Thump Tower Concept

[LWTCS]

Can we move (Starting with rednose's) the related posts from my Orb 3.0 thread to here?

This is what I came up with as I can execute this build and keep my cost down (I think).

Rad, I'm thinking downcomers through the side to reduce the likelyhood of passive vapor transfer.

[olddog]

That would work, as long as you can put some stop plates in the center tube for each thumper to prevent the vapor going straight through.

OD

[LWTCS]

That would work, as long as you can put some stop plates in the center tube for each thumper to prevent the vapor going straight through.

Thats how the orb is done. I trace the outside of a fitting on to a peice of flat stock and cut out with sheet metal snips. The disk ends up slightly oversized.
Then I just press the (diverter) disk into position with a smaller stick of copper and use the 1 inch drilled holes within the "column" to apply heat and wick some solder into place to seal the joint.

[olddog]

There you go, Get building Larry.

[LWTCS]

Easy for you to say.
I was saved by closing time at the supply house today.
I was on my way to get some pricing after this afternoon's volly of ideas.

You trouble makers got me all jacked up on this thing ( as this was my original "final mod") but I couldn't see in my mind how to simplify the build.

Now you jokers have just mashed up my budget,,,,,,,,,,,again

I'd like to hear more dialog about the downcomers however.

[olddog]

As long as the downcomers feed below the charge height of the recieving boiler, they will work OK, this will prevent vapor bypass, and prevent each section overfilling. But you might need another one with an S bend to return the bottom one back to the boiler, similar to the tails return on my Twins.


OD

[LWTCS]

As long as the downcomers feed below the charge height of the recieving boiler, they will work OK, this will prevent vapor bypass, and prevent each section overfilling. But you might need another one with an S bend to return the bottom one back to the boiler, similar to the tails return on my Twins.

Yeah, thats what I was thinking. And in my opinion (at this point), the return line to the boiler is the most challenging and perhaps the most important on more than one level.

Never thought my thumper would flood (Dnder told me so),,,,,,,it did .

Then there is set up and clean up run after run. So an easy, dependable and durable solution will be requisite.

[blanikdog]

Gotta admire you blokes. Allus in there thinking, devising and improving our craft. Go for it Larry, OD will help with ideas and I'll help with moral support.

blanik

[LWTCS]

Gotta dawn your red cheer leading skirt..........Promise me

[olddog]

Yeah, thats what I was thinking. And in my opinion (at this point), the return line to the boiler is the most challenging and perhaps the most important on more than one level.

That's easy, just make your downcomers from 3/8" copper that can be formed easy, and return it via an S bend to the base of your 2" column. All of the downcomers working will limit the height of the thumper charge and return any excess back to the boiler. And prevent surging.

OD

[LWTCS]

To the column and not the boiler?

[olddog]

Yes the base of the column close to where it attaches to the boiler.

OD

[LWTCS]

That will simplify the logistic issues of banging and clanging my boiler round the shop.

[blanikdog]

It's a promise. Vonnie bought a new Rock n Roll dress just yesterday and.................it's red. I look good in it, goes well with the white beard.

blanik

[MashMan]

Please correct me iff i'm wrong but won't this be a bitch to get any liguid out of after a run? and with the continuos 2" with inlet and outlet ports/holes, blocked off between each, won't you get liquid build up below the outlet port? or is this a desirable part of the design?

MM.

[LWTCS]

won't you get liquid build up below the outlet port? or is this a desirable part of the design?

Yes desirable. Potstilled flavor profile with a crisp bit of abv is what we are shooting for.
And for lack of a better word,,,,,,,,,,,"single run".

This particular diagram depicts 3 thumpers with fill/drain ports for each chamber.

Chamber 1: wash
Chamber 2:necter
Chamber 3:water
Or any number of combinations.

[olddog]

There would be a charge and drain port on each stage. Would be simply hosed out. And the downcomers in each section would limit the charge level returning the surplus back to the previous level and eventually back to the boiler.

OD

[LWTCS]

Also, If one had the budget, one could separate each stage with a union or tri-clamp.

I will (at some point in my budget ) assemble the one peice unit as I fear I would need the extra strenth. My condenser is a heavy bastard.

