3" CCVM perforated plate column

[Wooday]

Last fall I bought some gently used 3" DVW from a member here (copperlover1), and I've finally started my project with it!

Here's a crudely rendered image of what the final build will look like.

mockup.jpg (7.58 KiB) Viewed 6908 times

[DAD300]

I like it...will be neat to see if the CSST in that placement works.

If you have a keg spear, add it to the bottom of that reducer and let the CSST make the 180 in the reducer

It will get you to a better collection point.

I want to see how the plates work...and like the copper to SS transition.

[GrassHopper]

Interesting. I don't think I have seen this before? The CCVM is a controlled condenser Vapor Management system and you have added perf plates. Hmmmm.
Just curious, how do you feel the plates will improve this design. Will the vapor flow be too restricted to work properly? Just talking out loud. I. have the stand CCVM with scrubbies in the column.
Carry on

Posted same time as DAD300

[DAD300]

I believe the takeoff will work the same as pack column. He'll have as many plates as he adds.

You have scrubbies, I have SPP, he'll have plates and I imagine someone has marbles...I lost mine...

[Wooday]

Interesting. I don't think I have seen this before? The CCVM is a controlled condenser Vapor Management system and you have added perf plates. Hmmmm.
Just curious, how do you feel the plates will improve this design. Will the vapor flow be too restricted to work properly? Just talking out loud. I. have the stand CCVM with scrubbies in the column.
Carry on

I'm going for full flavor whisky and brandy in one run, and from what I've seen from other members here, I can get that from 3 to 5 perf plates.

If i want a neutral spirit, I can pull the plate tree and pack it with marbles.

[skow69]

Yeah, OK. Hell, why not? It's certainly easier than making a dephlegmator.

[RedwoodHillBilly]

I believe the takeoff will work the same as pack column. He'll have as many plates as he adds.

You have scrubbies I have SPP, he'll have plates and I imagine someone has marbles...I lost mine...

I have scrubbies in mine and they work well (and can make azeo from low wines), I need to try marbles ( 'Ya I lost mine also). I can't see why plates would work better, perhaps you could educate me.

I guess that I don't understand the advantage of plates over a tightly packed column.

[Wooday]

I guess that I don't understand the advantage of plates over a tightly packed column.

Flute talk -> http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 17&t=59216

high proof, high flavor.

[GrassHopper]

I'm impressed. I think you could be on to something here. Hey, I'm open minded. We will look forward to seeing any
advantages. Thanks for sharing and please keep us posted on the outcome.
Carry on mate

[RedwoodHillBilly]

I guess that I don't understand the advantage of plates over a tightly packed column.

Flute talk -> http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 17&t=59216

high proof, high flavor.

It depends, primarily on the reflux ratio. With a CCVM and a packed column, you can easily set the reflux ratio, i.e. number of plates. I'm willing to be proved wrong. I can get both high ABV and flavor in my CCVM, but YMMV as to how you run it.

[BayouShine]

I've been pondering this very same thing, except in a 4" flute. In theory, it should work just as well as the CM design. It's on my list for next year's build.

[still_stirrin]

I've been pondering this very same thing...It's on my list for next year's build.

Next year???? This year is still young. What's wrong with starting that new build now?

Don't put of till tomorrow what you can do today. That'd be "procrastination".
ss

[DAD300]

Four plates will USUALLY not make as high an ABV, as a packed column. But some people claim the are more consistent and repeatable for high flavor products.

[googe]

Nice work.mate, should work good . I thought some others had done vm over plates?, maybe im mistaken!. Redwoodhillbilly, you don't get the same flavours from packed as you do plates.

[BayouShine]

I've been pondering this very same thing...It's on my list for next year's build.

Next year???? This year is still young. What's wrong with starting that new build now?

Don't put of till tomorrow what you can do today. That'd be "procrastination".
ss

That 4" copper ain't cheap!

Seriously though, I can only do my stillin' during the winter. Once the spring hits, I'll be too busy with work to do any new builds. The one plus is that I'll keep my hands off my barrels for a good long time!

[hellbilly007]

I've pondered this same idea. Just figured it's been done before. Not that I can recall seeing any.

Feel free to correct me, I thought one the advantages of plates over packing is that plates can be ran faster while maintaining high abv%. If not, vodka, neutral or GNS distilleries would be using packing instead of plates. Time=money

[snowman_fs]

The typical CCVM build is so modular I figured I would eventually get to playing with plates. I already convert my CCVM to "pot" mode when I want.

