Bokakob 2" mini-still column

Vapor, Liquid or Cooling Management. Flutes, plates, etc.

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Pikluk
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Post by Pikluk »

the closer the thermometer is from the take off point the more accurate it will be by putting it under the plate nothing drip on it that could affect the reading.

that plan give a nice visual
ELDesign_v11.jpg
from this thread (great read).
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3063
Last edited by Pikluk on Tue May 06, 2008 6:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit :)
new_moonshiner
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Post by new_moonshiner »

I put mine just a tad less than 1/3 down on the column as Bokakob suggested to me ... Works wonderful .. but hey if its working for you then great .. theres more than one way to skin a cat ..Great craftsmenship by the way ..
tracker0945
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Post by tracker0945 »

I have 2 thermometer positions on my column, one in the packing, one under the plates. The one under the plates is less effected when the overflow return rate is changed. The one in the packing seems to pick up on the cooled overflow temperature.
Just a minor point though.
Cheers.
2"x38" Bok mini and
Pot still with Leibig on 45 litre boiler
new_moonshiner
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Post by new_moonshiner »

Good point indeed tracker ...actually I have one for each as well but I only use the lower one .thats another reason i run product temp very warm on the off take .. so my returning does not start to cool off the head of my packing .. but thats another topic..
tracker0945
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Post by tracker0945 »

Me too (with the hot condenser) but my return is still much cooler than the vapour moving up.
Easily measurable but not a life threatening situation :lol: and it soon stabilizes.
2"x38" Bok mini and
Pot still with Leibig on 45 litre boiler
Pikluk
Swill Maker
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Post by Pikluk »

learning to drive, im almost there :)
almost.jpg
at 300ml/h from ~50% low wine with only 32" of packing in the 52" column.
The more you read the more you learn.
The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit :)
HookLine
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Post by HookLine »

Show off! :wink: :lol: :lol:

Nice photo.
Be safe.
Be discreet.
And have fun.
Pikluk
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Post by Pikluk »

iv been working/reading for months to see that kind of reading,
of course im gonna show off :).

cant wait to see it sink a bar lower too:).
The more you read the more you learn.
The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit :)
Pikluk
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Post by Pikluk »

what i meant to say is i am merely showing what this still can do...:).
The more you read the more you learn.
The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit :)
HookLine
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Post by HookLine »

What was the temp adjusted reading?
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Pikluk
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Post by Pikluk »

temp was pretty close to 20 so that should be it, its a cheap meter tho(6$).
The more you read the more you learn.
The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit :)
Blind Eye
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Post by Blind Eye »

Hey I am curious what the total length of the condenser section is and the stack length?
Pikluk
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Post by Pikluk »

the head is 13 1/2" total 63 1/2" i could have made the head a bit shorter.
the coil take 7", from the top to the bottom plate 10".
if you are building a still like this start with the coil so you know how much space you need for it.
The more you read the more you learn.
The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit :)
pintoshine
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Post by pintoshine »

you did say that the tubing was 1/4 " OD? I am trying to draw it up in adac and I needed something as a scale reference. I believe I have enough photos to capture it but if I don't I'll let you know.
Pikluk
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Post by Pikluk »

yes the small tubing is 1/4" o.d. all other measurement i gave is i.d. (regular pluming pipes).

if you or anyone else want to make a tutorial, i know i dont explain things very well, you can use my pictures.
i can take some more if needed.

or even better build one under that camera :).
The more you read the more you learn.
The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit :)
Blind Eye
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Post by Blind Eye »

Thanks for the measurements I was guessing 11-12" wasnt to far off. I am starting tonight Ive got 5' of 2" copper @ $8.25 ft. not bad at all most places wanted $9.75-11.50 ft.. I also thought it through and I bought an extra set of 2" male & female I was thinking of splitting it @ 2' and make another simple pot still head so I would have all the fixings to shorten it up for some strippers or mount the power tower for the clean stuff.

Did you have any last ideas or changes you wished you done differently?

This site and its members are great thanks for all the help this is something I have wanted to do for over 30 years and its getting real close I can almost smell it !! pictures soon when I figure out how to do it? read read read I know haha!!
Pikluk
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Post by Pikluk »

i didnt try the small 8" column i made, but i think 2' might be a bit long.
ideally i would have made it about 16" but 8" was all that had left.

the only thing i could have done better if for the bottom plate i didn't cut deep enough for the notch, looked alright but because of the thickness of the metal once bended its barely under the level of the plate, so with heavy reflux im not sure everything drip in the middle.
The more you read the more you learn.
The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit :)
Blind Eye
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Post by Blind Eye »

I was hoping without packing that the 2' might make it, I also have access to another 5' of 2" copper so I'm still(get it) contemplating that one!

