Still with bubble plates

[rednose]

how would it be if I used acetylene torch and used hard silver solder?

That's it for everything else but the caps.

We solder them soft to get 'em off easily if ever needed.

[rednose]

Ok, ready.

This version has the liquid level 2mm raised (in relation to mine) as you will have more turbulences in a 4 incher than a 6 incher as the caps have less space between 'em.

All measurements are in mm.

You can cut the caps 6 mm deap with a saw or small high speed disk for the vapor release if that is easier for you.

Well, I finished my Rum run and have to go now, let me know if you have any question.

Joe

[LWTCS]

Joe are you using copper caps?

I bet if you extended the fill tubes upwards 4x or 5x the current length and used a taller (heavier) cap, you would not need to solder.


Bet that rascal would jingle and jangle real nice during your runs.

Prolly git it to play "Dixie"

I thought I remembered you had these fabricated already?

[rednose]

Joe are you using copper caps?


I thought I remembered you had these fabricated already?

Yes Larry, I use copper caps. it's the only copper part in all my still.

Yup I already made them in 6 inch (the twins in my avatar) and use them daily, this special design was made for Kentucky as he wants to built a 4 incher.

I'm with a similar plan (4" vodka still) but using only one cap per plate.

This isn't prooved till now, that's why I recommend the multiple cap design.

I have too many stuff to do with the permits actually to start a new built right now.

Putting weight will raise the column high and Kentucky has only 25" which is enough if you fix the caps.

In this country it's very difficult to count with time, yesterday they told us we will graduate as artisanes on this saturday, today they say it will be end of september, I'm a little pissed as I wanna be in the x-mas market with our products and time will be short.

Next month is the most important exibition of ecuatorian products, EXPO 2010 and I wanted to participate but with the todays news it's impossible.

Well......

[rad14701]

Wow wow and wow, I just read through this whole thread and I am impressed to say the least!

You didn't think we were just a bunch of toothless podunks making rotgut with a rusty re-purposed oil drum did you...??? This is where all of the new ideas come from, not from modern day distilleries where experimentation is frowned upon due to legal constraints... Not that everything we do around here is new... Improved might be a better word, perhaps...

[LWTCS]

Say that again Joe.

Single floating bubble cap is proven for a while now.

Or did I misunderstand you.

[Samohon]

Nice work Joe...

[rednose]

Say that again Joe.

Single floating bubble cap is proven for a while now.

Or did I misunderstand you.

Yes Larry, you missunderstood.

It's not a floating cap like you use in the humper thumper, it's a technic from the petro industry.

You will know what I mean when I come up with it.

Actually I don't have enough time to start a built but already have the plans and material.

This built will incorporate a lot of machinwork but I have all at the hand.

Joe

[rednose]

There are frequently ongoing topics about good or bad seals in HD.

I already mentioned in the sight glass topic that I use this teflon band for all my pressure fittings.

It's a soft teflon string which, in case that you can't get it, can be made by yourself, it's priced around 40 USD.

Get 5 or more (depends on the thickness you want for the seal) teflon rolls and knot them together at the begining.

Than use a piece of cable to fix the knot to a hand drill.

The rolls have to be set on a piece of wood and a nail in the center.

Than start the drill and you will have a multiple teflon band when the rolls finished.

Joe

Chesterton 2.4mm X 15.3 m teflon seal

tdms3500_EN.pdf

Valvelon data sheet

(78.19 KiB) Downloaded 508 times

[Kentucky shinner]

great Idea Joe, that should work great.

[rednose]

I discarded the idea to build a new vodka still in 4” but I can use some material for the shotgun condenser I will need.

I will go for a 9 plated bubble column in 8 inch.

The column and bubble plates will be copper, the shotgun dephlagmator and condenser in SS.

The boiler will be made in 3mm SS

The boiler will be 1000 Ltr max charge and flat shaped to have enough vapor pushed up.

The heat source will be diesel; I already purchased a Beckett burner 3 gal/min 100 PSI, which should do the job.

I expect 6 to 8 gal/h with this setup on a ABV above 90% in hearts.

I have enough heat to feed another (double) column if I’m not fine with the first results.

Maybe I can add a vacuum pump in the future to save some energy but I’m not 100% clear jet how these vacuum stills work on cuts and that is very important to have a high quality product.

