Lyne Arm With Several Smaller Tubes?

[Porkchop]

I am spending time researching my next still build and came across a thread on here where a member built a column still with 4 1" tubes instead of 1 large pipe. I couldn't find any info on a pot still with a lyne arm built similar. Maybe 4 or 5 individual 1/2" tubes instead of 1 single 2" Kinda like a shotgun condenser. I don't know if there would be any advantage or disadvantage to this but I do have a ton of 1/2" and 3/8" tubing laying around and kinda like to use what I have and not spend more $ than i need to. I was just wandering if anyone had any experience with a setup like this.

[mash rookie]

I think it is a wonderful idea. There is no reason I can think of that you can not use a bundle of smaller tubes as long as the total interior area is sufficient enough to handle the volume of vapor flow. It could be a interesting and artistic design. Go for it!

MR

[Porkchop]

Thanks mash rookie. I stumbled up on the thread of your beer mug column build. All I can say is wow. I bet no one else has one like it. Hats off for thinking outside the box!

[mash rookie]

Check out my Sexy Girl. viewtopic.php?f=50&t=22305

MR

[Prairiepiss]

I'm with MR. No reason it can't work. I have some thoughts to consider though.

My thinking is with the multiple smaller tubes you will have a greater cooling effect from the ambient air. This makes me think of these two things.

1 passive reflux.
If the multi tube lyne ARM is angled 90 degrees or greater (up away from) from the column. The multiple smaller tubes will cause more passive reflux to return to the column. I'm not sure how much more. And its not a bad thing. Just needs to be thought about when laying it out.

2 pooling.
If the lyne arm is angled 90 degrees or less (down away from) from the column. Depending on what you use as a collector for the multiple tubes. This collector if not built proper could become a pooling point. Which could lead to smearing of the cuts. Just another thing to think about.

And we like pics. Don't forget the pics.

[Porkchop]

Ok this is what I like, opinions and ideas! By the way this lyne arm will be going on a 15.5 gal keg. I tried to upload some pics of my small still last night but they were too big even from my cell phone so I need to figure out the pics thing. Thanks, and keep that input coming! And Mash Rookie your sexy girl looks too good to use. It should be in a distillation museum or somewhere.

[mash rookie]

I'm with MR. No reason it can't work. I have some thoughts to consider though.

My thinking is with the multiple smaller tubes you will have a greater cooling effect from the ambient air. This makes me think of these two things.

1 passive reflux.
If the multi tube lyne ARM is angled 90 degrees or greater (up away from) from the column. The multiple smaller tubes will cause more passive reflux to return to the column. I'm not sure how much more. And its not a bad thing. Just needs to be thought about when laying it out.

I agree PP. If it is well thought out he might end up with what could be a superior pot still head that produces a higher ABV at pot speeds.
(and cool looking)

[emptyglass]

Going to be tricky if you plan to use a liebig condensor.
But, if you ran all the tubes to worm and bucket condensor, you could then collect condensed liquid, rather than tring to drive the vapor from all those tubes into one place.

Each tube would only have part of the condensing job to do.

Hypotheticly, if you had 16 x 1/2" tubes, you would have the equivalent of a 2" column. Each tube would only have to be 1/16th the length of a normal worm for the same 2" column.