FLUTE TALK

[webe]

You can put your drill into a vice to use as a makeshift lath,it works great .
On a side note,is this flute kinda like inline thumpers ? I'm a newbe so ....

[LWTCS]

On a side note,is this flute kinda like inline thumpers ? I'm a newbe so ....

I will say yes in a way.

Bubble cap plates would more accurately represent thumper behavior as there is a bit more liquid likely to lay on the plate.

The perferated plate evolved as it is easier to manufacture and requires pressure from the boiler to prevent liquid being retained on the plate from colapsing.

[olddog]

There will be a new topic going up here pretty soon.I'm getting a new workshop next weekend and want to celebrate and christen it by putting this rig together

So we will have another Flute for the orchestra. Look forward to see some pics.


OD

[olddog]

I can count 12 Flutes in the pipeline at the moment. I will be good to compare how they perform.


OD

[Samohon]

Yep, flute crazy, the only way to go...

Good luck on the build AN... Watchin intentively...

OD, Not one of the stats yet... I'm have'nt started building, but I'am gonna prefab the plate tree soon, going the bubble-cap route with a 10mm weir... I think this will probably be the hardest part with all those bubble-caps to make...
Just wonderin if I could bend the weir up from thin copper sheet like they do on the bottom of a copper boiler...

Bubble-caps are the oldest of all the methods and act like a mini thumper...
Here's some piccies of what I plan to copy...

Though not that many on the plate (tray)...

Here's some theory for the new guy...
Just Click Here...
And Another...

I'll keep yall posted...

[Mr.Spooky]

i aint never used a needle valve, and by all definition,,, i havent truley ran my flute,,but, from what i gather from reading ALL of the flute post, even if the profile turnes out to be the same,, the time invested, and the way that the flute defines the hearts from the tails,, is worth the build . .......double fold.
spooky

[condensificator]

...back on track...yes. i am back on track with my project 3"T now.
...boiler should be done tonight...did it with a 4" triclamp ferrule, so it should be flute ready.

...so, time to start seriously thinking about the next one! how many plates is too many for a 4" bubbler? i am thinking of doing 6-7 or so, each will be modular, self contained, joined with tri-clamps (like a roll of lifesavers), so i can just use as many as i want for each run. 3-1/2" tall? figger do a couple of "blank" sections a bit taller for when i am using ony a couple plates, or perhaps to use packing somewhere in the stack? lots of possibilites. i figger just mark each one in order, and use the sight glasses to register their position for the downcomers.

i think i will hold off the decision on the plate config until i hear some feedback on KS's valve plates. should be a ton of work anyhow, so i got time to wait.

[condensificator]

RC and KS, i appreciate it, but i get off on seeing copper pics just as much as you guys do...don't really know why, i just love the stuff! as you can tell, i LOVE the building part of this sport more than anything, and now that i am closing in on the completion of the 3"T, i would feel empty if i didn't have something else to mess with. i love checking in on what all y'all are doing and figuring out how i can tweak it a bit. y'all rule!

i've been distilling my ass off over here, i can drive the still mutli-task-style when i am working. once i get a bit more caught up, i'm not going to be able to ferment as much due to the cold, and the tattoo biz slows down for the winter, so i should be able to have some fabricational good fun, and get a bubbler going.

got it figgered so i'll just do "floor" plates that are sandwiched inbetween the tri-clamp ferrules. gonna turn out a good size recess for them in the top ferrule for them to loose fit in, then the pfte gasket will lock and seal them in place. this way, they will be fully cleanable/replaceable/modular...i priced all of the copper, clamps/ferrules for the column sections and the sight glasses, and i think it's going to about the same as i spent so far on the 3"T. going to do a shotgun type deflag, and just build the top reducer out of sheet. got some fun ideas!

[condensificator]

...fergot to mention, i'm also going to use the "vapor shredder" condenser from my pot still. one of the reasons that i did a tri-clamp connection on that was so that it would be modular and able to be used on different set ups.

my conscience has been letting me get away with "watering the plants" for the past few months, but there is no excuse for making icicles on the snow with our well water. i have to figger out a reservoir/pump set up next. i'm gonna pipe it in from outside and this winter should kill the most baddest melonfarming vapor this world ever done seen...might have to run a percentage of antifreeze to keep everything flowing.

[DOLIKEADRINK]

MODULAR FLUTE BUILD FOR NEUTRAL AND WHISKEY ???

