Cleaning run problems

[crazyk78]

Hi All,

I made one of the rad impersonated stills and tried to do a cleaning run today.

IMG_1574_2.JPG

I've got a 47" main column packed with SS scrubbers

Issues:
1/ Temperature fluctuated and was never steady even when on the same temperature setting. I have a variable temperature controller, not a thermostat on my element.
2/ When the temperature was around the 80deg C mark, I wasn't getting much vapour at all go into the head.
3/ At full heating ( 103.2 deg C ), I was able to get vapour out the top of my head. I then inserted my coil and it knocked down 100% of vapour and I got collected 40ml/minute or 240ml /hr.

Appreciate the advice anyone can give.

[Kentucky shinner]

when you run alcohol through it, you will see the temp will be more stable. You need to make sure you put some copper packing in the column.
KS

[crazyk78]

Yes I think I'm going to have to track some down.

I just went out and checked my so called SS ones and they are a little rusty..

Kentucky when you say stable, you are talking about the temperature jumping around aren't you? and if so between what range would you expect it to jump around when not running spirit?

[kiwistiller]

sare you sure about your controller? Sounds like a type of thermostat. The rest of what you said sounded normal for a water run. I'm sure rad will be along shortly to explain any design specific issues.

[crazyk78]

Hey Kiwi,

Yeah I'm sure it's not a thermostat, it's got a Triac, some resistors and a pot.

[kiwistiller]

oh cool. so it is a power controller, not a temperature controller? you're setting power input not desired temperature?

[crazyk78]

Yes exactly.

I actually got my multimeter out and measure the voltage...I think I did it right.

Funnily enough the lowest setting read 140 and the highest was 203. I guess this was Volts but thought it a bit strange considering we are on 240V.

I used the 750 setting in the AC section of the multimeter

[rad14701]

Hey, nice looking rig there, crazyk78...

First, those scrubbers aren't stainless steel... They may be SS plated, but not 100% SS...

As for the uneven temperatures, they could be caused by the scrubbers breaking down or because you were running straight water...

Another possibility is that you aren't getting a fine enough product take off adjustment with that ball valve... If you can reach equilibrium with an alcohol based wash yet can't maintain an even temperature during product take off then it would most likely be the ball valve... If that is the case then replacing it with a needle valve should cure the problem...

Yet another possibility would be if you were running the coolant through the reflux condenser the wrong way... The coolant needs to run counter-flow to the vapor, meaning that it should enter from the bottom and exit from the top... With a double helix condenser it should flow down the center coil and up the outer coil...

Also, if the reflux collection cup is too small you could end up with fluctuations...

And then there is the possibility that the thermometer is being hit by reflux rather than only being contacted by vapor... This doesn't appear to be the case based on how far you have the thermometer pushed into the column, however...

That about covers it... I'd wait until you run an alcohol based wash through it before making any major changes... Good luck...

[crazyk78]

Hi Rad

Thanks for the post. heaps of stuff for me to take away.

I'm pretty sure I ran the coolant down the centre coil out out the outer coil.

My fluid reservoir including the tube holds about 10ml of fluid.

I'll keep you posted.

I wan't to do another water run just to clean it out a bit more and try to find some copper scrubbers.

[rad14701]

That 10ml sounds a bit low... That's only 1/3 of a shot... I doubt that that amount even keeps the take off tube completely submersed as the reflux splashes down into the reservoir... Did you mean 100ml by chance because the take off tube itself appears as though it should hold roughly 30ml...

[Pikluk]

insulating the column could help too.

[crazyk78]

Rad,

No it is 10ml...oooh that's going to be a bugger to fix! Damn stainless

I'm going to give it a spirit run and see what happens before I do any mods.

Yes I was thinking of insulating as well. Need to do a bit of research on where I can get the stuff.

Thanks guys.

[rad14701]

Give it a try as-is ad see what happens... It just mght work better than I'm thinking it will... Let's hope it does...

If it proves problematic you could always attempt to slip a snug fitting bushing over what little throat is sticking up in an effort to increase the reservoir volume... I'm guessing an extra 15mm - 20mm in height judging from the picture... If over isn't an option the inside would be the way to go... Don't go grinding and cutting up what you have if you can avoid doing so...

[Pikluk]

for insulation cheap way to do it a big towel or i heard cardboard is pretty good too.
can always get the thick black rubbery foam make sure you don't get the one for cold pipe.
im sure there other stuff but a towel is kinda cheap and will last a long time.

[crazyk78]

Thanks Pik, that's a pretty good idea. And I guess a few zip ties to hold it there will do the trick.

Cheers