Offset flute performance loss
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- Swill Maker
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Offset flute performance loss
I have a 6 plate copper flute I built in 2010/2011 using the only 4" could get at the time "L". This makes my column plus the deflag and product condenser (one piece unit) very heavy. I have had it on a boiler made of 16ga and the column would sway slightly as it ran. My new larger boiler is even thinner, 1-1.3mm and will probably sway more. It would be much better if I could offset my column from the boiler so I can provide for independent support for the column. This would not easily allow for me to use 4" from the boiler though. If I reduce the boiler output to something like 1" to pipe over to my now offset by 12" or so column, what kind of performance loss will I see? Will it just be the loss in the increased surface area to volume ratio (fixed by insulation and a longer heat up time) or will the losses be constant due to restriction from 4 to 1.
Does anyone have a better suggestion to keep the 30+ lbs of copper off the top of my thin ass boiler (stainless drum)?
Does anyone have a better suggestion to keep the 30+ lbs of copper off the top of my thin ass boiler (stainless drum)?
2" Boka on a sanke and a 4" 6 plate flute (learning setups)
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
- Swedish Pride
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Re: Offset flute performance loss
a chain in the ceiling to take the weight off is how I would do it if I had your nice predicament
Don't be a dick
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Re: Offset flute performance loss
Guy ropes ?
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- Swill Maker
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Re: Offset flute performance loss
I sadly cannot get anything from above due to the fact that the roof I have is canvas awning and won't hold. I have thought about it a little more though and I think I can come up with something like this.
I could take a 4"x4" spool and weld it to a support strut that supports from under the barrel (barrel is on rolling dolly) like this.
I could take a 4"x4" spool and weld it to a support strut that supports from under the barrel (barrel is on rolling dolly) like this.
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2" Boka on a sanke and a 4" 6 plate flute (learning setups)
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
- Swedish Pride
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Re: Offset flute performance loss
attach the support to the rib of the barrel, that will stiffen it up a fair bit
Don't be a dick
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- Swill Maker
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Re: Offset flute performance loss
like this? I guess I could socket 3/4 inside of 1" to make it removable and adjustable in at least 1 dimension.
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2" Boka on a sanke and a 4" 6 plate flute (learning setups)
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Re: Offset flute performance loss
Something like this would allow for a table mount and column bottoms drain back solution.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
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- Swill Maker
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- Location: The Great State of Texas
Re: Offset flute performance loss
I like that, and back to my original thought
Will a smaller vapor feed create a continuous problem. I just checked a commercial still maker and it looks like he is running 10-12" columns offset from the boiler by at least a yard. The vapor feed pipe is considerably smaller than the column but there is a single stage inside the boiler. I don't know what that changes exactly though.
Will a smaller vapor feed create a continuous problem. I just checked a commercial still maker and it looks like he is running 10-12" columns offset from the boiler by at least a yard. The vapor feed pipe is considerably smaller than the column but there is a single stage inside the boiler. I don't know what that changes exactly though.
2" Boka on a sanke and a 4" 6 plate flute (learning setups)
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
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- Swill Maker
- Posts: 158
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:09 pm
- Location: The Great State of Texas
Re: Offset flute performance loss
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/w7wAAOSw5 ... -l1600.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
I could just buy this and slap 2 1" triclamps on the side then find a bolt flange to 4" triclamp and I am in business. I wonder what size pipes should I use though
SD doesn't have as much 4" stuff as 6+"
I could just buy this and slap 2 1" triclamps on the side then find a bolt flange to 4" triclamp and I am in business. I wonder what size pipes should I use though
SD doesn't have as much 4" stuff as 6+"
2" Boka on a sanke and a 4" 6 plate flute (learning setups)
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Re: Offset flute performance loss
I used 3/4" feed line on my side mounted columns, first column was 3 plates, second column was around 600mm packed. It ran both columns fine, it actually seemed to run better than straight off the boiler. 1"would be good though.
Here's to alcohol, the cause of, and solution to, all life's problems.
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Re: Offset flute performance loss
if your only stabilizing 30#Ben Stillin wrote:I sadly cannot get anything from above due to the fact that the roof I have is canvas awning and won't hold.
use the support poles from the awning, or build a tripod.
unless your dead set on an offset flute.
be water my friend
Re: Offset flute performance loss
What about an engine hoist to support it.
