My modular 2" still - first assembly.
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- rubelstrudel
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My modular 2" still - first assembly.
My modular still is getting very close to completion now. All parts have arrived and I am working on putting it all together.
Here is my 70l boiler, with a 5.5kw electrical heater element mounted on a 2" tri clamp connection welded to the side of the boiler.
Thanks to members of this board for pointing out the parts for doing this. For this first run I decided on making a boka configuration using the boka bend I purchased with all the stock parts. You can see here the boka bend and a product cooler. The cooling water is mounted the wrong way for the product cooler, but I'll reconnect everything before doing a test run. There are also at least one pin valve to many, but that was an easy way to connect everything. You will also see a short copper pipe to lead my product to a proper container. On top of the boka bend I put a tee so that the colum was better balanced and for fitting a thermometer. And all the way on top is the 2" 50cm shotgun cooler. This should be able to knock back the fumes I am making. Thats it for now. I'll have to finish my electrics before doing a test run. I only have 20A/230v fuses, so I cant really run the 5.5kW heater full blast, even if my voltage regulator should be able to handle 6kVA. But it should be fine as long as I limit the voltage to about 160V.
Here is my 70l boiler, with a 5.5kw electrical heater element mounted on a 2" tri clamp connection welded to the side of the boiler.
Thanks to members of this board for pointing out the parts for doing this. For this first run I decided on making a boka configuration using the boka bend I purchased with all the stock parts. You can see here the boka bend and a product cooler. The cooling water is mounted the wrong way for the product cooler, but I'll reconnect everything before doing a test run. There are also at least one pin valve to many, but that was an easy way to connect everything. You will also see a short copper pipe to lead my product to a proper container. On top of the boka bend I put a tee so that the colum was better balanced and for fitting a thermometer. And all the way on top is the 2" 50cm shotgun cooler. This should be able to knock back the fumes I am making. Thats it for now. I'll have to finish my electrics before doing a test run. I only have 20A/230v fuses, so I cant really run the 5.5kW heater full blast, even if my voltage regulator should be able to handle 6kVA. But it should be fine as long as I limit the voltage to about 160V.
Always impatient. But learning.
Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
I interesting approach. Can't really see the top, assume it's not sealed, that is a vent, Yeah? Its just an open reduction, like a spout? If so, no need for it, that shotty can just be wide open.
Also, not sure what makes this a boka, it's pretty far from any of boka's work I can think of!
What does the inside of the LM trap look like? Did you buy it somewhere?
Edit, I should add it looks like a totally capable still. Should make some good juice
Also, not sure what makes this a boka, it's pretty far from any of boka's work I can think of!
What does the inside of the LM trap look like? Did you buy it somewhere?
Edit, I should add it looks like a totally capable still. Should make some good juice
- rubelstrudel
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Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
Bought everything but the tubing off aliexpress. The bend where the product is pulled out has a small ledge, so yes, this is a boka. And yes, the top has this reducer just for good looks, and the possibility to run a hose out the window in case of accidental fumes.
Always impatient. But learning.
Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
Gotcha. If you run the hose into a cup of water or activated carbon it will catch the initial smelly non condensables. Might be easier than out a window.
Care to share the Aliexpress supplier? And the country you are in?
Care to share the Aliexpress supplier? And the country you are in?
- rubelstrudel
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Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
I mostly bought from distillarius. My secret lab is in Norway. Even owning this equipment is illegal here. But when I disassemble this is just a pile of pipes. Not a still, no no no.
Always impatient. But learning.
- rubelstrudel
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Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
I am running a cleaning run on this still now. And it is working like a charm. Everything fit right away, and after I had tightened a couple of the hose clamps I was set to start.
Heated up at 130V (14A -> about 2kW)
Reduced to 105V (12A -> about 1.3kW) when producing.
The temperature rose and was rock steady at 77.9C. There was no steam coming out, and when I tested the product I had pulled out it broke the scale on my refractometer. I had to bring out the good ol' alcometer and it showed that I was producing clean pure 96% ABV.
There are no leaks, no smell, just the sound of cooling water running.
After pulling off about 1.2L of product the temperature started rising rapidly and I shut down the still.
I've got 100L of wash waiting to run. Next week it'll be nice and clear for running.
Great fun.
Heated up at 130V (14A -> about 2kW)
Reduced to 105V (12A -> about 1.3kW) when producing.
The temperature rose and was rock steady at 77.9C. There was no steam coming out, and when I tested the product I had pulled out it broke the scale on my refractometer. I had to bring out the good ol' alcometer and it showed that I was producing clean pure 96% ABV.
There are no leaks, no smell, just the sound of cooling water running.
After pulling off about 1.2L of product the temperature started rising rapidly and I shut down the still.
I've got 100L of wash waiting to run. Next week it'll be nice and clear for running.
Great fun.
Always impatient. But learning.
- rubelstrudel
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Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
Just a little GIF to show the action.
Always impatient. But learning.
- rubelstrudel
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Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
And here are pictures of the reflux module. The part I called a Boka-bend.
And an inside view. Maybe we should call this design the "Rubelstrudel"
Purchased from the Distillarius store on Aliexpress.And an inside view. Maybe we should call this design the "Rubelstrudel"
Last edited by rubelstrudel on Fri Apr 13, 2018 12:17 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Always impatient. But learning.
Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
He'll yeah, That'll get the job done
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Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
thanks for the tip on the AliExpress vendor
--
50L Beer keg boiler, 2200W element
Modular 2" Pot Still
opinions are free and everybody has them, experience costs you time
50L Beer keg boiler, 2200W element
Modular 2" Pot Still
opinions are free and everybody has them, experience costs you time
- rubelstrudel
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Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
Just a short writeup of what I used to build this thing:
Only thing missing are the 12 stainless pot scrubs used for packing.Always impatient. But learning.
Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
So, a year later are you still happy with it? I'm thinking about one of their boilers and the lid clamps are making me think twice.
If I didn't learn the hard way, I wouldn't learn at all!
- rubelstrudel
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Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
Still very happy. I've mostly used it in pot still mode the last year and it really is nice to be able to just plug it together the way I want.
The only thing I regret is having a presumable Pro weld the heating element ferrule. The weld has started to leak. I should have done as I originally meant and used a screw on ferrule instead.
I've also installed pneumatic quick connectors for the cooling water. That makes life much easier. And I installed a drain valve, screw on type.
The only thing I regret is having a presumable Pro weld the heating element ferrule. The weld has started to leak. I should have done as I originally meant and used a screw on ferrule instead.
I've also installed pneumatic quick connectors for the cooling water. That makes life much easier. And I installed a drain valve, screw on type.
Always impatient. But learning.
Re: My modular 2" still - first assembly.
That sucks. I've never had a single stainless weld done professionally I was happy with. Most were just ugly. Many were rough and far from sanitary. Several leaked eventually. A couple leaked immediately. Whatever the real pros manufacturing ss parts are doing, well known of my local shops know how to do it!
I was SOOOO happy when I learned to solder stainless.
I was SOOOO happy when I learned to solder stainless.