Well I guess seeing as this is the novice bit and that is me I will report on what I am finding after doing much reading on many different sites and here. I guess my brain is on overload - too many bloody designs and having only seen one actually working - CM Reflux SS Column - I admit I am a bit stumped.
A few things crop up that I think are idiosyncrasies of me rather than issue with a device type - having to have 2 devices (potentially) to do pot and reflux as separate units. I understand there are designs that can be detuned - but it appears so far at least my understanding is that you want flavours - use a pot still - best unit for the job - you want high %ABV you go a good refux design. Neither of which I have a problem with - just I may want to eventually do some of both - more than likely in fact.
I am one of those idiots that likes knobs to turn and things to fart about with to make it just right for me (apart from turning on and off of water taps). I am beginning to get very annoyed at my lack of hands on expertise where the fabrication of these devices comes in. Could I build one - bugger all chance. Could I understand how all the bits are supposed to fit - yes. But again I am just learning enough to know what would very quickly piss me off on some of the functional inadequacies of some designs I have seen. Stuffing about with water flow rates being one issue I have already dealt with - only with partial success - and it shits me. Has to be an easier - well more EFFICIENT process than what I have experienced so far - albeit that I know that system is a long way from being right.
In terms of a still build for myself - as an exercise in being a pain in the ass.
Low water usage - or a air cooled passive design.
Hybrid device - can accomplish both pot and reflux with as minimal alteration to the device as possible. removal of column fillers etc turning of valves? Best case.
Due to temp changes here accuracy based solely on water cooling is no good. Other "tweaks" need to be able to be accomplished. Such as an example - thermostat/temp controlled boiler. Not sure how this would be economically achieved.
Keep output as good and clean as possible by using proper wash. Minimal if any use of carbon.
Proper attention obviously to the safety and sterility of all parts and equipment used including product input and output.
Space concern - as size of unit.
Location for the operation of still and secure non visible site. Nosy bastard neighbours not making unwanted calls to certain people.
Time to operate - not a factor.
Size, cooling and security are I think the 3 major functional issues that need to be addressed - even before type of still - because the first 3 govern the choice of potential device designs.
As an exercise in a secure apparatus - I do like the IDEA of the Air Still design as a concept - even though the functional limitations are quite pronounced. The Mr Distiller design with boiler temp control did seem to be a 2nd generation attempt to make a workable device - beyond the original povo water distiller idea. The design of the type is very simple - boiler - domed "bowl" - vapour path hole - vapour coil - outlet - bloody big fan on top. Replace boiler with stock pot with a temp regulated electric input and you have the first part of a sized up unit - no flames - no potential disaster of fire. Not sure how to get a good seal with the lid - unless using the dough stuff. Have to locate a bowl that is right diameter. Drill a hole - even a dumb ass like me could manage that. The cooling is still a bit of a issue - I am thinking of a fan based cooler mounted partway down the "coil" to encourage condensation - if using a non water based process. If water I would get a bucket and mount the damn thing in a bucket - trying to estimate heat loss by length of copper tubing and submerged in water - coil of copper in a tight spiral - just inside the diameter of the bucket. Bucket of water I can deal with - vast liters of it I cannot.
This above design - well conglomeration of parts - addresses potentially the volume limitation of the Airstill devices. Temp control even though not as accurate as I would like is better than none at all. Mounting a column type of device to this could be possible with more know how than I have. Copper coil for vapour path should not be too much an issue - even though I have stuff all idea of an adequate mounting to be used between domed lid and the coil.
Should hold 10-12Ltr of wash - depending on unit able to be acquired. does spirit react with an aluminium base? certainly would not use a non stick surface. SS would be preferable with temp control admittedly - for this application.
Covers the security issue. Cant get done for having a stock pot. Covers the water management/useage - or none if fan cooled - but bucket sounds easier - no power loss. I guess the problem is would it work? Are there so many flaws in the concept to be too stupid to be bothered with. I can picture it in my head - and see what it should do as a sized up version of the airstill. Admittedly with the output of a pot still in terms of %ABV. If I could pull 50% spirit out of that - from a nice clean wash. I think that would be pretty good - if it worked. Even doing multiple strip and spirit runs.
Plus even if it is no good as anything else it makes a large format water distiller.
Someone round here must have a bit of an idea if such a concept is the rantings of a looney.
Best I can think of - and probably done 1000 times before - I just have not seen a picture of one. Well I guess it is the electric version of the old pressure cooker setup.
Feel free to call me a dumb bastard if needed. My version of what I would be happy with I think is very different from what some of you would think of as waste of space.
It does however solve 1 potential thing - it would give me a pot still and my mate the CM Reflux. best of both worlds. if it worked.
Let me know what you reckon including telling me to stick the stock pot on my head and the bowl and coil up my a - i mean nose.
LM