I would start the hybrid column with only one or two plates on bottom and leave a section of packing below the reflux coil. I worry about flooding the top plate. Just think, the reflux coil can induce 100% reflux.

Hell if we are talking hybrids, I have seen Russian stills with packing on each plate. Keep building, it'll work and be fun to play with.

[LWTCS]

Four plates will USUALLY not make as high an ABV, as a packed column. But some people claim the are more consistent and repeatable for high flavor products.

+1.
Congeners get entrained on the plates and continue to re infuse.

For azeo this is an inefficient behavior that can be overcome.
For flavor this is to be exploited.

[copperlover1]

Wooday. Looks great. Glad to see you getting started keep the pic coming. I can't wait to hear you results from running plates .

[Wooday]

When the tee arrives, the build is on!


Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

[emptyglass]

Interesting concept.

Maybe its the matchmaker that can bring the flute and column fanbois together

I hope it works as well as it can

[Wooday]

The column is assembled!

Going to clean it and run a couple washes as a pot still while making the plate tree to see if the 5 feet of 1/4"is CSST can take the heat.

[copperlover1]

Wooday good to see the old pipe turning into something beautiful. So did you ever get your plates made?

[Wooday]

Wooday good to see the old pipe turning into something beautiful. So did you ever get your plates made?

Moving there slowly but surely.

Trying to choose between the tried'n'true perf plates spending more money on copper and drill bits, or taking Googe's work with flap plates and running with it, spending more time tweaking the holes to optimize the design.

My budget is maxed out for the time being, so it will take time to save up for sight glasses and hardware for the plate tree.

[copperlover1]

Wooday I hear you brother. So many choices and so few dollars. I will keep looking in at the post to see how you make out. Can't wait to see.

[Wooday]

I was able to cut out enough plates to make a two 5-plate trees; one with perf plates and one with flaps.

I have these -->http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.a ... &catid=720 in 2.21" ordered for my flaps. Should have the tree finished and installed by the end of Friday this week. If there's enough time I'll punch my perf plates (yes, punched, not drilled) and start soldering some down-comers for that.


I can't wait up for sight glasses. I know it's stupid, but I'm going to try to run this by feel.

[raketemensch]

I can't wait up for sight glasses. I know it's stupid, but I'm going to try to run this by feel.

Common wisdom is that you need the glass... Having run a flute quite a bit, I'm not convinced they're 100% necessary. I would just:

1) get up to boil with the dephleg on a little bit until you get to your first drops
2) collect your foreshots at maybe 2-3 drops/second. This draws off your fores and gives the plates time to stack, and for your fractions to separate
3) figure out the best takeoff rate for your still. I still do a barely twisted stream

That's pretty much it. When you hit tails you'll know, as things will slow down and your ABV will drop like a rock.

[amber]

Hi Wooday, are there any updates for this still? Did you finish the plated element of it yet?

I have a good length of 4" copper that I am entering into the research and planning for what to do with it.
My initial ponderings are towards a still similar to these plans, but with the plated section being removable and swappable with a section of packing, or just with the plate tree being removable like your plans, thus switching between a standard ccvm reflux for neutral and a ccvm plated for whiskey and the likes- and keep the 2" pot still for rum and stripping... But, I am new to all this and don't know how the CCVM would work with plates. Can't seem to find much else out there about this.

[Wooday]

Hi Wooday, are there any updates for this still? Did you finish the plated element of it yet?

I have a good length of 4" copper that I am entering into the research and planning for what to do with it.
My initial ponderings are towards a still similar to these plans, but with the plated section being removable and swappable with a section of packing, or just with the plate tree being removable like your plans, thus switching between a standard ccvm reflux for neutral and a ccvm plated for whiskey and the likes- and keep the 2" pot still for rum and stripping... But, I am new to all this and don't know how the CCVM would work with plates. Can't seem to find much else out there about this.

No updates. Just bought a house so I need to do some renovating before I run anything.

I'm making the plate diameter a little smaller and wrapping with extra thick PTFE thread tape to seal the edges. no idea if it will work, but the thin sheet I used deformed too much with a tight fit.

[bronctoad]

bump.. contemplating a 2 plate with packed section for neutral.if making it with a dads style vm condenser, could that eliminate the need for a defleg on a plated column?? ie. replace the defleg with the vm head??

bronctoad