Why not a big column!

[zeff]

Just wanted to get people reasons for having small packed columns instead of longer ones. Most people seem to have columns about 1 to 1.2 meters long. The logistics of having a long column arnt exactly impossible, mines 2 meters long and is great. I started off with a 1 meter column and had to hold it at about 10-15mls/min at the start of the run to get 96% alcohol. By simply putting another meter of packed column under the existing column i was able to collect the first bottle off a 25L wash at 70mls/min at 96%. I just dont see why if you go to the trouble of making a nixon/stone sort of still why you would have a short column which significantly decreases performance