My first Nixon Stone Offset Head

[Livetoride]

Hey everyone, here is a few pictures of the still I bought off a friend! Pretty happy with it so far although got a few things to fix and setup on the rig to get it working perfectly! I've been informed that the reflux pipe has to be put as high as possible, now my question is; is the high pressure taps really needed? Specifically focusing on the reflux tap? It's making it hard to get a nice bend in copper! I was also thinking of a 90 degree bend if it is needed! Thanks for your help in advance! Daniel

[ipee7ABV]

not an expert but something looks off on that still and its not the head. how do you get product out? i think you want your return higher in the column so it can reflux better. as you have been informed and there should not be any pressure in the system so high pressure valves might not be necessary

[heartcut]

To avoid buying new valves, you could remove a valve, put a tee where the valve was, put the valve under the tee and run a branch line from the tee through your column wall to center your reflux. Valve closed is 100% reflux, open is 0%.

[bellybuster]

The relatively inexpensive hardware store needle valves work fine and some are lead free like these ones.



I still think you'll be fine with the valves you have, just turn the reflux 90 degrees into the column. You'd only gain 1/2" of height with new valves. Worth the expense?? up to you

"how do you get product out?"
his takeoff line is just curled around the column for storage.

[bellybuster]

and the reflux line needs to enter the column and go to the centre so reflux drips down the middle of your packing

[bellybuster]

I really wanted to use one of these on mine but they were expensive. Would have gained 1.5" of height on my reflux line

[Livetoride]

Thanks everyone for all your help! I ended up going to the plumbing store and buying a 90 degree bend and another nipple to change the angle!

As it was suggested not worth paying the extra for little gain! Hopefully getting soldered tonight then all I have to find is a ss welder here that's not a rip off! Will post a few pictures when I'm finished! Thanks again!

[Livetoride]

Just received the picture of my plate for my hot water element which I think looks shit hot but I've just noticed it may be a touch high in the keg. I did have a element like this with a bend in it so I'm thinking he's given it enough clearance from the bottom!

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1361224682.226591.jpg (5.4 KiB) Viewed 3083 times

All I have left to do is mod the reflux Column and I'll be set finally!

[snksknr]

You only need one valve. Remove the unnecessary valve from the reflux return line and put it on the take off where it belongs. And I hope for your saftey and those around you, that you drilled a 1/4" minimum vent hole in the top of your reflux condensor. Without a vent hole, it will explode. Other than that it looks good. Have fun and be safe.

[Livetoride]

You only need one valve. Remove the unnecessary valve from the reflux return line and put it on the take off where it belongs. And I hope for your saftey and those around you, that you drilled a 1/4" minimum vent hole in the top of your reflux condensor. Without a vent hole, it will explode. Other than that it looks good. Have fun and be safe.

Thanks for your advice there snksknr, the extra valve was already on there when I brought the rig, as I have found out on the forum it's not needed but it's not hurting anything so I'll keep it on there for the time being!

With the vent hole just wondering where your coming from? I know with the boka etc you need it but according to the picture below taken off the forum it's not stated? Thoughts?

[bellybuster]

you need a constant ability to vent to atmosphere, mine has no cap at all above the condenser.

question for snksknr on not having a valve on the reflux line, how else would you go with zero reflux and full takeoff?

[bellybuster]

oh ya.... you'll be fine with the element there, just be aware of it and ensure you always have enough liquid to cover it

[snksknr]

When you go into full reflux youll have your take off valve closed. The vapors building up in your rig will want to get out some how, if not boom. All types of reflux stills need some type of venting to prevent pressure build up at 100 percent reflux.

[Richard7]

for it to work with 1 valve the reflux tube needs to be a tad higher in the collection cup. Full take off will make no reflux. That's how I have my tubes in my column but I put on a valve on my reflux line when I built mine. I just leave the valve open all the time and wish I had just left it off. My take off line is like a funnel in my collection cup and leaves no liquid. If that doesn't make sense I can draw an illustration.

[snksknr]

@ BB

I suppose the valve could be left on for stripping and used as a potstill.

[bellybuster]

No, I get it Richard, thanks.. The reflux line you have kind of like a stand pipe so it needs to build up an ounce or three

[bellybuster]

was just asking because without it the best you could ever get is 50% takeoff 50% reflux. Unless of course you have a standpipe style reflux line, which I don't. But even with that you will never know the 100% takeoff rate if your condenser is knocking down faster than your takeoff line allows.
maybe I'm over thinking, some would say not possible for me.

[Livetoride]

Thanks everyone for you help, I'll look into drilling a large hole or like you said to take the whole lid off the condenser!

So from what I can understand that we can just leave the valve on the take offline but it will just be open most of the time?

I'm getting the reflux line redone this weekend and was thinking I can get more done if needed but sounds like it will be ok?

[Richard7]

So from what I can understand that we can just leave the valve on the take offline but it will just be open most of the time?

No, you need to close the take off line to get reflux, if you get rid of a valve it can be the reflux valve. But if you do this the reflux pipe needs to be a little higher in the take off cup. You need the valve on your takeoff and you need to use it to control your reflux.

[snksknr]

was just asking because without it the best you could ever get is 50% takeoff 50% reflux. Unless of course you have a standpipe style reflux line, which I don't. But even with that you will never know the 100% takeoff rate if your condenser is knocking down faster than your takeoff line allows.
maybe I'm over thinking, some would say not possible for me.

That must be a really large collumn in order for the condensor to flood a wide open 3/8" valve. I have a 1/4" valve on my take off and it never floods. I also have a 1/2" take off on the same still and get the same volume as the1/4", so that tells me my 1/4" is not backed up. When it comes to these small tubing sizes you have to deburr the lip thats left on the inside of the tubing after cutting, otherwise the burr will reduce the volume of liquid passing through. Especially on a 1/4" tube.

[bellybuster]

makes sense, I was just thinking theoretically. dangerous territory

[snksknr]

@BB

Thinking is good. Thats why we are all here, to share our thoughts and progress.