Maxx's Bok

[TDS]

Just so happens I have a tool to wind coils really easily and quickly.

What is this tool please? Picture?

[Maxximus Flavius]

Just so happens I have a tool to wind coils really easily and quickly.

What is this tool please? Picture?

Documented here

[TDS]

Just so happens I have a tool to wind coils really easily and quickly.

What is this tool please? Picture?

Documented here

Maxx you directed me back to the same page I quoted you from.

Don't see the answer there.
Or anywhere else in the thread.
Just looked again.

[Maxximus Flavius]

Just so happens I have a tool to wind coils really easily and quickly.

What is this tool please? Picture?

Documented here

Maxx you directed me back to the same page I quoted you from.

Don't see the answer there.
Or anywhere else in the thread.
Just looked again.

That's strange. When I test the link, it opens a new window with the post I did on August 5 with pictures of the coil winding tool I did. The first photo is this...

[wv_cooker]

He's right Maxx, when I click the link it also brings me to page 5 of this thread.

[Maxximus Flavius]

He's right Maxx, when I click the link it also brings me to page 5 of this thread.

Interesting. This may be a feature/bug in this version of phpBB. I sort my threads in descending order by post time. When I logout and check the posting link, I get a different record number.

Here's the record number when when logged in.

And here's the record number when logged out.

Here's the straight link without wrapping it in BBcode.
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 8#p7099253

Or maybe I'm just misunderstanding the problem. I made the coil producing tool that was used to do my double wind and the single wind for the Liebig which has been mentioned in this thread. I didn't really document thoroughly the build process on that tool. I can if it helps someone.

[Maxximus Flavius]

Still bored, and probably no life. Actually, I just enjoy spending time in the workshop while there's chunks of meat smoking on the BBQ. Especially on a holiday.

I've mentioned before, the difficulty I've had reading the column temperature with this tall build. I found these remote thermometers at Walmart for less than $20/per. I've tested them, and other than single digit display, they're spot on. Now I can lounge at the front of all the action and monitor the stuff I feel is important. The original probe thermometer is going into the condenser outflow line. I LOVE numbers. It makes things highly repeatable.

[rad14701]

Still bored, and probably no life. Actually, I just enjoy spending time in the workshop while there's chunks of meat smoking on the BBQ. Especially on a holiday.

I've mentioned before, the difficulty I've had reading the column temperature with this tall build. I found these remote thermometers at Walmart for less than $20/per. I've tested them, and other than single digit display, they're spot on. Now I can lounge at the front of all the action and monitor the stuff I feel is important. The original probe thermometer is going into the condenser outflow line. I LOVE numbers. It makes things highly repeatable.

I sincerely hope you aren't insinuating that you would leave your still unattended and rely solely on a remote thermometer to run the show... That would be a real problem from a safety standpoint... You haven't seen much of that type of setup around here for good reason...

[Maxximus Flavius]

I sincerely hope you aren't insinuating that you would leave your still unattended and rely solely on a remote thermometer to run the show... That would be a real problem from a safety standpoint... You haven't seen much of that type of setup around here for good reason...

I meant remote as far as removing the local display from the top of the column. The units are wired and mounted on the cooling/product lines at a height where I can easily see them. The furthest I can get from the unit is 3 feet while hanging onto the display.

[Maxximus Flavius]

My wife came home from a shopping trip with an item she knew I'd like. Made out of stainless, I think it's supposed to slide over a soap dispenser.


I thanked her and took it to the workshop. Gotta wash hands out there too you know. I marked of an inside circle with a piece of 2" pipe.


A very careful cut outside the lines resulted in this.



A 1.5" piece of ABS and a rubber mallet drove the thing down the 2"pipe.


A perfect friction fit reflux centering thingie.


My wife gets back the topless decorative soap cover. Still looks nice.

[Maxximus Flavius]

Still patiently waiting for the yeasties to stop eatn' poopn. It's been seven days and the temperature hasn't dropped below 23C. Still getting bubbles every 8 seconds or so.