G'day I have been chewing over building a modular Flute that was good for whiskey and for a good clean neutral, I have been collecting bits and piece's for a while now, I have plenty of 4" and 3" copper pipe, I have also got my 4" SS Ferrules, Teflon seals and Tri-clover Clamps, I do realize there is a lot more to get and it can be quite costly, But i just got to have one! Any ideas big or small would be greatly appreciated, I have read all the Flute builds over and over i have even printed them out and put them in the Dunny so when i got some quite time i can have a read. "sorry enough dribble"

I have a SS Keg which i have Tig Welded a 4" Ferrule too, I have a large gas burner that is designed to work on a 50ltr boiler and will boil 1ltr a water a min, I was thinking of making it in sections joined by SS Ferules,Teflon Seals and Tri Clover Clamps The lower section would have 4 or 5 plates and the upper section would have 5 or 6 plates.

Olddog is at it again!!
Because i am a slack ass and my copper skills are up the shit, I think i have managed to talk Olddog into doing the build for me.

I would like to thank the HD community for being so forthcoming with there ideas,skills and experience.

Regards: Dolikeadrink

[condensificator]

sounds like we are on the same page for the modular flute deal. i think the recessed-step with the "floating" floorplates in the tri-clamp sandwich is going to kick ass. i'll be able to try out different plates without having to make a whole new section. if you guys think of any new ideas on this, please share!

gots to finish the 3"T, then i'm all over it. hopefully this weekend.

[olddog]

Yes the lower stage will have 4 plates like a normal flute, the dephlagmater will be attached with a 4"tri-clamp like Spooky's rig. You will be able to detach the dephlagmater and add a 6 plate section making it into a 10 plate flute, and the dephlagmater can be re-attached to the top of the added 6 plate section. Extensions will have to be made for the vapor output at the top of the dephlagmater to the graham condenser, also to the dephlagmater water feed from the control manifold will need an extension, or all of the controls will be out of reach with the 6 plate section added, also each module will have to have it own temp port.
Making 10 sight glasses will be a challenge, but it should look good when finished.


OD

[condensificator]

....aha. not the same page i guess, but the same book for sure. i'm planning each plate contained by a separate module.

one with a vapor takeoff is a GREAT idea...that way,i'll be able to collect vapor from level of the column depending on where the vm module is stacked. if the dephlag is capable of 100% reflux, it seems it would be super versatile..

YES! keep the ideas coming!
thanks.




...on a side note...does 6" copper even exist? could not find it on the internets....would be neat to make a fatty.

[kiwistiller]

Yup, it exists, I've got some. Think you'd be looking at an awful lot of power to run it though.

[hstuurman]

It will take a few years before I'll build a flute, but I realy like them.
Just finished the ponu, don't have enough space & time, and the misses wouldn't apriciate it when I spent a new amount of copper.
But I'm thinking about one similair to this:

A steam fired still with the rectification column set to the side. This configuration allows a complete bypassing of the column to approximate an alambic or Rayleigh distillation. This same bypass configuration would be appropriate for the production of gins and flavored vodkas. (Figure courtesy of Christian Carl, Ing. GmbH)

till that time I'll do a lot of reading (about you guys) and designing.

[olddog]

Try this one Wayne, and no, I aint going to build you one that big

.


OD

[olddog]

Yes thats the condenser just like Spooky's only in stainless.
If you want to see some real copper porn look here. http://bavarianbrewerytech.com/potstill ... Inside.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow or here http://www.brewing-distilling.com/page2 ... tills.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
You can download a brochure too, makes good reading.


OD

[Kentucky shinner]

Yes I have thermometer on my flute. Mine is located at the top before the dephlag. I use the thermo-well method that OD used. It is simply 1/4" copper tube that runs through the column with one end soldered up. My plated tree is also attached to this. You just slide your thermometer into the tube. No leaks or mess. It works great. No need for pressure gauge when using the perforated plates which it what I have in mine. I would suggest however if you plates other than perforated to use a pressure relief. I dont think a gauge is necessary but it may be pretty cool to have one.
KS

[LWTCS]

I also noticed they(Hoelstien) put one on the boilers.

Yep, boiler temp compared against the temps at various locations and you can prolly zero in on where the last bit of usable alcohol is as it moves through the head.

Great way to consistanly replicate run strategy.

[rednose]

No need for pressure gauge when using the perforated plates which it what I have in mine.
I would suggest however if you plates other than perforated to use a pressure relief.

Why do you except perforated plates?

They run risk be tapped the same as any other plates if you have the correct hole size.

[Kentucky shinner]

I guess Joe I can imagine how all the holes would become plugged off at the same time.. I don't really see how any of the holes could become plugged.
Why don't you explain how that could happen.

