should my distillate be comming out ice cold

[ashkierantucker]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask but should my distillate be comming out ice cold? I thought I read it should be warm?
Cheers

[bearriver]

It all depends on your setup, as in what kind of still do you run?

I have a 1.5' liebig that cools the hot distillate from my 3" LM to 55 degrees F, which is just 1 degree above my well water temp. I run the water to the liebig, and out to the reflux coils, then into the dirt. The flow is a slow trickle @ around 150 degrees exiting the coils.

[still_stirrin]

Welcome to HD.

You've got some reading to do yet..head to the reading lounge. You will find the answer to your question, and many more, there.

But, coming from a mechanical engineer, the exit temperature of your product will not, nor can be less than your cooling water inlet temperature. That's the limitation of a counterflow heat exchanger. And it's probably the most efficient design. So, when you say "ice cold", what is your measurement? 0* C?

ss

[DAD300]

The easiest answer is no. But I assume a few things...

If product comes out much below 100F you are using excess cooling water/flow. If you have a recirculating system and aren't actually wasting water, that's o.k.

Assuming you have a standard Reflux setup, you should be relying on your Product Condenser to temper the water for your Reflux Condenser. Dropping Super Cooled Reflux on top of packing can initiate a flood at the top.