Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

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andrew_987789
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Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by andrew_987789 »

Hi all,

I currently have the T500 boiler and copper reflux column.

Also have the copper dome pot still, and sight glass.

I'm wondering / thinking if there is any benefit to running the reflux column on top of the copper dome or sight glass; primarily from an 'extra copper' point of view.

1) Any effect by raising the height of the column?

2) Will the copper of the dome, or the copper scrubbers in the sight glass, (using one or the other, not both) add an appreciable difference to the output quality of the reflux still on top?

Or are the pot still elements just so inefficient in comparison to the reflux column that they aren't really adding anything.

Cheers
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Saltbush Bill
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by Saltbush Bill »

andrew_987789 wrote: Fri May 20, 2022 10:40 pm I'm wondering / thinking if there is any benefit to running the reflux column on top of the copper dome or sight glass; primarily from an 'extra copper' point of view.
Probably not a lot if any at all. Some copper in the boiler could help some.
andrew_987789 wrote: Fri May 20, 2022 10:40 pm 1) Any effect by raising the height of the column?
Regardless of diameter, a reflux column needs to be at least 20x the diameter of the column in length to do its job properly .......From memory I dont think T500 columns meet that standard.
andrew_987789 wrote: Fri May 20, 2022 10:40 pm the copper scrubbers in the sight glass, (using one or the other, not both) add an appreciable difference to the output quality of the reflux still
My guess is that the sight glass and scrubbers will .......you are adding length to the column by doing that, how much it will help I cant say. Modifying the column to meet the 20X rule will help much more.
The pot still dome wont make any measurable difference imo.
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Yummyrum
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by Yummyrum »

Id agree with all that Salty
andrew_987789
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by andrew_987789 »

Saltbush Bill wrote: Fri May 20, 2022 11:21 pm Regardless of diameter, a reflux column needs to be at least 20x the diameter of the column in length to do its job properly .......From memory I dont think T500 columns meet that standard.
Not even close, it's 12:1.

Done deliberately, I'm sure, as the column would have to be 120cm tall to hit 20:1 That'd be prohibitively tall for selling a 'home' still, I would think.

With the sight glass in the mix though it will take me up to around 16.5:1

Significantly more than the stock column.

My sight glass is due to arrive in a few days. Will do a run as soon as it arrives and see what kind of difference it gets :)
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Saltbush Bill
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by Saltbush Bill »

andrew_987789 wrote: Sat May 21, 2022 12:42 am Not even close, it's 12:1.
That is why T500's dont pull better than about 92% ABV temp corrected........lots of newbs think they will, cause they don't temp correct the alcometer readings.
There is more than one Aussie Supplier who can/ will supply fittings that will let you extend the column to a better length to get a better result...its just a matter of looking around.
andrew_987789
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by andrew_987789 »

Mmm. Sounds like a column extension is next on the to-do list then.

I found a few links for extension bits on here but they'd expired, unfortunately. Need to look further.

In any case, I'll try with the sight glass first and see how that goes.

I have enough spare saddles already that I could pack the glass with saddles rather than the included scrubbers too.

I should think/hope going from 12:1 to 16:1 should have a fairly appreciable difference, being 30% taller.

I will have to see how tall I can go with the extension while still fitting under the kitchen ceiling :ebiggrin:
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Saltbush Bill
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by Saltbush Bill »

Height is always an issue for those who chase true neutral and or Azeo......more than one person has knocked a hole in the ceiling of a house or garage/shop/shed.
Those same folk where not fu*%ing around ....they found out what worked and what didn't .
There are threads here on the forum along with photos that will prove that for those who care to search.
andrew_987789
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by andrew_987789 »

Just for kicks, I'm giving the trio a run for the sake of experiment as we speak.

Will see what happens :ebiggrin:

20220528_143031.jpg
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still_stirrin
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by still_stirrin »

Uh oh … I see a plastic hose from the product condenser outlet to your collection cup. Not recommended, especially from a stillhead that produces high purity alcohol. Tell us, “this is an old photo before you replaced that hose with a copper tube”.
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andrew_987789
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by andrew_987789 »

Not yet.

You say plastic not recommended from the outlet, because...

Issues with the alcohol picking up chemicals from the plastic?

Or?
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Saltbush Bill
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by Saltbush Bill »

Safety first and foremost! These forums take a very strong negative view on the use of plastics and synthetics in distilling. It simply is not safe to use these during any part of the distillation process with the exception of HPDE buckets which are acceptable for fermentation.

Please read all of the forum rules app.php/rules please pay particular attention to Rule i
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Yummyrum
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by Yummyrum »

andrew_987789 wrote: Sat May 28, 2022 2:58 pm Not yet.

You say plastic not recommended from the outlet, because...

Issues with the alcohol picking up chemicals from the plastic?

Or?
Yes . It’s not up for debate either .
It’s in our Rules.
Safety first and foremost! These forums take a very strong negative view on the use of plastics and synthetics in distilling. It simply is not safe to use these during any part of the distillation process with the exception of HPDE buckets which are acceptable for fermentation. There simply are too many types of plastics and a lack of reliable information for us to reliably advocate their use anywhere in the distillation apparatus. Also, from past posting history, this topic seems to quickly boil down into an almost religious flame war. Thus we simply will not put up with it, and posts about any form of plastic use will be edited, deleted or locked. #
Get rid of the plastic hose if not for your sake , for the sake of all that may partake in your drink

Edit :Posted same time as Saltbush
andrew_987789
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by andrew_987789 »

Appreciate the link. Cheers.
jpsobral
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by jpsobral »

andrew_987789 wrote: Fri May 27, 2022 8:44 pm Just for kicks, I'm giving the trio a run for the sake of experiment as we speak.

Will see what happens :ebiggrin:


20220528_143031.jpg
Hi Andrew!

Can you tell me where you bought the fittings to extend the t500 reflux?

Thanks!
Dee Envy
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Re: Any benefit running reflux column on top of pot still dome or sight glass?

Post by Dee Envy »

Oak Stills have many products.
I have just received some extensions to lengthen my column to 48" from them.
Very well priced for a limited budget.
Quality seems OK as well.
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