Dimroth condenser goes vertically?

[srpompon]

Hi friends, here is my first question!

I read a lot but still have a doubt.

I want to build a pot still, but I do not like to much the location and length of a Liebig condenser.

I want to use a Dimroth and a short column of 3".

The Dimroth works better vertically parallel to the column? I have understood that, but I see many diagrams that put them at 45 degrees, as a Liebig.

Which is the right way?

Thanks!

Pompon

[rad14701]

You honestly don't need anything a s complex as a Dimroth condenser on a simple pot still... A simple 3/4" over 1/2" liebig condenser does the trick just fine... Sizing all depends on heat input but most here run a 24" - 36" liebig... Some go with 1" over 3/4", but this generally is not required and the increase of copper and water weight come into play more so with increased size... There are several good liebig build tutorials here in the forums...

Is there any rationale as to why you think Dimroth is the way to go...???

[Danespirit]

+1 Rad

There is really no rational reason for overcomplicating a build.
Take a look at the calculators on the parentsite, it will give you a idea of how much cooling you need as per heatinput.
http://homedistiller.org/calcs/cond_calc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

As for your question on the Dimroth:
It must be vertical, any other angled placement will give you a poolingcondition in it.
One wants to avoid pooling of any kind in the build for obvious reasons.
Think of it as a worm in a flakestand...the flakestand would be your waterjacket.

[shadylane]

The most common use of a dimroth condenser here is for reflux condenser.
But it could also be used for a product condenser and used at any angle a liebig is used.

[srpompon]

Is there any rationale as to why you think Dimroth is the way to go...???

Rad,

I live in Argentina, and here is almost impossible to get copper tubes and adapters.
But I have the chance to get all in pharmaceutical quality stainless steel and have ability for soldering steel with TIG
So I would like to put something very modular using clamps and wanted to make a Dimroth type module for use as a pot still and then able to move the clamps and use it in a reflux.
Also for reasons of appearance, I do not like in Liebig aesthetic sense.
Also I would like to have a section of glass in the Dimroth to see how the gas is condensed (this part just for fun)

Pompon

[srpompon]

+1 Rad

There is really no rational reason for overcomplicating a build.
Take a look at the calculators on the parentsite, it will give you a idea of how much cooling you need as per heatinput.
http://homedistiller.org/calcs/cond_calc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Danesprit,

In the post "Condenser What Do I Need ..?" of Samohon he explains that a Dimroth works better than a Liebig.
In regard to build it using flexible stainless steel pipes for the interior it seems just as simple to make a Liebig, just a little more of time, but I think it would be worth.

And the ability to see how the liquid is condensed and a flute I find it very, very funny.

Pompon

[srpompon]

The most common use of a dimroth condenser here is for reflux condenser.
But it could also be used for a product condenser and used at any angle a liebig is used.

Shadylane,

I need to learn more about the placement of the Dimroth, i only see pics of laboratories setups and any time the Dimroth are vertical, but here, in pot stills some people use at 45. i need read more and see some reports if exist...

Pompon

[Danespirit]

Ooops..your are right Shadylane.
I stand corrected.. a Dimroth can in fact be used in almost any angle, i confused it with a Graham condenser...brainfart.
A Graham will be the "worm in a flakestand"..for a simple comparision.
A Dimroth is a coil (containing coolant) in a jacket, that holds the material that wants to be cooled.
Sorry for the confusion...had a hard weekend.

Pompon you could use flexible line in stainless for such a Dimroth condenser.
I think what Samohon meant, was the Dimroth condenser has a greater area touching the product, that's why it's effective.
Now..one could put some mesh in a Liebig or crimp the inner pipe, that would increase efficency.
DAD300, uses flexible gasline in his CCVM build, it should function very well.
He uses it for both refluxcondenser and in a Liebig.

[YHB]

I built a Dimroth Condenser a few years back and it has served me well, but it only now that I know it is a Dimroth Condenser, up until now I thought that I had made something original. Thanks for giving it a name.

