Nixon Stone 4"still

[DVW70]

Perforated plate with 2nd stage take off. Also had a 4" TRI clamp installed so I could do fast stripping runs. The idea of the top is it can be used to mash, ferment and distill. And it fits a standard SS 30 and 55 gallon drum should it reach commercial ignition.

All copper silver brazed and nitrogen filled during brazing. Friend had the fittings laying around and I did a fair amount of steam consulting along the years so I called in some help. Heat Exchangers next and final dormant of plates.

[DVW70]

All the parts for a water sealed paddle stirrer. Add a 1/2 not brass nipple for increased water volume. It ran all night and used about half the water.

[Yummyrum]

Nice build
Is it finished ? Can't see the take-off port from the collection cup or the reflux return or does it run back down the column ?
Also wondering about the Reflux condenser . Is it a short shotty we can see or are you going to extend it with the traditional coil type RC ?

Love seeing something a bit different

[DVW70]

It's about 90%. The redux hx will be a U-bend head so the pressure drop is low since I've switched to closed loop cooling and radiator. I live with a low output well pump and using small ecm wet rotor pump for circulation.

The reflux will connect from the bottom of the reflux condenser back to the 5th stage so it can be viewed in the window.

Above the 2nd stage is a take off stub for VM to the condenser. I also need a dump from upper stages so any condensed condensed vapor that migrated will drain back.

I'm trying to minimize the number by utilizing a couple options in the head.

The final condenser

[raketemensch]

Beautiful work, I love the multiple-uses, and especially the stirrer.

[DVW70]

Finally got around to building the two pass heat exchanger - used software for hvac applications to calculate surface area then used 3/8 ac copper and copper tube sheet. Capable of knocking down 100kbtu with 80F Supply and 90F return ( designed for summer efficiency. This Little puppy has 4 square feet of surface area.

The perforated plates are completed, assembled with SS threaded rod and able to adjust to little discrepancies as the entire assembly is slid into the head. Only paid for the copper 4” round blanks and SS threaded rods, nuts and washers.

Next step is cleanin everything. Any recommendations on how to thoroughly cleaning????

[DVW70]

This is the shotgun condenser. I didn’t have any 2” copper so I split 1-1/4” and solders the flattened plates and rolled them in steel pipe, made this as as single pass with two cold water inlets . There is 1.5 square feet of surface area. The Tu sheet has one tube flared to help hold it all together. I wouldn’t call it pro quality but I don’t have time to be critical. And no leaks under pressure.