Fast 2 inch stripping rig

[MrAlarming]

My Nixon/Stone 2 inch offset LM still works super good and I'm really happy with it and comfortable running it after the 6-7 14 or so gallon washes. The problem is my stripping runs take a really long time to run. I need a faster stripping rig. I know that going to 3 or even 4 inch would be faster - just want a FAST stripping option for a 2 inch setup. Looked long and hard for speed discussions here but haven't had luck finding them. If someone knows of a thread where this has already been covered, please link or provide some search advise.

So I'm looking for advise on a build but kinda want a 2 inch pot still that will work for both whiskey runs, and stripping my neutrals. It'll use the unmodified 15 gallon keg for the boiler. Not opposed to building any sort of condenser, just want speed. I do have a 1/4 inch double wound by 9 inch condenser on the reflux unit that has taken everything I've thrown at it - it'd be nice to re-purpose that, but not necessary. Let's assume the LP gas heat can produce as much heat as needed.

Must:
Be fast
Use the 15G keg boiler

Would be nice:
Be a decent rig for whiskey runs too
Utilize the existing condenser some how

I also have a 1/2 by 12 inch liebig I use to cool product before proofing, possibly could use that too.

[Prairiepiss]

Just build a pot still. Find Samohon's pot still plans in the plans and diagrams threads. Make two condensers. One longer one for stripping runs. And a shorter one for running off whiskey and rum as a pot still. Or two condensers that can be connected together to make a longer one for stripping.

[kaziel]

I don't think 12" Liebig will do the job. Correct me if I'm wrong but take off speed is limited by power input and power (heat) lost, so no point on going 3 or 4 inch right? I think Samohon's pot still is actually 2" + Liebig. I'm a fan of Graham condenser but DAD300 has some nice ideas in viewtopic.php?f=16&t=42245&p=7123987#p7123987 I like that flexy Liebig.

[aj2456]

no doubt like mr piss said any pot still heads would do to speed things up- for superfast stripping seems it to be limited

(from what i hear)

by the smallest diameter bit of tubing (ie i dont think a 3" would help much if the leibigs 15mm diameter- but i could be very wrong-

and how much power you can put into the still

btw i hear shotgun condensors are good

and prob worth designing a precondensor into the main still head to take some of the load off the main condensor

[MrAlarming]

Yes PP, I'm pretty much figuring a pot still using Samohon's basic design; I guess the condenser is the only big question. Do you think two, three-quarter inch by 30 inch liebigs will kick it down enough to run it fast? I'd probably plumb them in parallel, and connect them end to end. Maybe even pack one a little with copper mesh?

[MrAlarming]

Yeah, the 1/2 inch Liebig I have is used only for cooling takeoff enough to get an accurate ABV reading.

[Prairiepiss]

Yes PP, I'm pretty much figuring a pot still using Samohon's basic design; I guess the condenser is the only big question. Do you think two, three-quarter inch by 30 inch liebigs will kick it down enough to run it fast? I'd probably plumb them in parallel, and connect them end to end. Maybe even pack one a little with copper mesh?

There are calculators on the parent site to figure condenser length. It can help you determine how long to make it.

Remember. You don't have to follow his plans to the T. Build it as tall as you will need to to put the takeoff end where you want to collect. Beleave me you. It's not fun collecting product on the floor. Build it with union to connect the liebig to the still head. And make it so the angle can be adjusted.

If it were me. I would come off the 2" with a 90 to a union. Then I would make two liebigs. First one with a union that will connect to the still head. Then a 90. That will give you the angle adjustment. And just 1/2" tube coming out the bottom end. The second liebig would have a union on each end. With 90s going opposite of each other.

This would give you the one liebig to use for spirit runs. And a second one you can add between the still head and the takeoff liebig. And with 90s at each end. Then it can be doubled back in a zig zag. So your takeoff isn't at the other side of the room.

I would probably go with a 40" to 48" liebig with the two unions on it. And 30 to 36" for the one used for takeoff. Just guessing. I would have to crunch numbers on the calculator before I set that into stone.

[googe]

That's a good idea of PP's, versatile and would work.well. My old.liebig was 1.2m long, 1/2" inside 1" and worked.really good. I'd go a shotgun condenser imo, there short, can strip very fast and work well for spirit runs. They don't need to be horizontal, and pretty easy to make. Someone here ages ago was getting around 15lph with there 2" Shotty, can't remember the thread though. My shotty on my bubbler does around 12lph. I built a 3 way liebig ages ago that would produce just under 20lph, not the kindest to build though (pic). Just giving you some options .

[MrAlarming]

I like the shotgun idea too; 15lph!, that'll do my 14 gallon run in a couple hours - perfect. I'd guess Prairepiss was trying to accommodate the whiskey run versatility thing. Hmmm.... more reading and research.

Keep the ideas coming!

[cotton mouth Samson]

Here is the pot still head I've been working on for fast stripping runs it's going to go to a vertical shotgun condenser and use a keg for the boiler

[pounsfos]

why not jusrt add more power to your rig?

how long does a stripping run take on your vm?

my washes are about the same, takes me 1h 45mins(ish) to stip 15gal at 10%
that includes warmup

[Doogie]

another option is my dual liebig design - think of it as 2 liebigs, 12" long, connected side by side. vapor input goes to a T-connector, splits to the 2 liebigs, and rejoins at the bottom with a T-connector. Water input and output are connected via t-connectors also (so the cold goes in the same for both)

I run it at near vertical - 3/4" over 1/2" ... off a 2" samohan potstill type arm, with reasonable water flow, and have no problem knocking down vapor. Since a dual is heavier than a single, I mount it on a wooden 2x3 stand I made. Since it is a dual, the size is reasonable. I attached a simple garden hose control valve to the input.

[MrAlarming]

I built it and it huffs. I've never run a pot still so maybe this is somewhat normal, but I don't like the huffing at all. I was running her pretty hard on the cleaning run of vinegar.

It's a 2" column 28" tall to two 90 bends, to a 2 x 3/4 x 16 inch long lyne arm to a 24" unpacked, spiral water jacket Liebig, 2 90 elbows to a 48" spiral wound Liebig, and out to a drip wire.

The 90's change the vertical to a 4/1 (h/v) pitch. The two 90's just bring it back around on another 4/1 pitch. Linearly, there's 28 vertical, to the 16 inch lynearm, to the 2 liebigs. I have a picture I can post if necessary.

So, why is it huffing?

[bellybuster]

Out of pure curiosity, why do you even do stripping runs with your Nixon? I run straight wash through mine and get axeo or close every time. Completely neutral.
I guess I'm asking what the benefit is?

[MrAlarming]

Product ends up cleaner, and makes the spirit run super easy to regulate. Rock solid column temps at 172-173 for the entire run, and pull off rate remains very steady too. I do keep some of the best hearts from these strips, but not all that much.

This build was for two purposes, fast neutral strips, and to try my hand at a sweet feed mash; which is on its 6th of ferment, so I better get this huffing thing figured out.

[BDF]

I built it and it huffs. I've never run a pot still so maybe this is somewhat normal, but I don't like the huffing at all. I was running her pretty hard on the cleaning run of vinegar.

It's a 2" column 28" tall to two 90 bends, to a 2 x 3/4 x 16 inch long lyne arm to a 24" unpacked, spiral water jacket Liebig, 2 90 elbows to a 48" spiral wound Liebig, and out to a drip wire.

So, why is it huffing?

Are you running your cooling water too fast? From what I've read you don't want to shock cool your vapor....have you tried just using the 48" liebig on its own?