The setups I want to test are: normal vm configuration; capped vm minus reflux condenser; VM with restrictions under the reflux coil.
Method:
The still is charged with 40%abv mix of sugar wash low wines, feints, and whatever I could scrape up or needed to get rid of (normal sort of neutral run for me
). The column is currently in equilibrium in a normal vm configuration, and has been for 70 minutes now. I'm going to bleed foreshots and heads from the charge before running the experiment, because I want to drink the stuff after I'm done, and don't want to have to worry about differnt levels of heads separtion or anything I don't understand that might throw this off.After I'm pulling hearts, I will put the column back into equilibrium, set the gas to a known and repeatable level (one ring on full of a three ring gas burner), and open the valve fully. I'll set aside the initial pour that was back up against the valve, and the next 100mls after that. then I'll time a litre. I'll shut down, the set aside 100mls and the litre will be added back to the boiler, then the same process will be done for the vm with a restriction under the coil.
The capped vm will be a bit more tricky. From shut down after the vm with restrictions, I'll remove the coil and cap the top, sealed with dough. I'll then fire up the boiler again, and give the column say 250mls of production to get up to speed, and then measure the litre.
And that should help me understand what the heck goes on in these voodoo management machines.
Will post info as I get it.