Does anybody have experience with this attached design? My question relates to the overflow of this design. It would seem that if the condenser shell was a slip fit to the reducer, that un-soldered joint would be a source of leaks?
This design shows the top of the column (overflow) above the top edge of the reducer. If the top of the column were shortened to a point below the reducers top edge, the condenser coil would not physically contact the column. I'm assuming that the condensate following the condenser coil to the collection reservoir is the intent of the design? Maybe the condensate would find it's way into the collection reservoir without the coil's physical contact to the top of the column?
The attached drawing shows 2 red arrows pointing to potential locations for drilled holes for a condensate drain back to the column. This would allow the condenser coil to physically contact the top of the column. Maybe I am worrying about nothing and should trim column height to below the top edge of the reducer? Opinions much are appreciated. O'Mahony
Last edited by O'Mahony on Sun Aug 08, 2010 3:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.
That is just one of the many designs sketched by Bokakob but I am not aware of it having ever been built and tested... There are much less complex and more efficient designs available, including the Bokakob dual slant plate reflux column design... Or the two reducer design similar to another of Bokakobs which is what my still is based on... Well, in all actuality, mine is built based on the Charles 803 styling, but not its functionality...
As for that joint you are concerned with, if the unsoldered joint is lower than the overflow reflux tube it will leak at that point... My still has that unsoldered joint above the reflux overflow and it leaks like a sieve whenever the reflux head floods... The fit is too tight to try using teflon tape even if I was comfortable using it...
My best advice is to steer clear of that particular design, at least until you have successfully built and run a tried and true design... That design would be way down on my list of possible builds...
P.S. Please reduce the size of the image in your post...
Rad, thank you for the reply. I hadn't considered the possibility of it being an untested design. I'm commited to trying the design, seeing how it is all but completed. I will drill the holes in an effort to reestablish drain height below the top edge of the reducer. I am so much enjoying myself with this realm that a bit of trial and error is ok by me. I will post photos of the column in its current uncompleted form in the "first" category. O'Mahony
Just qurious, where does it say that joint isn't soldered? And isn't the the coil dipped into the reservoar to also cool the alcohol? Eliminating the need of a separate cooler on the outtake?
Rad, my collection reservoir will hold 100 ml to the bottom of my proposed new drain holes. I do have some ideas for some potential design flaws? Any rate, I will put some time into this design to try to determine its viability.
Caprimulgus, I suppose I could sweat the condenser shell to the reducer, but I want to be able to clean out the condenser and collection reservoir. I also built this column to take down to three pieces, the condenser being the third piece. So if I sort out this design it will be with a slip fit condenser.
Kentucky Shiner, very cool animation! That sure saves words and explanation. I do feel that I’ve a grasp on theory for the various designs, just no practical experience. That is about to change though (smile). I may just have a slant plate in my near future?
I will post my efforts and results connected to running and hopefully sorting out this design. Thank you guys, Cheers O’Mahony
I've never seen that design before but I was originally following a very similar one in my build, have changed it now but still alot of the key features..
My cooling coil was going to be inside a 4" bit of pipe, and double wound, with a length of maybe 7", but probably a pretty similar surface area/volume ratio. I'm going with a flat disc on the bottom for the condensate to pool up in, because 2" - 4" reducers are 70mm long which seemed pretty excessive unfortunately. The take off will come straight out the bottom of that disc. The 2" on mine will penetrate maybe 7 - 10mm into the column - and probably won't have any contact at all with the coil - is that a prob, do you reckon? There's a separate product condenser as well. My head won't be removeable, also. Glad to see someone going with a similar-ish design, so bizarre that this design was floating around on the net and I hadn't even seen it.. I'll send ya some pics of mine when I get home tonight and see if you've got any thoughts on it
Rad - you seem pretty anti on trying new designs - why is that? Surely if nobody tried new stuff things would take along time to figure out?
Manback wrote:Rad - you seem pretty anti on trying new designs - why is that?