The pictures of mine are a couple of posts down in this thread and there are a couple of alternatives. http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26274

As you will see from my post its is easy to combine the Dimroth with other condensers, cold-fingers, coils and the like.

For the combined Dimroth / Coil / Cold-Finger configuration, I settled on two cold feeds in parallel, each with its own supply valve which makes it very controllable during spirit runs. But with both supplies opened up, it provides a large amount of cooling in a very short space for stripping.

Over the years I have used it vertically and on a slope, and I now am currently making a new column where I will be installing the same condenser horizontally as a Thor's hammer type setup to save height.

I settled on two cold feeds in parallel, each with its own supply valve which makes it very controllable during spirit runs. But with both supplies open it provides a large amount of cooling for stripping runs.

I like my "Dimroth" Condenser and enjoyed building it.

Toodlepip

[rad14701]

There would be nothing wrong with building a stainless steel liebig just as long as it is right sized... Stainless steel is less effective at thermal transfer compared to copper so you would either need a larger liebig or increased coolant flow...

[still_stirrin]

There would be nothing wrong with building a stainless steel liebig just as long as it is right sized... Stainless steel is less effective at thermal transfer compared to copper so you would either need a larger liebig or increased coolant flow...

Yep, definitely bigger condenser for the same sized heat load.

The thermal conductivity for copper is 386 W/m*C. And for 304 stainless steel, the coefficient is only 16 W/m*C, approximately 1/24 of the conductivity of copper.
(values from here: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/heat- ... _1488.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow )

Note that the unit "meter" is actually square meter (area) divided by meter (thickness), reducing to a singular dimension, m.
ss

[Hound Dog]

I built an over sized dimroth for my stripping setup. It knocks down anything I can throw at it and was pretty simple to make. Not saying that you need this size, it's a bit of overkill. It will work at any angle though.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... u#p7317223

[S-Cackalacky]

Looks good Hound Dog. What size is the CSST? I looked at your link and remember the thread, but didn't see anything about the size of the CSST. I have a long coil of the stuff and I think it's maybe 1/2" ID, don't know. I think DAD300 also uses one and I've always been intrigued by the simplicity of it.

Anyway, nice job.

[srpompon]

The pictures of mine are a couple of posts down in this thread and there are a couple of alternatives. http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=26274

I like my "Dimroth" Condenser and enjoyed building it.

Toodlepip

Brian,

Yea! i want one like your but w some glass windows.

[srpompon]

I built an over sized dimroth for my stripping setup. It knocks down anything I can throw at it and was pretty simple to make. Not saying that you need this size, it's a bit of overkill. It will work at any angle though.

Lulu Condenser.jpg

Lulu 2.jpg

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... u#p7317223

Hound Dog,

incredible! I will use as inspiration!

Pompon

[srpompon]

I built an over sized dimroth for my stripping setup. It knocks down anything I can throw at it and was pretty simple to make. Not saying that you need this size, it's a bit of overkill. It will work at any angle though.

Lulu 2.jpg

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... u#p7317223

Hound Dog,

I have some questions about your setup.

The condenser has a length of 3 ft ok? how long is the flexible used to fill all the consensor?

No copper mesh?

Why the reduction of the column is before elbow and not after?

The column is a 3" inches one? what is its length?

Thanks!!!

Pompon

[DAD300]

Hound dog's is beautiful.

There is no actual lose using CSST versus copper...most of the copper we would use is thicker than the CSST. I have seen tests showing the CSST wins. And the corrugation adds a built in turbulence and extra surface area.

There is almost no fabrication required to use CSST, (I think that's why some people don't like it) if you use the product end as the entry and exit for the cooling water.

Dimroth PC r.jpg (11.88 KiB) Viewed 4082 times

Consider almost every Reflux Condenser we use at the top of a column is a Dimroth.

You can force 1/2" O.D. CSST into a keg spear.

Or you can use larger tube for the outside and twist the water tube. This is 5/8" twisted inside a 14" x 1.5 outer. Handles 5,000watts easily.

Then just use hose clamps over plastic tubing to connect water flow.