[Kentucky shinner]

No need for pressure gauge when using the perforated plates which it what I have in mine.
I would suggest however if you plates other than perforated to use a pressure relief.

Why do you except perforated plates?

They run risk be tapped the same as any other plates if you have the correct hole size.

In my opinion( you know what they say about opions JOE) a perforated plate would not require a pressure relief, but it would not be a bad idea by any means... What is The correct size hole joe, tell us

[rednose]

If you scale down this continious plate (which should be about 15 inch) to 4 inch and with that also the hole size you will know what I mean.

I always said that the holes you are working with are to big and too few for the diameter you are building, that's why these stills don't work as they COULD do.

[aproved by you and OD]

Have a great weekend all.

[Kentucky shinner]

so tell me Joe how about this.

[Smokehouse Shiner]

Got some questions for you flute guys as Im considering one myself(sort of). First these things use a deflag for reflux, most of which I see can be put into full reflux. When running these things are you putting them into full reflux for a period to equilibriate the column like running a nuetral column? Or is the full reflux just a novelty? Is the deflag used just to compress heads? Do you turn them off or way down when you get into hearts? I may get shot for bringing this up but I'm considering a super simplified(dumbed down) verion of a perforated plate coulumn with 2 or three plates in a 4" stainless column with.... no deflag. My coppers working skills and pocketbook just do not see getting the deflag built. What are your thoughts on this? All I'm trying to acheive is a boost in ABV on a single run(rum and whiskey) without losing any flavor and not mess with thumpers and such.65-70% in the hearts is what im shooting for. Aging proof on a single run. Recon it'll work? Or should I just settle in and get the deflag built. I dont mind the loss in heads compression and thus tighter cuts as I really like my all feints runs. Thanks in advance and please be brutally honest.

[rednose]

so tell me Joe how about this.

I like that KS, with this hole size/quantity you might get around the first plate problem you experienced.

Anyhow, I would not feel comfort to fire a still with small (but good) hole size without a pressure release before the first plate (in the column or boiler) as => if lets say 10% get tapped the vapor speed will increase in the remaining holes and it has even more risk to get tapped by impurities or whatever, safety first !!!

The pressure release for a small still don't cost more than 20 bucks but can avoid a much bigger spending and you will feel much better babysitting your beloved still.

Today I wouldn't run ANY still without a safety valve (at least over pressure, not talking about vacuum), but that's just me.

[rednose]

Got some questions for you flute guys as Im considering one myself(sort of)Is the deflag used just to compress heads? Do you turn them off or way down when you get into hearts?

If you shut off the deplagmator after heads compression you will run in pot mode and will archive much less ABV but you might wont that for better flavour transmission In gin, herbs, whiskey, rum runs. You can play with the dephlagmator setiing to fine tune what you want to make.

Joe

[rubber duck]

Couldn't a simple boka style coil be inserted in the top part of the column with the impute and out put lines sticking out the side be used for cooling? Then put a reducer on top and this would save a lot of money on fittings? Kinda a poor mans deflag and a lot easier then a shotgun.

It just seems like this would be a simpler, cheaper cooling solution especially when working with 4in.

[Kentucky shinner]

Today I wouldn't run ANY still without a safety valve (at least over pressure, not talking about vacuum), but that's just me.

You are right Joe all the stills I build for others have a pop off valve. Mine does not.
Thanks Joe,
KS

[LWTCS]

Got some questions for you flute guys as Im considering one myself(sort of). First these things use a deflag for reflux, most of which I see can be put into full reflux. When running these things are you putting them into full reflux for a period to equilibriate the column like running a nuetral column? Or is the full reflux just a novelty? Is the deflag used just to compress heads? Do you turn them off or way down when you get into hearts? I may get shot for bringing this up but I'm considering a super simplified(dumbed down) verion of a perforated plate coulumn with 2 or three plates in a 4" stainless column with.... no deflag. My coppers working skills and pocketbook just do not see getting the deflag built. What are your thoughts on this? All I'm trying to acheive is a boost in ABV on a single run(rum and whiskey) without losing any flavor and not mess with thumpers and such.65-70% in the hearts is what im shooting for. Aging proof on a single run. Recon it'll work? Or should I just settle in and get the deflag built. I dont mind the loss in heads compression and thus tighter cuts as I really like my all feints runs. Thanks in advance and please be brutally honest.

My design might be better suited for you smokehouse. It doesn't need a dephlegmater to initiate the desired plate behavior......... It is not a thumper......but rather a series of thumpers.

Also, I am on my second run with my tuneable thumper configuration.

Have you seen those examples?