boiler~plates~packed

[Tap]

very nice mate. Defenitely one of the more interesting build threads I've seen in a long while.

toodaloo.

Tap.Out

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

Very nice. Always good to see your builds googe.

[googe]

How does your column work again

Bastard!

[googe]

Thanks tap, tokaroa

[googe]

Put a valve on the second column drain. Going to take refluxed distillate when running in full reflux, and when taking product at high ABV. Just want to know what's coming out the bottom, have always wanted to try it and now I can with this setup. Will test ABV, smell, taste etc.

[InglisHill]

Is that a galv fitting?

[googe]

The valve?, it's ss.

[InglisHill]

Under the valve?

PS, does the vss one have dn20 stamped on it?

[googe]

Ah, that's a compressor fitting, I've taken that off and put a nipple and pipe on it. Yeah think it's a dn20, why's that?.

[humbledore]

Love. This. Build. It's outside the box, I didn't understand it at first. And it kept evolving. Very cool.

[S-Cackalacky]

Googe, do you really seriously think customs will recognize that thing as a still? You more likely to get arrested for trying to transport an atomic bomb.

Great looking build. Wish I could begin to fathom how it works.

[googe]

Thanks humbledore, yeah its slowly turning into a science experiment lol, still got more things I want to.add for testing too!. Thanks cack, when its striped down it looks just like any other plated still, just extra parts lol. Do you really not understand how it works?. I've had a lot of that but thought the video helped?. Let me know and I'll try explain with a diagram or another video, really want people to get it.

[googe]

Just tested the drain, took fores then put it in full reflux, sample was 30%, very watery tasting, next to no burn. Opened valve and collected at 88%, being a dickhead, I forgot to pack the second column!, took a sample and it was around 80%!, smelt and tasted very similar to what was coming out the parrot. I don't understand what happened, taking at 88%, I thought what would be coming out the drain would be 12% etc!?.

[Tap]

Googe, this has been one of my favorite builds that I've seen recently.

I think a diagram would be another wicked addition to this build thread for those who can't see what is that you've made.

I think we would all love to see, not only how your rig is plumbed, but also how you've designed your plates.

its a big ask, but I'm betting that a lot of people will benefit from a diagram of your newest toy.

Don't spare any details!

Tap. Out.

[googe]

Thanks tap hope the pic helps. Simple.way to think.about it is, get a plated column with a packed section on top, cut it where the packed section joins and where the plated section joins the boiler, wack them.on a table and add vapor feed lines to them. The plates are just single cap plates, 1.5" riser, 2" cap, 3/4x1/2" reducer for the downcomer, with a 3/4" cap on the downcomer leg.

[humbledore]

Googe doesn't that just mean you hit 80% over 3 plates? I bet if you packed the second column you'd get a bigger difference, the ABV coming off the parrot would be higher. But the bottom drain would still be 80% (just a guess).

There was one thing I was wondering about the design. Anything that comes out the second column drain is returned to the boiler, yet that's pretty high ABV going straight to the boiler instead of back down over the plates. I don't know if it's a problem, but you spent time and effort to get that higher ABV and once it's in the boiler you'll have to do it over again. I guess it's a tradeoff for a shorter design?

[Tap]

Wow that was quick! Thanks for sharing.

Now we just need another member to build one... I'd offer that to be me.... but I'm not ready for a fractionating column yet. I like my pot and thump.

I've been thinking that I might draw up an autoCAD rendering of this. Just to share with the community for future reference. One more bag of tricks in the hobbyists arsenal...

Tap.Out.

[googe]

ABV is usually 88~90 with three plates humbledore, was running bad that day for some.reason!. Your right, it would seem wrong to send high ABV back to the boiler, but works with this setup. An ideal would be separate tanks under the columns. That would be cool tap, I've tried cad programs, they do my head in! .

[cuddy-boozer]

Looks very good! Great work on the copper!

[humbledore]

I wonder if you slightly raised the packed column enough to return the reflux to the bottom plate instead of the boiler, if that would change the dynamics at all. Just thinking out loud...

[badbird]

It'd be interesting to try a big ass bubbleball on top of the boiler to catch the return

bb

[Tap]

It'd be interesting to try a big ass bubbleball on top of the boiler to catch the return

bb

Wha?

[badbird]

Its is a large chamber that reflux from the column goes to as apposed to dropping into the boiler, usually with a single tall bubble cap (but some use packing) that can hold a significant percentage of the boilers alcohol charge. Once its charged up the boiler is just a steam generator.

Snugy made a nice one here

bb

[googe]

Thanks cuddy. Both them.ideas could work Himbledore, bb. Won't be doing anything else with this one though, of I make any changes it will be a total overhaul.

[googe]

Just did a test with the second drain again, with packing this time lol. Was taking off at over 96%, first time.ever!. The sample.from the drain was 80%. Same ABV as taking off at 88%. Got no idea. Also did some speed testing, rum at 90% at 3.7lph, and neutral at 96% at 4.2lph, been running it to slow!!.

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

Holy damn there googe. That's quick.

[googe]

Yeah pretty happy tok .
Just put a motorized ball valve and two way momentary switch on the rc control. Switch one way opens the valve, switch the other way it closes. Works well!.

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

Nice.

[googe]

Thanks tok!.

[Tokoroa_Shiner]

When you bringing that rig over the ditch? Lol