[srpompon]

Or you can use larger tube for the outside and twist the water tube. This is 5/8" twisted inside a 14" x 1.5 outer. Handles 5,000watts easily.

1.5 Dor.jpg

Dad3000,

Very very nice, the tube used only for the condenser (w the spiral twisted inside) is 14" x 2" ?
the column is 3"?

thanks!

Pompon

[DAD300]

Product Condenser is 14" x 1.5", the column is 3"...

With a Dimroth you get water cooling up the inside, and get the effect of air on the outside tube!

[srpompon]

Product Condenser is 14" x 1.5", the column is 3"...

With a Dimroth you get water cooling up the inside, and get the effect of air on the outside tube!

Great, here in my country the best can i get is this one:

is 120" of 1/2" i need a bigger 3" condenser to put this coiled inside i think....

[DAD300]

NO GOOD, that product is rubber hose with a metal coil to protect it.

Look to Heating and Air Conditioning contractors or those that install Solar Water Heaters. Also, those that install propane stoves. They will know CSST.

[srpompon]

NO GOOD, that product is rubber hose with a metal coil to protect it.

Look to Heating and Air Conditioning contractors or those that install Solar Water Heaters. Also, those that install propane stoves. They will know CSST.

mmm... no way... this is Argentina a poor country in South America .... no CSST here mmmm... i need to learn how to make a good copper coil!

[Danespirit]

Well, a coppercoil ain't that hard to wind...
Have a look at mine here: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 87&t=52290
If you scale them up, it would be even easier to wind them.
No filling of the coil with any crap...just use the best tools you ever get...your hands..
You can easily wind 8,10,12 or 13 mm copperpipe with your hands and some patience. (made a coil out of 15mm myself).

[Hound Dog]

Looks good Hound Dog. What size is the CSST? I looked at your link and remember the thread, but didn't see anything about the size of the CSST. I have a long coil of the stuff and I think it's maybe 1/2" ID, don't know. I think DAD300 also uses one and I've always been intrigued by the simplicity of it.

Anyway, nice job.

I used 3/8" because after the corrugation it is a larger diameter and 1/2" is a real tight fit. I don't know what length was used since it comes in 25 ft. rolls, probably a good 15 feet. I put a little stainless scrubbie in there too.

[Hound Dog]

I built an over sized dimroth for my stripping setup. It knocks down anything I can throw at it and was pretty simple to make. Not saying that you need this size, it's a bit of overkill. It will work at any angle though.

Lulu 2.jpg

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... u#p7317223

Hound Dog,

I have some questions about your setup.

The condenser has a length of 3 ft ok? how long is the flexible used to fill all the consensor? Yes the section is 3 feet. The coil is way overkill with like 15 feet of 3/8" to make it. Just because it came in a 25 foot roll and I could

No copper mesh? There is a little stainless scrubbie in there. No copper is on the descending side only stainless. The ascending side and the boiler are copper. That is plenty.

Why the reduction of the column is before elbow and not after? Cost. I have a three inch column still and 3 inch parts. I didn't want to buy the sanitary fittings in 3 inch they are way more $$ and there is no benefit.

The column is a 3" inches one? what is its length?The column is a 16" section of 3" I have as an add on section to use here and with my column.

Thanks!!!

Pompon

[shadylane]

One nice thing about a dimroth, coolant flows through the coil so it can be smaller than 1/2" 12mm.
If the vapor flowed through the coil, for safety reasons it would have to be 1/2" or bigger

[rad14701]

If you're in a poor country, go with a simple liebig... You seem to be fighting such a simple solution for no apparent reason...

[shadylane]

You seem to be fighting such a simple solution for no apparent reason...

There's are large percentage of "us" that are guilty of that.

[Bagasso]

mmm... no way... this is Argentina a poor country in South America .... no CSST here mmmm... i need to learn how to make a good copper coil!

Try here: http://www.flexitec.com.ar/flexitec_ape.php These seems to be csst with mesh on top.

[rad14701]

You seem to be fighting such a simple solution for no apparent reason...

There's are large percentage of "us" that are guilty of that.

Safety in numbers, eh...???