Not sure where that idea came from... I try new things all the time in every aspect of my life, not just in this hobby... I guess you've kinda mis-judged me, perhaps because you haven't been around here all that long and don't know me personally...
What I do try to do, however, is to keep folks from making costly and time consuming mistakes... That carries over from my everyday real life job, and real life in general...
In another topic, in the past day or so, I stated "Build it..." when someone had new idea... Guess I'm not as closed minded as you think...
your wrong rad is the man
he help so many people in here you should not talk bad about the rad.
he's a genius.. some might say
its just that you could build this " http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =17&t=5829 " that do the same thing
but a lot easier to build.(and cheaper) and its tried and true.
the design you posted do the same thing just more complicated for nothing.
so why build something that might be equal but untested ... btw theres no way it could be better just might be equal.
ok maybe not for nothing might look cooler or special :p .
The more you read the more you learn.
The more you learn the more you realize you don't know shit
The only mod I can suggest is to close off the bottom of the center pipe/jacket/hollow insert inside the condenser coil. This will force all vapors to go up more intimately through the coil between the two walls and it will remain open to the atmosphere.
I use a collar collection dam similar to your design, but have a hat over the center portion to ensure all condensates are directed into the collar. Haveing some of the coils inside the dam is a good thing as explained in the notes on your design, namely the output will be cooler.
Manback,.....I would be curious as to what you started to build and what that has evolved into. Are either on the designs one of the Boka drawings in the "Equipment" menu of the home page? Maybe some variation of design? Post a drawing or sketch if you have the time..............Interesting.
Ayay,.....I have some idea's for redirecting the condensate into the collection reservoir if too much condensate is directed off the coil/cold finger straight back down the column. Sounds like the function of the "Hat" you mentioned on your rig? O'Mahony
All condensates should be directed into the resevoir. From the resevoir some will be tapped off accordin to your input and the remainder will go back down the column.
It does work if most of the condensates are directed or overflows straight down, but then you have less controll over the whole process. Your control is how much is tapped off.
Manback wrote:Rad - you seem pretty anti on trying new designs - why is that?
What I do try to do, however, is to keep folks from making costly and time consuming mistakes... That carries over from my everyday real life job, and real life in general...
This philosophy is especially good for folks new to the hobby who could use a nice success their first times. A little confidence under your belt and better working knowledge of distillation and then the sky is the limit. I find it kind of sad when someone builds an old design and then everyone tells them its an old design and that they could do so much better if they built XXX design.
Rad's just trying to save folks that dissapointment.
ScottishBoy
HD Survival in a Nutshell...
Read.Search.Listen.Ask for feedback, you WILL get it. Plastic is always "questionable". Dont hurry. Be Careful. Dont Sell,Tell, or Yell. If you wouldnt serve it to your friends, then it isnt worth keeping.
Manback wrote:Rad - you seem pretty anti on trying new designs - why is that?
What I do try to do, however, is to keep folks from making costly and time consuming mistakes... That carries over from my everyday real life job, and real life in general...
This philosophy is especially good for folks new to the hobby who could use a nice success their first times. A little confidence under your belt and better working knowledge of distillation and then the sky is the limit. I find it kind of sad when someone builds an old design and then everyone tells them its an old design and that they could do so much better if they built XXX design.
Rad's just trying to save folks that dissapointment.
+1 SB... Rad among others soon pointed me in the right direction regarding still design. Saved me spending too much $$$ on costly copper.
When I actually came to the building stage of my chosen design everything just fell into place on the various parts of the assembly.
Thats down to confidence that was gained here on HD by Rad, Hook and others. I had no problems with the build and success quickly
followed when learning the art of driving my new rig...
My only comment on that design is:
I would drill a hole in the "overflow" riser that big enough to insert a 1/2" copper pipe with open ends in.
Then I would drill a 1/4" hole in the midpoint of the 1/2" pipe on the bottom.
This would allow my reflux to drop back down the column in the center not run down the outside as this design would
Daddy used, to say " Any landing you can walk away from is a good one"
Calculations don't mean shit when compared to the real world practical experience of many...RAD 9/2010