The hot cooling water will pass after the dephlagmator to a worm in SS bucket filled with material for the next batch to preheat it, that could vaporize the first nasties a bit as well.

The still will be computerized, I mean it will have bells and rings when a certain temp is reached in the still head or in the cooling water for security and cut warnings during the run as the to be distilled product will always be the same.

The still will be used to rectify crude sugar cane liquor at 40% ABV.

I have to see how to finance this project as many other circumstances play a roll like enough cooling water (might have to drill a well) and stocking the likker to age it for some weeks.


I know that this still isn’t home use anymore, neither the twins are, but it might inspire someone to scale it down to the actual home built standard, the 4 inchers.

Sourcing all needed parts will take some time

1000 Ltr SS boiler

[Kentucky shinner]

That would really make a nice bioler scaled down to about 100 liter.

[rednose]

Here you go Kentucky, it's 127 Ltr, I used the complete lenght of a SS sheet => 2.44 / pi = 77cm

The blue part is the max charge.

127 Ltr boiler

[Kentucky shinner]

Hey man thats great thanks.. I will copy this into my file of wishes...They may be my next prject..
I assume these measurements in CM?
KS

[rednose]

Yeah, all numbers in Cm.

Would make a nice addition to your pool area with a brick insulation.

When you don't use it you can tarn it as a solar powered water fountain or just put a pot with flowers on top.

[ScottishBoy]

Yeah, all numbers in Cm.

Would make a nice addition to your pool area with a brick insulation.

When you don't use it you can tarn it as a solar powered water fountain or just put a pot with flowers on top.

With some creative brickwork, and a near watertight door, you could disguise it as an outdoor oven...maybe even make a functional outdoor oven and still combo...oh dear..the wheels are turning.

[olddog]

I will go for a 9 plated bubble column in 8 inch.The column and bubble plates will be copper, the shotgun dephlagmator and condenser in SS.

I am looking forward to see this one Joe, are you going to post some pics?


OD

[rednose]

I am looking forward to see this one Joe, are you going to post some pics?


OD

Sure I will, but it might take some time to start with as I already mentioned.

The hardest thing is the financial part as I'm in the process to start working in the distillery (wanna be in the x-mas biz) and that takes some bucks for public relation, storage, bottles etc.

I finished the counts and the hole project with cooling source, waste water discharge and all other needed stuff will be around 25K.

The diesel burner arrived today but that was a great oportunity, I would have bought it anyways.

Maybe I sell a piece of land what I don't use at the moment.

[rednose]

I’m officially licensed now, hurray.

There is a small paperwork still pendent, the analysis of my first official liquors, whisky and a Pernod like anis drink. This is made in the health ministry and gives green light to sell it nationwide, will take a month or so more.

Joe

[Usge]

Congrats Rednose!

[Kentucky shinner]

congratulations Joe.. I know you must be beaming with joy...
KS

[rednose]

Thanks folks for the greatings

The truth is that not too much changed as you can distill for your own use as you like to, just for selling official you need to be licenced.

That made it easy to learn and having folks tasting the booze, even the Mayor of the town gave me a clap on the shoulder when he tried my whiskey.

I would like to see that one day you all can make your own likker without having fear that a cop is behind you.

I wouldn't be where I am now if I didn't find this site and all the helpful minds here.

Thanks again all, I will try to give something back in the future as I have done before.

LicensedHappyJoe

[olddog]

Congratulations Joe, it must be a happy day.


OD

[blind drunk]

Way to go ... Joe. bd.

[rednose]

Thanks OD and BD.

The real challange is still waiting for me, to stay alive in the market after a while.

Anyhow I invited some friends to celebrate later at night, would love to have you folks with me.

Joe

[blind drunk]

Hey, we're there in spirit bd.

[LWTCS]

Indeed Joe.
Congratulations.

Hope you do very well and and can create a win win for your customers and your venders.

[JethroBodine]

Congratulations Joe!! Hopefully me too by next summer.

[ScottishBoy]

I’m officially licensed now, hurray.

Joe

Excellent! So how does it feel to be a legal beagle?

[guittarmaster]

Congrats Rednose!

Been reading this thread off and on for a while and gotta say... I cannot wait to order a bottle! Good luck.

GM