I'm ready to cut my plates in today would you recommend I cut the slot back another 1/8-1/16" further than instructed to adjust for the thickness?

Is that template the best or what, thats the cats arse on that 1!!!!!
Pikluk
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Post by Pikluk »

1/16" should be enough.
or if you have thiner metal from smaller pipe could be easier for that and to fit them in the slots.
The more you read the more you learn.
The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit :)
Blind Eye
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Post by Blind Eye »

Used 3/4" copper slit & flattened,I think Im in the ballpark I still went a touch further. Using the 3/4" flat fit perfect in the single dremal tool cut I made hardly any sanding yet seemed snug.

Image

Image
Pikluk
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Post by Pikluk »

nice of you to had a few picture Blind Eye.
i originally made that post to give back a little, to help people who want to built a really good reflux column, and your helping too :).

and on another note i found out why i only got about 94% at 300ml/h with a 1100w hotplate set at 2/3 up.my hotplate was damaged awhile ago removed the pot and forgot it on for a few min(till a smelled burning plastic) no smoke or flame tho tried to turn the knob to off and it felt weird, so i unplugged it.
after cool down everything looked fine knob felt alright too.
then i found this http://homedistiller.org/calcs/reflux_calc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
it take me about 90min to get to boil 11l so about 600w...
i was assuming that 2/3 up was about 700-800w and trying to adjust the rest to it.

today after looking at that reflux calculator i putted it on high (no cycling)
about 600w collecting at 350ml/h(can't go higher without more wattage) i finally got ... temp was 21c
finally.jpg
one of the mistake i made, why i didn't figured this on quicker is it takes a long time for the equilibrium to settle in the column when you make a adjustment will take about 30min or more to settle.

edit fixed typo
The more you read the more you learn.
The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit :)
Blind Eye
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Post by Blind Eye »

What a beautiful sight, that is outstanding !!! you should be proud looks like all the research is paying off.. That sucks about the plate what are you considering as a heat source external (propane) or internal elements? I know a lot of people dont like the idea of open flame but I found a Dual fuel 533 by coleman, it will run on unleaded or stove fuel. says it will run up to 6 hrs on medium,@ 10,500 btu im wondering how that would work, plus its only like 7" tall also, just thinking???? got the old turkey fryer base now a little tall with the 15gal keg vs. the 7 3/4gal.
jdpete
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Post by jdpete »

Pikluk

I noticed in your first post pictures you cut the bottom drip plate to a point, why?

Jeff
Pikluk
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Post by Pikluk »

its a pin that you bend down to guide the reflux in the middle of the packing.
why a point looks pretty :)
dacountryguy
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Post by dacountryguy »

Just want to thank ya for putting up those pics there Pikluk, Was looking into getting into distilling and stumbled upon this thread. Gave me a good idea on what the still should look like and how easy it is to make. Got to test it out this weekend and worked like a charm for me. (Even if my condensor is not near as perrty as yours :D ) Once again thanks and keep on stilling
Blind Eye
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Post by Blind Eye »

Pikluk, good Idea with the point probably gave a little more to grab when you bend it compared to a straight cut like mine.
Hawke
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Re: Bokakob 2" mini-still column

Post by Hawke »

Actually, with the pointed tab, it will concentrate the reflux better. (The liquid will try to hold on 'til it gets to the point)
It is the very things that we think we know, that keep us from learning what we should know.
Valved Reflux, 3"x54" Bok 'mini', 2 liebig based pots and the 'Blockhead' 60K btu propane heat
Pikluk
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Re: Bokakob 2" mini-still column

Post by Pikluk »

on my last run (using low wine 40-60%) i tried to go over 500ml/hour and i got that suction effect.
using 3/8" tubing and valve for the output could be a good idea or designed in a way you can put a vent hole has pinto suggested (i think it was pinto).the way i curved the pipes cant do what he did "need to put my thinking cap".
will do more testing and report back.
The more you read the more you learn.
The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit :)
HookLine
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Re: Bokakob 2" mini-still column

Post by HookLine »

Don't get that problem with VM. :P




Sorry, couldn't resist. :twisted:


I'll go away now. :mrgreen:
Be safe.
Be discreet.
And have fun.
Pikluk
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Joined: Sun Nov 04, 2007 8:22 pm

Re: Bokakob 2" mini-still column

Post by Pikluk »

waving away the guy with the expensive column :P.
its the valve that kill the budget :(.
The more you read the more you learn.
The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit :)
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