Homework for Artooks,
read this great guide
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 63&t=15508 - where kiwistiller mentions valve it is a valve between the offtake and the PC.
The valve is not necessary if you follow the CCVM design where you raise and lower the RC coil to control what goes out to the PC
No shotgun and no valve required if you go CCVM.
A CCVM is your cheapest option for modification. If you don't like operating the CCVM then you can look at purchasing valves and shotguns
The following is my report of my first successful run with my CCVM where I describe hiw I lowered and raised the RC to control the offtake. I used the power controller ti change the rate of boiling so that there was a constant level of liqid visible in the sight glass. I did not adjust the cooling from the initial setting... here goes
"Re: Adult's Meccano Set
Postby kimbodious » Tue Mar 07, 2017 1:18 pm
Hot weather as I recall, in the mid 30s C; water temperature in the high 20s C
Brought the power up slowly on a spirit run with kale recipe low wines.
Took a guess for position of RC coil.
Sight glass fogged about 105 minutes from power on.
A few drips appeared in the collection vessel; lowered RC coil about 1 cm and drips stopped.
Left the column in that state for nearly an hour until the thermometer at the takeoff registered a slight drop in temperature. (fluid level dropped below sight glass too)
Raised the RC coil about 4 cm until there were two drips per second going in to the collection jar.
Collected 150 mls of "foreshots" before lowering the RC back to the position for total reflux
Left the column in total reflux for 15 minutes
Raised the RC coil (about 10 cm) to the point where there was a faltering stream going in to the collection jar.
Collected 300 mls in 5 labelled jars (heads)
From jar 6 started collecting in roughly 600 ml amounts per labelled jar
Very slight adjustments to power controller to maintain a constant level of fluid partway up the sight glass.
Did not adjust the water supply for cooling from the initial quarter turn of the handle
Measurement of ABV mid-run gave a temperature corrected 95
The thermometer fluctuated +/- 0.6C during the run, probably just the odd breeze
Collected 16 jars of roughly 600 mls each until I noticed the fluid level suddenly dropped below the level of the sight glass
Started collecting in 300 ml amounts but the second jar smelled very strongly of tails
Turned off the power at that point
Two days later I checked my cuts and made the blend
I discarded the first 4 x 300 ml jars as heads and added the fifth to the hearts blend
A total of 9 litres of hearts
The final 2 x 300 ml jars discarded as they were clearly tails
The final analysis showed a temperature corrected 94% ABV for the hearts
I am very pleased with how easy this system is to operate compared to the previous VM and CM stills!"
PS. The thermometer varied so little during this run that it was not important for managing this run. I concentrated instead on rate and quality of the output and maintaining a constant level of fluid visible at the top of the packing (in the sightglass)