ok to use?

[Hawke]

Most of the 300 series is ok.
You can get weld on flanges for sanitary clamps (tri-clamp). You could also weld a 2" half couple to the lid and use a copper thread adaptor on the column.
I would recomend the flange ferrels and clamp, myself.

[HookLine]

304 is definitely okay. 304 & 316 would be the stainless of choice.

[narcolepticpug]

yea. 316 is the best. but all we have in the way of stainless is 304 at work

[HookLine]

IIRC, stainless beer kegs are 304 (the centre barrel part, not the hoops at the top and bottom).

[guillermo]

For my pot still, I brazed a 3" copper coupling onto the SS lid of my boiler with Safety-silv 56. The 3" copper pipe/column fits snugly inside and doesn't leak. Before stilling, I apply a small amount of vaseline so they won't freeze up.

[augrat]

Although it seems to be taboo I would prefer a stainless 75-115 liters pot still, a clear column would be nice as well. Any suggestions on a designer/builder or even ready made company?

Any advice for a project such as this?

[Igor_From_Jdessa]

... how do a attach my copper reflux still to a stainless steel pot??

Copper and stainless steel badly work together.


click for enlarge/

IMHO You need stainless steel reflux for stainless steel pot.

[CletusDwight]

i work in a sheetmetal shop as a welder

Being able to weld helps a lot.
I (tig) welded up my own pot from a length of 10" tube and a couple of plates. I welded a short length of 2.5" tube to the top plate and a ss flange made from 1.6mm plate. (thin, yes, but adequate, cheap and easy to cut from scrap - no need to buy)
Then I welded a couple more flanges to another length of 2.5" tube to make a column. I use a cork gasket to bolt the column on the pot.

The top of the column goes to copper. Several ways to do it - IMHO best is to braze a matching flange in copper and bolt it on with a gasket. Another way is to make a sliding fit of copper tube inside the steel and seal the join with dough. (braze/solder a ring on to stop the tube sliding all the way in.) It's fairly easy to make your own copper tube any size you want and solder/braze the seam.

My still was originally designed as a reflux with scrubbers in the column but I took them out later and now run it as a potstill.

PS. You NEED copper in the vapour path somewhere to help get rid of sulphur compounds.