I tapped a little piece of conduit, the same one I used for the product tube sheath, over the needle valve handle. Unprotected polished copper changes colour very quickly


I split the condenser hot line for a a temperature port. I had a spare thermometer that I need to use


I've always intended to put a temperature port in the boiler. As well I wanted to brace the strap coming off the boiler handle which stiffens the product/service assembly. Rather than drill two holes or weld my nice pot, I used one hole and a stainless steel bulkhead connector to serve two jobs. The strap can always be removed and the bulkhead fitting plugged with a cap when canning preserves.


Because of new potential leakage points, I ran the rig as a water distiller for about an hour. It gave me some grounding in product flow, coolant temperatures etc. It was interesting to watch the boiler temp come with hardly any change in the column temp. When the water went into full boil at 100C, the column temp went from 36C to 100C almost instantly. I can knock down all water vapour at a coolant outflow temperature between 46C and 50C. It's really hard to tweak the supply ball valve. Minuscule turn and wait for the lag in temperature change. I didn't measure the flow, but looks in the range of 2 litres/minute. I used a telescoping inspection mirror to check for steam.


And yes, temperature in the boiler didn't move an iota no matter how much heat I threw at it. Flow changed though. At moderate throttle, I was drawing 6 liters/hour of distillate. The column temperature didn't change either.

I checked the SG on the distillate and was pleased to see that my hydrometer IS calibrated. I was disappointed when I purchased and it tested about .9960 on tap water. Must be the dissolved solids (lots of calcium). I had to fill the graduated cylinder all the way to make it float with the distilled water.

[Maxximus Flavius]

Finally, the "Birdwatchers Sugar Wash" has completed its fermentation. Other than checking once for SG, it has remained unopened, unstirred for 8 days. I pulled a cover off and dropped the hydrometer in. I thought I had lost it to the bottom of the pail. When it bobbed back up, it registered .986. Looks like I've got a little more than 11% potential alcohol. I was prepared to be happy with 9-10%. I'll take it.


I'll do a cleaning stripping run and a reflux run on the one batch of 20 litres tomorrow. Then a real consumption run. In the meantime, I completed the pot stil conversion. I can change between configurations in about ten minutes. The hoses just pop off.


And a closer detail of the business end. I carefully bent the probe thermometer 90 degrees and braced the bend. It sill works.

[Maxximus Flavius]

Rather than a straight hard stripping run, I decided to run the first sacrificial run in pot as you would making flavoured spirits. I thought it would be a good chance to start the learning the craft. All set up in the controller/captains chair. Couldn't run the Liebig as it has a small leak. Somewhat lower strength beverages on the table.


The view from the chair.


The telemetry all hooked up and responding.


Something coming out the tube?


An hours work. Hah, work?


The second 250ml came in at this ABV. Guess what? I'm really happy!

[Maxximus Flavius]

I did the first full run on he reflux column with the first run stripping results. I left the packing until today and was careful to loosen the scrubbies up and tamp them down carefully. I was able to blow through successfully.



I was about 20 minutes into the full reflux mode when a near catastrophe occurred. I had the heat down quite a bit from the stripping runs, but I heard bubbling from the condenser head. I got up on a stool and saw the condenser head was flooded and filling to the top. I killed the heat right away and let things drain. Apparently the liquid flow back down the column was less than the vapours coming up. I started over with the heat so low, I had to pin the thermocouple safety switch to keep the fire lit.I guess the insulated column does have an effect.

I ran 1.25 litres off before I had to go to work. A quick chill to 15C and the proofer wouldn't float at 94%.My graduated cylinder isn't tall enough.


A big lesson for me. Don't leave the thing unattended as so many before have stated. Carefully watch your heat levels. This is a different animal than pot stilling. I'm just glad I was there and the music wasn't too loud so the sound of bubbling could be heard. Certainly was able to taste my shorts in the back of my throat.

I'm going to disassemble tomorrow and do some flow tests on that packed column. I can't believe it was so restrictive. On the plus side, the needle valve worked flawlessly. The condenser knocked all vapours at less than a litre a minute flow. The tempertures on the outflow around 30C.

