New member...1st (of many) questions.

[FLquacker]

I have begun working on a "reflux" style still that has a piped route to the condenser (via a T) close to the top of the column that then runs parallel back down the column where the output is at the bottom of the condenser. It does have cooling coils wrapped around the column about 2/3 the way up.

Reading thru the forum, I see mentions of a valve to the output. With the design of these stills, the condenser is basically "inside" the column.

Here's my question. What is the disadvantage of the design style I have chosen relating to equilibrium? (if any)

Or, is it just a matter of how it is run? (the still)

[Hawke]

It sounds like you are building a Coolant Management (CM) variant, or possibly a Power Management (PM). Both styles have the reflux condencer below the take-off port, and are a little more difficult to tune than a Vapor Management (VM).
Both the CM and PM stills are usually built with a closed top column and no valve.
The VM has the reflux condenser above the take-off, an open top column and a valve on the take-off.
You never want to have a sealed column in combination with a valved take-off. This would equate to about 3 sticks of dynomite.

[HookLine]

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =17&t=6151

[FLquacker]

LOL...I've been reading, really!

Missed that thread:)

Thanks.

[rad14701]

Welcome, FLquacker...

As pointed out previously, there are better designs than the one you are currently working on... I doubt that it's too late to make some changes that will improve performance... Plenty of good information to be had here, but it can take some snooping about...

Good luck...