Steam build
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- Dancing4dan
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Steam build
A little copper plating on the 304 stainless and it all matches up! All the joints are filed and sanded.
Waiting for USPS to deliver a few more parts.
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
- Yummyrum
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Re: Steam build
Love your copper plating . So cool
My recommended goto .
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
- Dancing4dan
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Re: Steam build
The pressure relief valve needs some explaining. It is as yet untested.
It consists of a ball and seat. The seat is a piece of 3/4 coupling and the ball is a 1” bearing. The coupling has been lapped so the ball seals on the end of the coupling. The spring from a keg has a washer liver soldered to one end. There is a space between the washer and the ball as demonstrated by a copper ring in the photos. The spring and washer are only for containing the ball and just sit over the ball. It is not soldered to the column.
The space between the washer and the ball can be stacked with dollar coins to add weight to the ball so it can be calibrated to the pressure required.
It consists of a ball and seat. The seat is a piece of 3/4 coupling and the ball is a 1” bearing. The coupling has been lapped so the ball seals on the end of the coupling. The spring from a keg has a washer liver soldered to one end. There is a space between the washer and the ball as demonstrated by a copper ring in the photos. The spring and washer are only for containing the ball and just sit over the ball. It is not soldered to the column.
The space between the washer and the ball can be stacked with dollar coins to add weight to the ball so it can be calibrated to the pressure required.
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Re: Steam build
Hi, I have modified a valve in a similar way (a valve for compressed air) for my steam jacket, if I can I give you a little suggestion: if you can, insert the spring (or a similar one) over the ball, with a screw system / unscrew you can adjust the compression (therefore the force of opposition to the pressure) of the spring. The spring must not be too "hard" otherwise it will not work.
- Dancing4dan
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Re: Steam build
If I can’t get enough pressure hold with weights I will rig that up! Good idea.
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
- Dancing4dan
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Re: Steam build
Some progress.
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Re: Steam build
Excuse me, maybe I am talking nonsense but in the keg where the wash is located the steam entry must not be at the bottom? Maybe I misunderstood your design ...Maybe there is a pipe running down through the column?
Re: Steam build
Yes, should be tube in a tube that extends below the liquid level.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
- Dancing4dan
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Re: Steam build
Have a look at Michigacornhusker’s build thread. He deserves credit for the steam entry point.
https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 92&t=60248
Here is a picture of my steam pipe inside primary column at the point it connects using a 90 degree elbow an a touch of finesse.
https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 92&t=60248
Here is a picture of my steam pipe inside primary column at the point it connects using a 90 degree elbow an a touch of finesse.
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Re: Steam build
Yeah it's a really tidy solution.
That's a nice outfit.
That's a nice outfit.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
- Dancing4dan
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Re: Steam build
Thanks!
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
- shadylane
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Re: Steam build
Just a guestimation and I might be wrongDancing4dan wrote: ↑Tue Feb 02, 2021 4:20 pm If I can’t get enough pressure hold with weights I will rig that up! Good idea.
With a 1" ball
It's going to take 1.3 pounds of pressure holding the ball down for every PSI
- Dancing4dan
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Re: Steam build
Good to knowshadylane wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 12:09 amJust a guestimation and I might be wrongDancing4dan wrote: ↑Tue Feb 02, 2021 4:20 pm If I can’t get enough pressure hold with weights I will rig that up! Good idea.
With a 1" ball
It's going to take 1.3 pounds of pressure holding the ball down for every PSI
Cleaning run will be used for test and tune on the relief valve idea. I have a lite spring if it needs to be topped with an adjuster. The only gauge I have is an antique and is in mm of mercury. Might be an add on just for shits and giggles.
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Re: Steam build
Maybe you could use compressed air with a pressure gauge (only on the part of the column with the valve), it's just an idea I don't know if it is technically correct as a test.The only gauge I have is an antique and is in mm of mercury. Might be an add on just for shits and giggles.
- SomethingObscure
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Re: Steam build
Quick question shady. Do you calculate that by taking the weight of the ball bearing and dividing it by the surface area of the opening?shadylane wrote:Just a guestimation and I might be wrong [emoji38]Dancing4dan wrote: ↑Tue Feb 02, 2021 4:20 pm If I can’t get enough pressure hold with weights I will rig that up! Good idea.
With a 1" ball
It's going to take 1.3 pounds of pressure holding the ball down for every PSI
So you could increase the pressure by drilling a small hole in an end cap and covering it with the ball bearing?
Cheers SomethingObscure
Re: Steam build
Usually focus on the technical parts but that still is looking very pretty.
Might have to polish up the keg next.
Might have to polish up the keg next.
- Dancing4dan
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Re: Steam build
220 Volt 30A controller. I added a 30A switch to the left side of the box since The photo was taken. Cycled a 4800 Watt shop heater repeatedly up and down to test controller. Seems good. All the smoke stayed in. A small USB fan for cooling. Didn’t seem to build any heat... but it is -29 Celsius.
