Help With Pot still Ideas

[O'Mahony]

Even though I am still in the process of getting my reflux column running, I would like to start laying out a Pot Still head and lyne arm for my milk can. My questions are;

1) Any advantage to using 3” diameter copper in lieu of 2”
2) Considering a height of about 18” tall (any advantages to more or less height) ???
3) Lyne Arm length ??? I want to anneal, cut and taper a piece of copper pipe to accept a 1/2” discharge
4) Condenser o/a length needed to knock down vapor? 1/2” discharge tubing would seem to dictate a Liebig style condenser.

I want to miter the lyne arm to the riser pipe by joining the two pieces with a 45 degree solder joint. Any advantage to a slight downward tilt to the lyne arm instead of 90 degree?

I do realize that pot still seem to be forgiving in their build styles, I would like to try to do a nice job and maximize the build. Opinions, advise and comments appreciated, O'Mahony

[SIXFOOTER]

Well, here is mu .02 or less;
1. A larget diameter column will run faster
2. Dunno about the height, but 18 sounds like a good number, but there is probably some science in there somewhere
3. No idea, probably more science in the Build section
4. same deal

I have thought about a slip fit for the Lyne arm connection to the still head, it would make adjustment easy, a little teflon tape would make a good seal.

[rubber duck]

1. bigger =faster.

2. 18in is what I run, there is no rule just build it to suit your work space.

3. Again no rule but a slow taper is better, if you reduce to quickly it will cause choking. Also the longer the taper arm the more passive reflux you can achieve if it's angled slightly up rather then down.

4. Your putting a lot of time and money into this, so if your going to run a liebig go 3/4in and 2ft minimum. That will knock down anything you can through at it.

A slightly down angle will give you slightly more flavor. If your going to be doing slow single runs I would go slightly up. Double runs down or 90.

[O'Mahony]

Guys, thank you for the input, puts me another rung up the ladder.

Sixfooter, interesting idea to be able to adjust lyne arm height.............hmmm

Rubber Duck, so, the product discharge thru a 3/4” tube? So would a cooling jacket over the 3/4” tube of say 1 1/4” diameter be appropriate?

I am thinking of a lyne arm length of 24” o/a? My initial consideration of a 1/2” vapor discharge tube was a consideration for speed, I like the thought of 3/4” discharge. Trying to miter lyne arm to pot riser and the taper of the lyne arm itself ought to be interesting (smile) I love working copper (pipe fitter) so well see, saves buying fittings plus some craft......I guess.

My initial dream of stilling was to build a Pot Still turnip with some traditional character, something I still hope to take on one day. I love good whiskey,....... did I say I love good whiskey!!! O'Mahony

[rubber duck]

3/4 product tube 1in outer sleeve, your going to get plenty of thermal transfer with that setup but you could wrap the 3/4in pipe with some copper wire for turbulence.

3/4in is faster.

[LWTCS]

3/4in is faster.

And likely no huffing either.