Need feedback on design diagram - my 1st

[InTheGarage]

Hey all,

New to the forums but reading like crazy! I can't believe the wealth of information here and how generous everyone is with their time and experience. I'm hoping to get some feedback from the gurus here on the project I'm planning.

I have a 1/2 keg (15.5 gal.) to use as a boiler with propane for heat. I want to have a 3" modular column with a combination Boka plate LM/VM head that can be removed and attached directly to the head for beer stripping and for use as a straight pot still. I'm wondering if I can run both the VM and LM outputs through the same Liebig condenser (obviously one or the other at a time) depending on whether I'm collecting fore-shots and heads (LM) or hearts (VM). Is this practical? I've seen posts that have discussed using a combination head but haven't seen anyone running them through the same condenser, although there's ALOT of reading to be done on this site so if I've missed them forgive me.

If this IS doable, it would be great if anyone could comment on the following questions:

1. Product output tubing diameter: from what I've read it seems that 1/4" should be fine for the LM output and 3/4" for the VM. Is this correct? Not sure if those diameters were based on a 3" column or if column size even matters when determining this.
2. Liebig condeser size: will a 3/4" product line inside a 1" water jacket be sufficient? I know I'll need to step-up the 1/4" LM to connect this. Based on a 3" diameter 60" packed column, how long should the condenser be?
3. Double wound reflux condenser + cold finger: this seems to make the most sense as I'll be using a recirculating pump and am concerned about restricting the flow. It also seems like it's easier to build than the Jackson Crossflow condenser . If it's wound to fit a 3" diameter section of pipe, what length is recommended? I know there are many factors for this and the main site has calculators to use but it's alittle overwhelming. Just looking to get a ballpark if that's possible . Would 10" be ok?

I've attached some diagrams that I put together to give me a better idea of what I was after. The design is just cobbled together form ideas I've gotten from everyone here, but I'm not sure if I've mangled things in the process. Please have a look and let me know if I'm on the right path. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks to all in advance!

The following diagrams are NOT DRAWN TO SCALE AND ARE MISSING MOST DIMENSIONS/MEASUREMENTS. These will get filled in as I get things fleshed out.

Close-up of head

[Prairiepiss]

One of the good things about a LM/VM combo is the use of the LM to pull the fores and heads. By doing this you are keeping them out of the VM product condenser. So it doesn't contaminate the hearts. So I would say no don't use the VM product condenser for the LM.

[seaguy]

One of the good things about a LM/VM combo is the use of the LM to pull the fores and heads. By doing this you are keeping them out of the VM product condenser. So it doesn't contaminate the hearts. So I would say no don't use the VM product condenser for the LM.

Have to agree with PP here. You will want to judge fores/hds by smell/taste from the LM out so why bother with the extra plumbing to a liebig unless you plan to strip with LM and a parrot. Kiss principle may apply here. I only have Boka experience so can't comment on VM. On your condenser I would use 3/8" tubing since you have the room. The more 1/4" the more flow restriction.

[InTheGarage]

Great point, I hadn't considered that the fores/heads would taint the hearts in the condenser. Scratch that one from the list.
Any feedback on what size the condensers should be for something this size?

[InTheGarage]

One of the good things about a LM/VM combo is the use of the LM to pull the fores and heads. By doing this you are keeping them out of the VM product condenser. So it doesn't contaminate the hearts. So I would say no don't use the VM product condenser for the LM.

Have to agree with PP here. You will want to judge fores/hds by smell/taste from the LM out so why bother with the extra plumbing to a liebig unless you plan to strip with LM and a parrot. Kiss principle may apply here. I only have Boka experience so can't comment on VM. On your condenser I would use 3/8" tubing since you have the room. The more 1/4" the more flow restriction.

Seaguy,
Are you suggesting I use 3/8" on the reflux condenser or the Liebig? Was planning on a double wound cold finger with a 1/2" for the cold finger.
Anyone have suggestions for the length I should build each condenser?

[Coaster]

.....Anyone have suggestions for the length I should build each condenser?.....

