This is my first post.. I've been researching the hobby for the past few months, and it might be time to post
I remember reading the main disadvantage of LM was 'just when you need reflux the most, you get a decrease in reflux ratio'
The advantage of VM in contrast, 'constant reflux ratio througout the run'.
If I understand correctly, this is because of the needle valve: When the hearts phase is finished, there is a decrease in liquid volume . There is less liquid in the head, but you take out the same amount of liquid out for product. That way, same ml product and less ml total condensate means less reflux, so less reflux ratio.
What I was thinking, why not use this reduction in reflux ratio, but in reverse?
If we use the needle valve to control what goes back to the column, and take the rest as product (just the reverse of what we do in a conventional LM head), wouldn't we get an increase in reflux ratio when the hearts are finished?
here's a diagram to help visualize, it's similar to a parrot's beak (I took the design for it from a plan on the yahoo group), and the overflow goes out as product.
I would like to hear what you think about it.. do you reckon it would work?
I hope the post wasn't too long
Cheers
Yonch (Jonathan)