[rad14701]

Choking and flooding is a major concern, especially with LM reflux columns... You learn to detect that sound really quick...

[Maxximus Flavius]

Choking and flooding is a major concern, especially with LM reflux columns... You learn to detect that sound really quick...

Still scared the crap outa me. There was droplets of hot alcohol being expelled out the vent hole, it was that close. On the plus side, I'm confident that the ENTIRE condenser head is sterile after that. The first thing in the morning is to disassemble and inspect. I'm not completely convinced that there wasn't some foaming out of the boiler going up the column (puking?). I''m going to pour the litre of product I have down the column to gauge the leakdown. And possibly clean any foamy bits out.

[Maxximus Flavius]

I sourced another graduated cylinder that will allow the alcoholmeter to float. Looks like I have the desired result for a neutral spirit.


Now as to the issue of flooding/choking my condenser head during the first reflux run. I disassembled everything and inspected the components. Everything was spotless and had a fresh smell. No puking evidence was detected. I ran the litre and a bit of the first run down the packed column into a bowl. It disappeared as fast as I could pour. I let it drain and then ran water from the top in increasing volumes until it choked. The flow was over 8 litres/minute. However I don't think this has any value, as I was unable to simulate the rising vapour while in operation. I was unable to flood the condenser head with any flow available to me from my water supply. Again, not really a useful test but I kinda deduced that the head certainly is not the issue.

So, my conclusion? Just a classic to much heat and a collapse of the vapour in the column and the upcoming vapour pushing liquid up into the condenser. I almost wish I had a view port into the boiler. But, my ear will have to do for now to hear the rapidity of the boil.

And lastly, a HUGE concern. I captured all the spirit that ran down the packed column during my testing. When I took it out into the sunlight to disperse it on the driveway, I saw thousands of tiny particles reflecting in the sunlight. I can only assume they are stainless steel particles. I rinsed cold water down the column for about and hour after that. Any comments?

[rad14701]

Maxximus Flavius, I have never had issues with my stainless steel structured packing... The stuff I use is very coarse, not fine like most copper... Can't comment on why you would have sparkles...

As for the choking and flooding it's just a matter of learning the limitations of your rig... You can only produce so much vapor and have it return back down through the structured packing before the upcoming vapor pushes it back up rather than allowing it to return to the boiler... The maximum amount of reflux will change as the alcohol is depleted from the wash... Adjusting heat input as the run progresses may be required if the problem persists...

Congratulations on the ~95% ABV...

[lampshade]

Choking and flooding is a major concern, especially with LM reflux columns... You learn to detect that sound really quick...

Yikes, this scares me.

What are the different methods for detecting flooding?

Also, can it be detected with a thermometer or sight glass?

[Maxximus Flavius]

Choking and flooding is a major concern, especially with LM reflux columns... You learn to detect that sound really quick...

Yikes, this scares me.

What are the different methods for detecting flooding?

Also, can it be detected with a thermometer or sight glass?

It concerns me too. I wondering if I can install some kind of float down the middle of the condenser attached to a stainless spoke through the top. Might even be able to be hooked to a microswitch and gawdawful horn.

[Maxximus Flavius]

Maxximus Flavius, I have never had issues with my stainless steel structured packing... The stuff I use is very coarse, not fine like most copper... Can't comment on why you would have sparkles...

As for the choking and flooding it's just a matter of learning the limitations of your rig... You can only produce so much vapor and have it return back down through the structured packing before the upcoming vapor pushes it back up rather than allowing it to return to the boiler... The maximum amount of reflux will change as the alcohol is depleted from the wash... Adjusting heat input as the run progresses may be required if the problem persists...

Congratulations on the ~95% ABV...

Yup, constant learning.

As for the 95%, I initially was reading a lot higher. I thought I broke some natural law. I had no idea how much a role temperature plays. Guess that's why they're supplied with a conversion chart.