@ InTheGarage,

Suggest visiting the ‘Parent Site’ (link located at the top of each Home Distiller Forum page) and visit to the ‘Calcs’ page (link located on top of the Parent Site page) and refer to the ‘Calculation of Condenser Size’ ->

http://homedistiller.org/calcs/cond_calc

Regards,
Coaster

[myles]

If you are going to use the LM I would suggest increasing the product output line to 3/8" instead of 1/4". Also as you are going to need a supply line to feed your reflux coil, just route your LM product line down the centre of the supply hose. Turn the supply hose into a long thin liebig to cool your LM product - it is already condensed, but it should be coming off the reflux coil hot - and thus needs further cooling.

As for the VM section I think this needs a bit more thought. There are many design options for the VM part out there. I prefer the option with a T at the top of the column with the VM in 1 branch and the LM in the other but you can use the inline option also. The reduction in column diameter will increase vapour speed, increase turbulence and aid in the vapour split.

[InTheGarage]

.....Anyone have suggestions for the length I should build each condenser?.....

@ InTheGarage,

Suggest visiting the ‘Parent Site’ (link located at the top of each Home Distiller Forum page) and visit to the ‘Calcs’ page (link located on top of the Parent Site page) and refer to the ‘Calculation of Condenser Size’ ->

http://homedistiller.org/calcs/cond_calc

Regards,
Coaster

Thanks Coaster.

I had looked at that but not really sure I'm understanding how it works. I'm using propane and the calc takes watts as an input. I found an online calculator that converts BTU's to watts, but it introduces the concept of energy/time. My son's an engineering student so maybe have him take a look. Also, is this meant for both Liebig AND reflux condenser designs? I'll keep reading the forum, I'm sure eventually I'll find what I'm looking for. If even just to duplicate what someone else has done for a still based on a column size and heat source as I'll be using.

[InTheGarage]

If you are going to use the LM I would suggest increasing the product output line to 3/8" instead of 1/4". Also as you are going to need a supply line to feed your reflux coil, just route your LM product line down the centre of the supply hose. Turn the supply hose into a long thin liebig to cool your LM product - it is already condensed, but it should be coming off the reflux coil hot - and thus needs further cooling.

As for the VM section I think this needs a bit more thought. There are many design options for the VM part out there. I prefer the option with a T at the top of the column with the VM in 1 branch and the LM in the other but you can use the inline option also. The reduction in column diameter will increase vapour speed, increase turbulence and aid in the vapour split.

Myles, thanks for the ideas. Not sure how you'd accomplish the supply line one though... how exactly is that different than what I've drawn with the the supply line feeding the Liebig?
The VM suggestion is interesting and I'll definitely be reading more to look at those designs you've mentioned. Thanks again for taking the time to help out!

[Coaster]

@ InTheGarage,

You don’t need to be attempting to re-invent the round wheel. There are numerous known proven Liquid Management/Vapor Management Still designs posted here at Home Distiller Forum. Example ->

http://homedistiller.org/forum/download/file.php?id=11460&t=1

Another example is Forum Member’s HookLine ‘Some Still Drawings’ below referenced attachment which provides numerous Liquid Management/Vapor Management Still drawings ->

http://homedistiller.org/forum/download/file.php?id=7969

Regards,
Coaster

[InTheGarage]

Thanks for the links Coaster. The specifics are what I'm after.
I'm really not trying to over think this, but don't want to miss anything either.

The link to the 1st diagram looks like what I'm after. As that is designed for a 2" column, is it safe to just scale everything up by 50% for 3" (except the therm port)?

[InTheGarage]

Thanks for the links Coaster. The specifics are what I'm after.
I'm really not trying to over think this, but don't want to miss anything either.

The link to the 1st diagram looks like what I'm after. As that is designed for a 2" column, is it safe to just scale everything up by 50% for 3" (except the therm port)?

Almost forgot... To run this as a pot still, would I just remove the packing and open the LM valve with the VM valve closed?