[rednose]

Now that's an interesting built, I'm shure it will work.

The sugar cane folks here use those heads, but just a single one and get to 65% hearts.

Here are the pics I posted in the ORB thread:

[LWTCS]

Thanks for posting that again. Helps to see variations on the concept.

[rednose]

Here the sugar cane still, sorry for the quality but will make better ones soon.

To get an idea of the dimensions:

The boilers are about 500 ltr, the columns are about 10" diameter.

[MashMan]

Hi guys, when I said "won't you get liquid build up below the outlet port? or is this a desirable part of the design?"
I was talking about inside the 2" tube below the outlet port, above the plate dividing inlet and outlet.

MM.

[olddog]

I can't comment on that MM as my design was slightly different, LW wanted to keep the center tube as one piece th add to the structural strength of the column, but I cannot see any problem as it would be vapor travelling up that tube not liquid, and if some of the vapor condensed in that tube, the liquid would return once it reached the height of the hole.
Thinking about it a bit more, any liquid that accumulates in that section would be vaporised from the heat of the rising steam beneath.

OD

[LWTCS]

Oh, Ok. I understand your question better.

Your observation is based on the fact that my drawing is,,,,,,,,,,,irregularly,,,,not to scale,,,,and then some.

The deverter disk within the 2" column should be positioned as close to the base of the outlet hole(s) as possible. My drawing does not acurately depict that. Sorry.

Thermal transfer is very good with the one peice column riser. And like Olddog, I suspect any condensing would be negligable. In fact, I am wondering (based on my sizing) if the liquid chambers within the tower will be too hot and vaporize all the thumper juice because thermal transfer is too good?? Hmmm?

Similar to your observation Mashman, the chambers in my orb are set up to promote pooling. I run water through a jacketed chamber that encases the orb. This is an effort to create pooling. Then the condensate gets reheated and vaporizes again up and out.

Some would say this process can leave nasties behind to get concentrated and increase the likelihood of poor tasting distillate.
I on the other hand would say that nasties in this instance should be refered to as congeners. And congeners are what all potstillers are after.

So my taste buds have been happy with the process so far.

But the orb is not a true thumper's vapor path like the thump tower.
I suspect this thump tower,,,,,,appliance will out perform the orb by a long shot. Especially after the vapor has already been pushed through the Humper Thumper.

Man I'm never gonna save any money

[LWTCS]

Got a deal on 4" DWV today.
9' stick for 5 bucks a foot. I'm so tickled that I couldn't help it when I pee'd on myself .

Also picked up some fittings. I will manufacture the end caps/ chamber dividers from some sheet copper.

Can all you folks weigh in on how much liquid per each stage/chamber will be preferable?
I am pretty sure I'm gonna set this tower on top of the Humper Thumper.

[olddog]

Got a deal on 4" DWV today.

Whats DWV

Can all you folks weigh in on how much liquid per each stage/chamber will be preferable?

Looking at the thumper on my frankenstill, which is 8" diameter by 12" tall, I would envisage this being able to accomodate 2 chambers, a third chamber added to this would make it 18" tall. I would consider this to be a good size for both assembly ease, and would give a reasonable size for use.


OD

[LWTCS]

DWV is a thinner walled copper that typically gets used for drains. But its pretty stout.

I would consider this to be a good size for both assembly ease, and would give a reasonable size for use.

Me too. Cept I'm using the 4" for the outer wall.
My thinking was that each chamber should hold about 400 to 500 ml. Any more volume and I don't think I can get down inside the cylinder to solder the chamber seperation plates.

[olddog]

I think you original concept of size and proportion was about right with a couple of small modifications. I personally think that 4" could be a bit small, by the time you get a 2" to 3" reducer in there, it will only leave 1/2" gap between that and the outer wall.
I would consider getting 3 SS saucepans and attach the base of the pan into the top lip of the pan beneath and then attach a lid or plate on the one on the top, and run your assembly through a two inch hole made in the center of each pan.

The 4" would make a nice plated column though.

OD

[rad14701]

Drain Waste Vent

[olddog]

Drain Waste Vent

This is done with plastic tubing in OZ.