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- Swill Maker
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- Location: The Great State of Texas
Re: Offset flute performance loss
An engine hoist would work (with some height adjustment) and I actually have one (has Pontiac 400 hanging from it right now) but it takes up as much space as my stilling area. I think I am going to try with the offset design. If it fails I'm out the cost of a couple of CSST lines and a $40 spool. Then I can go back to the engine hoist.
2" Boka on a sanke and a 4" 6 plate flute (learning setups)
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
- Danespirit
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Re: Offset flute performance loss
I think an offset design, would be the best solution for you.
My suggestion would be to use a reducer at the bottom, you could mount with a tri-clamp. You can get a 4" by 2" reducer..as far as I know you can't get one that is 1", but further reducing or a threaded fitting with tri-clamp, should be doable.
That leaves the original flute unmolested.
Here is a link to the build Googe made: http://ww.homedistiller.org/forum/viewt ... 17&t=51194
It was the first thing that came to my mind as I read about your problem.
A simple and elegant solution.
Below is a picture of that threaded fitting that came to my mind, I use some of them for angling my Liebig in an easy way.
You can get them in male or female threaded, I doubt they make them in 4" though...hence the reducer.
From there you'll just have to fabricate some kind of "water lock" like in Googe's build.
My suggestion would be to use a reducer at the bottom, you could mount with a tri-clamp. You can get a 4" by 2" reducer..as far as I know you can't get one that is 1", but further reducing or a threaded fitting with tri-clamp, should be doable.
That leaves the original flute unmolested.
Here is a link to the build Googe made: http://ww.homedistiller.org/forum/viewt ... 17&t=51194
It was the first thing that came to my mind as I read about your problem.
A simple and elegant solution.
Below is a picture of that threaded fitting that came to my mind, I use some of them for angling my Liebig in an easy way.
You can get them in male or female threaded, I doubt they make them in 4" though...hence the reducer.
From there you'll just have to fabricate some kind of "water lock" like in Googe's build.
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- Swill Maker
- Posts: 158
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:09 pm
- Location: The Great State of Texas
Re: Offset flute performance loss
Lets see if this is going to work
This is my side column mount, I welded from the inside
This is my side column mount, I welded from the inside
2" Boka on a sanke and a 4" 6 plate flute (learning setups)
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
- Danespirit
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Re: Offset flute performance loss
Not to criticize your work, but are you sure the welding at the bottom is binding properly? Of course, it could just look like it isn't to me, the way the picture is taken.
You should polish the inside of the tube (where the weld protrudes into it) and clean the welds with some acid prior to a cleaning run.
It will ensure you're getting all the nasty stuff cleaned out and take the oxidized layer from the welding area.
You should polish the inside of the tube (where the weld protrudes into it) and clean the welds with some acid prior to a cleaning run.
It will ensure you're getting all the nasty stuff cleaned out and take the oxidized layer from the welding area.
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- Swill Maker
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- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:09 pm
- Location: The Great State of Texas
Re: Offset flute performance loss
It's well connected, the reflection is causing some wierd effect in the photo. I will hit it with my electro polisher next week, and take some new photos.
2" Boka on a sanke and a 4" 6 plate flute (learning setups)
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Re: Offset flute performance loss
Can test like so
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Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
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- Swill Maker
- Posts: 158
- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:09 pm
- Location: The Great State of Texas
Re: Offset flute performance loss
I will probably just cap it and put 35psi of air into it and looking for leaks in a tub of water
2" Boka on a sanke and a 4" 6 plate flute (learning setups)
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
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Re: Offset flute performance loss
Maybe some soapy water in an atomiser bottle would be easier than submerging it in water
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- Swill Maker
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- Joined: Tue Dec 14, 2010 12:09 pm
- Location: The Great State of Texas
Re: Offset flute performance loss
Ehh, 6 in 1 and a half dozen in the other. I have a water tub I use in my shop. I would have to find a spray bottle. i get home Saturday. I can hit it with the electro polisher and some phosphoric.
2" Boka on a sanke and a 4" 6 plate flute (learning setups)
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle
Current setup
Wall mounted steam stripper
Wall mounted 6 plate "flute"
50 gallon immersion heated mash kettle