Hello I'm new to distilling and I want to build my first still. I wanted to check to make sure this design would work efficiently, its just a copy of a Reflux still but I changed it a little just to tinker. I would use 4' of 2" copper pipe for the column with copper scrubbers as packing. 2" for the outside pipe on the two condensers. The condenser at the top of the column to allow some vapors to condense then pass back down into the pot to be distilled again. Then 1" or 3/4" for the vapor path through the condensers and to the parrot. A Valve between the parrot and condenser that can be opened to allow the methanol to be drained down before it gets to the parrot.
I would like some input on the design would it work or would it not?
Would the condenser at the top of the column impede with the process or benefit it at all?
Are the Pipe sizes for the still safe and efficient?
Any improvements to add that would make it better?
I wanted to check to make sure this design would work efficiently
No not efficiently. Work yes. Just not very good. It's a take on a cm still. Cooling management. And the cm design is not considered an efficient design. And by changing it you have made it worse.
Now you won't want to hear this. But just learning this new hobby is not the best time to try to build an experimental still. No need in trying to build a better wheel. Build a know good design. Use it to learn how to run a still and make a good product. Then after you have a better understanding about it. Maybe designed and build a better wheel.
What kind of product are you wanting to make with this still? Neutral? Or something else?
I wanted to check to make sure this design would work efficiently
No not efficiently. Work yes. Just not very good. It's a take on a cm still. Cooling management. And the cm design is not considered an efficient design. And by changing it you have made it worse.
Now you won't want to hear this. But just learning this new hobby is not the best time to try to build an experimental still. No need in trying to build a better wheel. Build a know good design. Use it to learn how to run a still and make a good product. Then after you have a better understanding about it. Maybe designed and build a better wheel.
What kind of product are you wanting to make with this still? Neutral? Or something else?
Im just looking to make neutrals. I already have a dual purpose column from milehidistilling that im using right now. I was mainly just wanting to tinker with copper I have a bunch of it laying around from an old plumbing project. What would be a good design to follow? I dont want something to simple that I can finish in a day.
If you already have a MH still. You already have one that would out perform your drawing. And if you haven't already checked it out. Click on the cm mod link in my signature.
If your wanting to make neutrals only. I would look at a VM or a VM/LM combo.
Or build a inline thumper or bubble ball to put under your mile high rig. Search for my bubble bumper experiment. By adding a plate under your MH rig. It will improve the output and speed it up by as much as 3 times.
