Condenser over plates?

[CaptSammy]

Would installing a condenser head above a series of plates be the same as having a Dephlegmater, or would you need both? Just thinking about installing a condenser head above a series of StillDragon bubble T's and a StillDragon Dephlegmater. This is more of a learning machine, it would allow me to play with several options from the same still. I believe it could do:

Pot still config with detuned and Dephlegmater not running and output wide open
Packed and reflux with the output set for reflux
Plate still config with the head detuned
Possibly plate config with reflux in the head as well

Or would the Dephlegmater be totally redundant?

[heartcut]

A dephlegmater is a reflux condenser that the vapor has to go through on it's way out. You probably only need one unless you feel like playing with above/ below the vapor takeoff configurations.

[Condensifier]

Some thoughts, as a plated still you would have the reflux condenser (deflegamator?) running for the initial reflux of 30 minutes to an hour then you would adjust the cooling to it and the product condenser to achieve the abv you want. If you make the plate tree removable you could pack the column for a cleaner product. You would be running like a flute. Have you read the flute thread in the Column Distillation Design forum? There's a lot of good info in that thread.

As a pot still just run the column without plates or packing and only use the product condenser.

You should also read up on Mr. P's still. It has a lot of the things you mentioned.

Here's his Bubble Bumper thread:http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 17&t=29940

Here's his CM, VM, LM thread:http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21268

Both good reads. A person can learn a lot from them.

[buckwild1]

good reads there

[CaptSammy]

Thanks for the reads, yet more rabbit holes to climb down. I love this site. I started down the "Sweet Feed" thread, took three days of reading but all good! I wish I had metal skills, ya'lls stills are incredible. It looks like I could retain the Dephleg to control the plates and the Head Condenser to control the product take of or even further reflux over a possibly mesh packed section, and many experiments with all the options.

[Prairiepiss]

You don't need a second condenser. The dephlegmater is all you will need. You should go read the flute talk thread. Maybe it will help you understand more about plated columns.

[CaptSammy]

Just to clarify: if I am running a condenser in the head of a column, I can close down the output and cause reflux down to the plates below, without a specific Dephleg immediately above the plates, i.e. the head condenser may be 12-24 inches above the top plate.

[Prairiepiss]

Just to clarify: if I am running a condenser in the head of a column, I can close down the output and cause reflux down to the plates below, without a specific Dephleg immediately above the plates, i.e. the head condenser may be 12-24 inches above the top plate.

I think you are cornfusing more then one still design as they can work the same?

A dephlegmater is used on a cm still. It is what controls the output. There in no valve on the output. This could potential create a pressure bomb. There is however a valve on the water supply to or from the dephlegmater. This is how you control it open it up all the way so you get as much cooling water to flow through it. This will cause 100% reflux. Now as you close that cooling water valve the flow slows and you get less cooling. So vapors start to pass through it to the takeoff. Less cooling faster takeoff more cooling slower takeoff.

Sounds like you are mixing up a LM or VM with the cm? An LM and VM are different beasts. They don't use a dephlegmater. They use a reflux condenser that is vented to atmosphere. And cooling flow is not adjusted. It on all the time. Knocking down all vapors all the time.

Did you read the flute talk thread? It sounds like you really need to. Yes its long. But what you will learn from it is priceless.

Also find the threads about the differences in reflux designs. New distiller reading lounge and or novice sections. So you will know the differences between the different designs. Some parts can be mixed together. If done correctly. But if done incorrectly it can pose a serious safety hazard.

[CaptSammy]

I am starting that read, but it's going to take a while.

In essence I want four StillDragon bubble T's with plates with a copper solution attached above, like a Boka or Rainier still on top.

Reasons:
I LOVE the looks of the StillDragons bubbles with SGK and the modularity of them.
I kinda want to be able to run it in Pot Still mode, and to do so the plates are removed, and they are the only copper in the system.
I want to add in copper for those Pot Still days without having two separate heads, and some nice copper porn.
I dont have metal skills. I might be able to build a Boka to go on top with guidance from the stickies here.
I am not going into the biz, so something steampunky and aesthetically nice sounds the ticket.

I thought a Rainier head on top, I guess vented, would knock down 100% reflux to the plates below when closed, and I could open the output to collect product I guess reducing reflux.

[Prairiepiss]

If you put a LM or VM on top of the plates leave the dephlegmater off.

Personaly I think you are going about this all wrong.

If you get the SD bubble plates and a dephlegmater. There is no reason to get a copper head from that other guy. Instead get a section of pipe you can pack to place between the top plate and the dephlegmater. You can add some copper Scrubbers above the dephlegmater for copper contact if you remove the plates. You could leave it there all the time with no worries.

You do need the product condenser too.

As a pot still just don't turn water on to the dephlegmater. Then you have a pot still. (after you get some runs in more then likely you will never run it as a true pot still)

As a plated still. Use the dephlegmater and plates.

As a reflux still add the packed section above the plates and control it with the dephlegmater.

you are over thinking this. And looking at wasting a bunch of money for no reason.

[CaptSammy]

Thanks for the help and replies.

I must apologize for my crazy directions. As bad as I am buggin you all, imagine poor Smaug at StillDragon.

I guess I need to change my order and just do what works till I know how things work.