Designing

[pstain]

Well, I have been doing a lot of reading, and I think I will be going with a Bokakob design for my first project. I have unlimited access to free 2.5" copper/unions....limited 2". Playing with the 2.5" seems the best option since we have a lot of it, but the plans I have seen thus far deal mainly with 2". Doing my research here tells me that my column using 2.5" should be 5'. I have been trying to design the condensor/head for this and haven't found an easy conversion from the 2" to 2.5" copper. I have done some calcs on paper, but, I am not sure that gaps on the design are within specs. Also, I would appreciate some guidance on the total length of the condensor/head assembly. Here's my thoughts on the condensor build minus the total length....dealing with just the dia right now.

1. 1/2" cold finger
2. 1/4" "soft-rolled" tubing for the first wrap over 1" mandrel.
3. 1/4" second wrap over 1.5".

The result of this will be 1/4" between the cold finger and the inner edge of the first coil wrap, 1/4" between the first/second coil wrap, and 1/4" gap between the outer edges of the condensor assembly and the inner edge of the 2.5" pipe......this, if I calculated correctly, should result in a space of 6.35 mm between the outer edge of the condensor assembly and the inner surface of the 2.5" pipe. I am sure that this spacing of 6.35mm won't choke the head, but, is it too much as to create blow by of the vapor?

I am learning here...as the above will show, so don't feel bad about stinging my feelings. I am sure Rad will.

TIA, for any help.
Len

[kiwistiller]

it sounds like it will absolutely punch down anything you can throw at it... how long will it be? It would be even better if you have copper mesh in the gaps.

[rad14701]

With 2.5" you could get away with a 5' total height column... ~48" of packed column, 6" - 8" of double helix condenser, and a dual slant plate section... The packed column section would be just above 18:1 height:diameter ratio which should work adequately... Start from the condenser and work your way down...

[pstain]

it sounds like it will absolutely punch down anything you can throw at it... how long will it be? It would be even better if you have copper mesh in the gaps.

Kiwi, I forgot to post my thoughts on copper mesh in the 1/4" gaps.....play off's don't ya know!

[kiwistiller]

I don't know but I'll take your word for it

[pstain]

I don't know but I'll take your word for it

Kiwi, I thought the 1/4" gaps were too wide and I posted what I did to see what responses I would get. I know this board is a "learn-first"...ask questions later. No probs there. Just feeling out so that I don't go "Overboard" and waste my time building something that is wrong. Rad, has already given me my next push. Build is on hold till I learn what his post/teaching has to do with my project.

[kiwistiller]

sorry, not a criticism of the question at all... just saying I don't know that it's playoffs... hell I don't even have a clue what sport you might be referring to.
Good question.

[pstain]

sorry, not a criticism of the question at all... just saying I don't know that it's playoffs... hell I don't even have a clue what sport you might be referring to.
Good question.

Rotflmao! Tis "Feet-bawl" season still here...you little "flight-less" bird I'll get this stuff down soon!

Gonna get spanked here....Kiwi Bird link

http://www.chemistry.co.nz/kiwibird.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[kiwistiller]

[Hawke]

The condenser should be fine at 6 to 8 inches. Loosely pack the gaps with some copper mesh/scrubbers and it will knock down just about anything you throw at it.
Keep us posted and take lots of piccies. (We like copper porn )

[pstain]

Thanks everyone for the replies. Rad got me thinking and I went back to the parent site and this here thread. http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 8#p6815424

I am thinking of a 5' packed column. Broke in half and connected with the tri-clamps that nightforce used. The upper portion stuffed with copper and the lower with SS as Mulekicker suggested.

The dualcoil/cold finger head assembly with the slant plates will also have the tri-clamp connector...this way I can eliminate the column and place the head on for a stripping run.

Nightforce said the end product was a little hot for his taste and Olddog showed his adaptaion of the Bok with a Liebig...I am thinking I will do this also.

Thanks again and any advice is appreciated.

Len

[Nightforce]

My condenser is 8¾", double, with about 1/8" between the coils. ID is 3/4", OD is 1.8" and it knocks down everything that I can put to it. Right after a run of ethanol I turned off the cooling water and removed the coil, it was only warm for about a 1/3 of the length. I'd say that your coil would be MORE than enough. I'd use less spacing between the coils, 1/8" to 3/32" should be plenty.

As for the condensate temp, it was way to high for water (some where in the 150°F range), but for ethanol it was only slightly warm, about 110°F. It wasn't hot enough to produce vapor that will condense on the sides of my erlenmeyer collection flasks.

I think the bokakob design is just about the perfect hobby still design. VM designs probably work better but the bokakob gets my vote for overall ease to build and outstanding results.

[pstain]

Thanks NF for the helpful reply and the thread of your build. ^5

[pstain]

Got the copper
3 sections of 2.5"/2.5' copper
9' of 1/4" rolled tubing

I have a pee-stain right now....

[manu de hanoi]

P1000934.jpg

Got the copper
3 sections of 2.5"/2.5' copper
9' of 1/4" rolled tubing

I have a pee-stain right now....

2.5" seems like the perfect hobby size and you got good length too +1

[piratesteve]

Hey, I like the idea for the tri clamps to bust the column down into pieces... Gonna be able to make to make the still pieces interchangeable. snap on a reflux head. switch out for a plug, and lose packing section for potstilling... I like this concept...