Thanks for looking in.
Thanks for looking in.
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Re: Steam build
Just curious what the tall column and sight glass are for?
- Dancing4dan
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Re: Steam build
Lol. The column has every piece installed in that photo. I cut up my old column to make this and had the copper from that. If you look close the column can be assembled in several different configurations because of the tri clamps. I would like to add the ability to have Boka reflux as an option. I have some ideas that would make it removable. The glass sight is just there for future plans. Every piece can be eliminated or added in as needed.
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Re: Steam build
How are you going to drive the Boka? Steam? I'm curious how direct steam injection would work to drive a reflux still. I'm thinking it may not work real well. I have been looking but have not seen anyone on here that has done it successfully.
Re: Steam build
Not optimal, but with some engineering it could be optimized. Couple things come to mind.
*Eductor head installed horizontally, low, and on the tangent to promote mixing and also ensuring that incoming steam vapor is condensed as rapidly as possible.
* bubble ball type apparatus installed below the column to act as a buffer.
I don't think it'll be a very good rectifier. But I bet it'll do whiskey pretty good.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
- Dancing4dan
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Re: Steam build
No. Wasn’t thinking steam for a Boka.
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
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- Master of Distillation
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Re: Steam build
But that tube can be set OUTSIDE the thumper/ steamer.
It still needs to extend from the top to the bottom...
Geoff
The Baker
- shadylane
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Re: Steam build
Use some clear plastic hose and make a water manometer.Dancing4dan wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 5:43 am The only gauge I have is an antique and is in mm of mercury.
Make the manometer twice as tall as the thumper is deep.
The mano will double as a gage and pressure safety relief
- Dancing4dan
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Re: Steam build
There is some polycarbonate tubing set aside for that. Will intersect the steam cross arm with a T. Couple things getting worked out all at once.shadylane wrote: ↑Wed Feb 17, 2021 12:40 amUse some clear plastic hose and make a water manometer.Dancing4dan wrote: ↑Sun Feb 14, 2021 5:43 am The only gauge I have is an antique and is in mm of mercury.
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
- Dancing4dan
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Re: Steam build
Silver soldered a pull through 2” ferrule to the lid of the mash pot.
Some pics of some of the ways the still column can be reconfigured. It can go on a keg and can also attach just the head without the short extension.
One goal is to be able to steam on grain.
Thank for looking in.
Some pics of some of the ways the still column can be reconfigured. It can go on a keg and can also attach just the head without the short extension.
One goal is to be able to steam on grain.
Thank for looking in.
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
- shadylane
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Re: Steam build
Looking good
- Dancing4dan
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Re: Steam build
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
- Dancing4dan
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- Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2020 4:18 pm
- Location: Alberta
Re: Steam build
Silver soldered a pull through 2” ferrule in the side of the 20 gallon pot. Tri clamp adapter for the 4500 Watt element. Test ran the controller. All checks out.
Today was cleaning run. Vinegar run found a couple small solder leaks. Repair and clean the copper and did Vinegar run again! Ran some heads and two gallons of water through after that high and hot. Then wiped it all down and did just a long steam run through everything.
There is a four inch ferrule for the pot lid but I’m still considering how to do it. Same for both kegs.
Thanks for looking.
Today was cleaning run. Vinegar run found a couple small solder leaks. Repair and clean the copper and did Vinegar run again! Ran some heads and two gallons of water through after that high and hot. Then wiped it all down and did just a long steam run through everything.
There is a four inch ferrule for the pot lid but I’m still considering how to do it. Same for both kegs.
Thanks for looking.
"What harms us is to persist in self deceit and ignorance"
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
Marcus Aurelius
I’m not an alcoholic! I’m a drunk. Alcoholics go to meetings!
- BlueSasquatch
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Re: Steam build
So how have you found this to work? I greatly like the look of this, over a purchased valve. I am needing something for my new rig, and with a 2" Tee with a top-Cap, It would be an easy switch to put a 2x1 reducer like you have shown.Dancing4dan wrote: ↑Mon Feb 01, 2021 3:40 am The pressure relief valve needs some explaining. It is as yet untested.
It consists of a ball and seat. The seat is a piece of 3/4 coupling and the ball is a 1” bearing. The coupling has been lapped so the ball seals on the end of the coupling. The spring from a keg has a washer liver soldered to one end. There is a space between the washer and the ball as demonstrated by a copper ring in the photos. The spring and washer are only for containing the ball and just sit over the ball. It is not soldered to the column.
The space between the washer and the ball can be stacked with dollar coins to add weight to the ball so it can be calibrated to the pressure required.
What do you mean the coupling has been lapped? You've got a 2x1 reducer and a 3/4" coupling soldered on the inside to the 1" portion of the reducer? The 1" ball bearing sits on top, another 3/4" coupling ontop of that, and the spring with washer, keeps the whole thing together, while providing downward pressure to the ball. Correct?
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