zapata wrote:One thing I wanted to bring up in the other thread where you asked why you don't see rigs like that here. Russians tend to run smaller columns than most on this forum. 2" is about the minimum we see, plenty of 3", even some 4".
With a 2" + column, its just easier to dial it in without needing to run it right at its limit. Which I think is why its more common to see russian rigs designed to run right at the choking/puking limit.
The other thing I have observed is that with seemingly more russians using SPP, there is a higher tendency to run in a flooded or partially condition on purpose.
So not that the design is bad, we just tend to approach it a different way. In fact, I think it's a pretty good solution.
To be honest Im amazed at the performance yall can get out of those smaller columns.
This explains a lot, when i'm reading that column on choking/puking should sound like helicopter I could not imagine it.
zapata wrote:
Regarding the heads question, Im not sure exactly what you are saying. It sounds like you are saying that some people use a partial condenser to let just the heads pass the condensor and just escape into the air? That sounds very dangerous to me. And not much faster anyway. Did I read it wrong?
der wo wrote:
I am not sure I understand you right. But yes, a design, which is open to atmosphere at the reflux coil, will loose some foreshots during the 100% reflux phase. If you maintain 100% reflux for 30min you will reduce the foreshots, because extreme volatile compounds like the aplle smell will air out effectively.
Yes, during process heads escape into the air (ventilation hole) or into glass throught small air coulant condenser. Here reflux condensers acts like partial condenser (dephlegmator) on CM columns. We have opinion that while the column is working new heads are formed.
der wo wrote:
Of course it's your decision and I understand that it sounds strange for you, because in the Russian forum the members doesn't see a problem with silicone.
I had suspicions about silicon tubes, but all guys use it's. That you think about brass?
der wo wrote:
Leaving a still unattended is dangerous. Of course again it's your decision, but we won't discuss it here, we have it enough. Except you have really a new idea (arduino isn't a new idea).
It's also, because legislation is possible perhaps in future. We want to present our hobby in a responsible manner.
Yes, it's dangerous, russian forums have thread about fires and blow ups
Who leave column unattended uses different sensors to prevent problem and/or put column outside of home.
der wo wrote:
You should upgrade your column. 28mm is too slow. Two main problems -the need of the silicone tube to check for flooding and leaving the still unattended, because the runs need so much time- are the result of the small diameter.
Yes, is slow. I'm satisfied with the current performance. Maybe in future i'm make column from 35mm pipe.
der wo wrote:
It's interesting that the nixon-stone replaced the boka in your country. In western countries it's the opposite, the boka replaced the nixon-stone. And the western way sounds logical, because the nixon-stone was first and then the boka came up. Do you know what is the reason, that the Russian distilers moved to the nixon-stone?
View the process inside column is "new way" in Russia. Nixon-stone allow view process inside column. Boka design have obstacles to vapour.
der wo wrote:
How we normally run a LM for neutral:
-We choose a wattage relatively close to flooding, but without a risk, and send all the reflux back into the column a while.
-then we open the needle valve a bit and collect something like 1 drip per second foreshots.
-When the smell gets better we open a little more and collect heads. Those can get recycled with the next batch.
-When the smell seems to be perfect, we open a little more and collect a few small jars.If they are heads or hearts is decided next days.
-Then we collect hearts a bit faster, but always we stay at 95% or more controlled by vapor temp.
-Although we have still 95% or more, the taste will get worse. So at a point we start to collect small jars again and decide later, where start the tails. Many of us collect the whole run in jars. This is the safest way, but more effort.
The first point is similar to our approach.
We doesn't split foreshots and heads, and collect together with speed one drip per second. We calculate volume of absolute spiritus and 10% of this is heads, smell is second tool. We not recycle heads, we throw out it or use as solvent. Collecting of hearts similar, but we keep 96%.
When temperature sensor on 2/3 of column height increase on +0.2C or + 0.4C we stop process, we also can wait some time and when sensor show past value we can collect a bit of neutrals. Some guys uses electromagnetic valve for this.This approach for neutrals from simple sugar wash. For grain or fruits (we should save taste and smell) we use approach like your.
der wo wrote:"Russian vodka columns". When I read this I think more about the aabratek design:
images.jpg
This is a design, I have often seen on bimber.info and almost noone here uses it, although it looks perfect IMO.
This design popular too, it's called hockey stick. There is an opinion that the reflux here is excessively cooled.