Modified Bokakob question - cooling.

[sciezyna]

Hello,

I've just built a head based on the Bobakob system with some modifications. I guess for more experienced craftsmen the simple drawing is enough but just in case few words to explain:

I have 45L S/S keg. S/S 3" threaded coupling to 3" s/s column packed with s/s scrubbers approx 25". There is 1 x o-ring flange on top of the 3" s/s. In this flange there is 1" double o-ring for 1" copper pipe (bottom of the reflux head. I am driving the system with 3 ring gas burner adjusted as needed. Vapours go through the 1" hit the top and come out through the holes, go up to the coil, supposed to be cooled down, drip and if chocked liquid collects till the level of the 1/6" bend down tube and back onto the packing.

The coil is of 1/4" double wounded, on 3/4" tube with second wound outside. I unwound the coils to get space between - the tubes are not touching each other. All fits with some room into the top of the head. There should be about 2.3m of the 1/4" tube in the coil. I check temp. just under the coil and have vent/temp. access on the top - just in case something goes bad.

I am finishing water cooling set, small pump, with two air-conditioner radiators + fans) - in OZ water problems.

Reflux headJS.jpg

I just run the head with water/vinegar mix and I noticed that there is pressure build-up even though there was no choke on the reflux tube. The temp under the coil was 100.3C (i guess vinegar) I had water run from the collection tube. Now the questions:

Is the pressure just be cause of the water/vinegar?
The collected water was very hot (not surprisingly) - will the coil (your experience) be efficient enough to cool the future spirit - or is it visible for you I am wasting my time?

How the original Bokakob's head deals with pressure build-up inside the initially fully chocked refluxed system?
Do I need secondary condenser for the collected liquid?
Did I grossly missed some basic design feature?

Being on the safe side I did not solder the whole unit - as seen on drawing the connection of 2" reduction and the 2" casing of the coil is sealed with flour paste.

Even in the slanted plate design the system is temporarily sealed in the beginning. What happens with the pressure? Is there any pressure?

I would appreciate some feedback, any comment on that.

I got just finishing (past this weekend) 60L of honey + water bubbling.

Thanks

Julius