going from external CM pot/hybrid to thru tube CM for whisky

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Chauncey
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going from external CM pot/hybrid to thru tube CM for whisky

Post by Chauncey »

im assuming the difference is far more water control will be required to keep the level of reflux as low as i would like, usually pull off around 160 to 165. the highest on my 1.5" external CM i pull is 90 percent using extremely cold input. I have to assume the internal cross tubes in a 2" column are going to be more efficient. was going to do 2x over with 1/2" tubing. the external coil on the smaller column is 1/4" soldered on to the column thru a 10" area with about 1" between each wind. I dont really need a precise control for it.

Im guessing a gate/ball/needle with the 3 cross tubes will be required.

what say you?

i like single runs this way, it really negates the thump keg need.
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Chauncey
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Re: going from external CM pot/hybrid to thru tube CM for wh

Post by Chauncey »

sorry for using proof then abv but ya get it eh
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Re: going from external CM pot/hybrid to thru tube CM for wh

Post by bluefish_dist »

How many plates are you going to use? For my rig it's a balance of # of plates, power, wash abv, and reflux to get the output proof I want. Really depends on what you want for abv and flavor. I would try a run and see what you get, then make any adjustments.
I seem to run very different than other as I have good success with 2 plates for whiskey. I see few people running that way, most are 3-4 plates. Some of my first batches were actually really short packed sections. 6-8" of packed. Worked pretty well.
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Re: going from external CM pot/hybrid to thru tube CM for wh

Post by Yummyrum »

Don’t think there are any plates Blue-fish .
OP is talking about upgrading from a 1 1/2” pot still riser with a coil wrapped around the outside at the top to a 2” pot still riser with a few cross tubes at the top to induce some reflux .

Allmyexes , crosstubes will work but they aren’t all that effective at refluxing . You may need a few more that 2 . I think your old 10" of wrapped and soldered coil will be a better option . My way of thinking is that vapour will be flowing fairly fast and 10" cool tube will be much more efficient than a couple of cross tubes . If you are a bit more adventurous you could look at an internal coil a few ....say 6-8 inches long or even a shot gun deflag design .
Then you could pack the riser and use it to make neutrals if you were so inclined.

Its all about power input balancing reflux ability . A couple of cross tubes will work with low power but not with high power .
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Re: going from external CM pot/hybrid to thru tube CM for wh

Post by Chauncey »

Cool thanks for the info. Guess that means I'll purchase some 3/8 soft coil and wrap it on the 2inch, was trying to be frugal by using some half inch tubing I have.

The older one is on a 1600w boiler that's 6 gals. The newer 2" is on a propane powered keg
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Re: going from external CM pot/hybrid to thru tube CM for wh

Post by Chauncey »

Oh and an internal coil would be a real bitch without cutting a pot riser I already assembled as it goes from 2" to 1/2" at the top then to a 1/2" tee, one side to condenser to thermo. I do have more 2 inch pipe and stuff but I'm trying to make this a dual purpose tower. I.e. some reflux and straight pot. And save my 2" for a shotgun when I build a 3" or 4" flute.
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Re: going from external CM pot/hybrid to thru tube CM for wh

Post by shadylane »

Allmyexsliveinhell wrote:I'll purchase some 3/8 soft coil and wrap it on the 2inch, was trying to be frugal by using some half inch tubing I have.
Are you going to solder the external coil to 2" copper tube
It will help with the heat transfer. But all the reflux will still be running down the sides of the column
A cold finger inside the 2" would be a good option
And Ya get to use some of your 1/2" :lol:
Another option is to use the external coil and a cold finger :wink:
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Re: going from external CM pot/hybrid to thru tube CM for wh

Post by shadylane »

Yummyrum wrote:Don’t think there are any plates .
OP is talking about upgrading from a 1 1/2” pot still riser with a coil wrapped around the outside at the top to a 2” pot still riser with a few cross tubes at the top to induce some reflux
Is the reflux for a "pot still riser" or a packed column :?:
I'm confused as normal :lol:
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Re: going from external CM pot/hybrid to thru tube CM for wh

Post by Yummyrum »

I tok it frm the first post that its just an unpacked pot still riser Shady
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Re: going from external CM pot/hybrid to thru tube CM for wh

Post by Chauncey »

It's packed but not as much as I would if making a neutral
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Re: going from external CM pot/hybrid to thru tube CM for wh

Post by Chauncey »

welp i managed to get a nice coil inside the 2" riser. pics to come
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