[Hound Dog]

Glad I'm not the only one then. I tested my rig before setting it up by running my hose full blast in the top and it drained through the packing and all with no problems. Then when I was letting things reflux I had too much flame on it and had alcohol spurting out the vent . After the adrenaline rush of getting the gas shut off wore off I realized that I learned three things at once. The value of the safety vent so no pressure built up, always pay attention in case something goes wrong (like spewing alcohol out over a propane burner) and what flooding is. I guess it didn't flood during my cleaning because I let it run and not sit and reflux. Once I got it drained back down I fired it back up, got it up to temp and cranked the flame down as low as I could while maintaining the temp. Let it reflux for a little less than an hour. Seemed to work like a charm. Just glad I have been reading this forum so I knew what to do. Just will take more practice .

[Maxximus Flavius]

Hey! What`s in here?


Oh, 80 litres of Birdwatchers Sugar Wash in a temperature controlled fermenting cavity.

[lampshade]

Maxx,

Regarding your environmental fermentation chamber, could you elaborate on:

• What is your insulation?
• How do you control the temperature?

Thanks,
Lamp

[Maxximus Flavius]

Maxx,

Regarding your environmental fermentation chamber, could you elaborate on:

• What is your insulation?
• How do you control the temperature?

Thanks,
Lamp

Hi Lamp, for temperature control, I used a... lamp:) Just a 60W light bulb in a lamp receptacle and a lamp dimmer switch to control the wattage. I have a furnace thermostat that I want to use. I have the 18V transformer and just need a relay to switch the 110V light on and off. But this may be overkill. The lamp and dimmer is working really well. The bubbling is ferocious..

The insulation is a bubble wrap product coated in Mylar. Stiff enough to stand by itself. The name brand is "Reflectix" and available at Home Depot. My compartment has maintained a steady 30C with the outside temperture at 18C.

[Jncrtny]

Not sure if you resolved your Stainless particle issue, first thing I thought was for you to magnet test the scrubbers you have. It is a challenge to decipher posers when finding quality SS scrubbers, most are very poor and I could see this type of flaking with them. I use Copper screen mesh in my reflux, had done a great job and is very sound structurally.

[Maxximus Flavius]

Not sure if you resolved your Stainless particle issue, first thing I thought was for you to magnet test the scrubbers you have. It is a challenge to decipher posers when finding quality SS scrubbers, most are very poor and I could see this type of flaking with them. I use Copper screen mesh in my reflux, had done a great job and is very sound structurally.

Yes, the problem seems to have gone away. It must have been left overs from the manufacturing process. I tested them before I bought them with a magnet. I tested some copper scrubbers as well and they stuck to the magnet. Just a thin coating of copper on steel wool.

[Maxximus Flavius]

My fermenter chamber seems to work well. The wash was kept at 30C and completed in 6 days . Slightly better results than the first, but really just splitting hairs. Finished off at .984 for aprox 11.5% potential.


The water use for cooling the condenser still bothers me. I picked up an "end of season" sale for $20. It's a pond pump rated for 168 watts and 4500 litres/hour with a 1" outlet and no head. With the restrictions of the 3/8" lines that I used, the condenser and the 8.5' head, the poor little thing can only manage 1 litre/minute. Before I add a used car radiator for air cooling, I'm going to run this thing with 90 litres and watch the performance carefully.

[Maxximus Flavius]

I just completed my second reflux run without any issues at all. I started with a 5 litre/35% charge.


I captured 80 litres of rain water and ran the discharge hose across an aluminum lid. The discharge at 45C dropped 10C running over the lid. I started with a temperature of 17C in the barrel and ended up with 37C after 4 hours. The pond pump worked great. I just had to open the inlet valve every hour or so to maintain the discharge temp.


Here's the setup just inside my garage door.


My current setup/learning curve seems to produce about 750mls/hour. Certainly not a fast process. I ran 1.7 litres before the head temp jumped one degree. I shut it down at that point. I had to use the Fahrenheit scale as these cheap thermometers are single digit accuracy. The head sat at 172F for the entire run. I was hoping to see a drop during the first hour of 100% reflux, but never did. I did draw off 100mls of somewhat strong stuff. Here's most of the production run.

[Maxximus Flavius]

This is my last post under this topic. I think it has run it's course as my first. So, as a parting contribution to "My First..." here's a short video on my "second"