Large concentric condenser head design

[iwine]

Large concentric condenser head design
I don’t like to rush into things blind. I just wanted to pass it by the pro’s before I order the parts. The information on this site is invaluable. Thanx again
I'm building 58L insulated beer keg with 2, 220v element but to start off I will run them at 120v on my 120v variac for starters. My garage does not have 220v My new garage should be up by fall with 220v 60 amp.
My column will be 2” 36” tall going into my concentric head which is 3” outer and 2 ½ inner then my collector will be between the 2 1/2 “ pipe on the head on my 2” column.
One of the questions that on some of the concentric designs on the site i.e.: Rad’s and lampshade’s is that at the top of the column the column narrows just before the concentric head. Is there a reason for this? Or can I just go straight in to the concentric head without that narrowing of the column?
Thanks ahead of time for your wisdom and critiques. I welcome them.

[rad14701]

That looks like a well thought out concentric... If it needs a bit of help you could always drop a coldfinger down from the top...

The only change would be your coolant inlet and outlet... You want a conterflow condenser so that the last part of the condenser the vapor touches is the coldest part... With your concept it hits the warmest part last... I've run mine backwards and it's horrible to control...

Get building...!!!

[Kegg_jam]

That's pretty bitchin. I'd definitely try to do a Triclamp on the condenser to the collection cup connection.

[der wo]

I also use a liebig for reflux condensing. Only 1" inside. But I notice some bad efficiency, because there is so much uncooled space. I put some scrubbie in the upper half, it helps a lot. But afterwards I would build a coil.
When I see your much thicker than mine reflux liebig, I am skeptical. It's much copper and looks not very efficient.

It's a 2" column. So you can not use more than 2.5-3kW. I use 2.6kW on 2". You can see my reflux liebig and its dimensions in the link in my signature. It's well dimensioned. I think for 3kW it would be too small.

Conclusion: I recommend you a thinner but longer liebig or to add a coldfinger. Or simply build a coil, ss corrugated tube is easy.

[iwine]

I had problems finding 2 1/2 inch. pipe I can get a 12 foot piece is there any one in interested in the other 10 feet or i can cut into 2 foot pieces. it would be $40 Canadian for 2 feet. its just cost recovery. PM me if you are interested

All of my other parts are ordered.

The idea of a cold finger was in the back of my mind, I will build one and have it ready on my first run if requires. I will also have some SS packing in the column and the head

Tri clamps are ordered

Thanks Rad I will try coolant the your way first

From what i understand it will be about a month before all the parts come
I will take lots of pics and maybe video while im doing it

[iwine]

I got bored waiting for my parts for my new build. Rad suggested that may need a cold finger.
This is link to my cold finger that came up with. http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 7#p7409967

[img]

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[skow69]

Your links don't work.

[gflower1]

I see 2 out of 3 pics on tapatalk...
Does anyone use just a cold finger on their 2" VM?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[iwine]

initially I had PDF's and they would only show on the site as download only. I had to figure out how to convert then to JPG file so that the image would show so that you wouldn't have to down load it. On my pc I can see it.

The first Image is called :solderless reverse liebig/concentric cold finger
Second Image is called: Installed solderless reverse liebig/concentric cold finger

It sits inside a concentric condenser head. its a PDF download named "head 3", in my first post on this thread.

Thank you

[skow69]

I get 2 out of 3 now too. Thanks for converting them. Looks like a good plan.

[Kegg_jam]

I really like the drawings. Everything seems very functional.

Another option would be a short coil. I would wind a csst coil about 4 or 5 windings maybe even less, and plum it in line with the concentric. But that's what I have on hand.

[Tomb]

I am not so sure you need it so big?

I took guidance from Rad and the numbers seemed to say that a concentric condenser smaller than your main pipe size could work just fine.

Mine needs a bit of packing in the top and I have to make sure to purge it of air when setting up but it works just fine for as fast as I can go without puking.

[iwine]

Here is the head image from the first post original pic.

IS THERE ANYONE RUNNING A CONCENTRIC HEAD THIS LARGE?? I found all the pipe at a salvage yard. I have about 5 feet of 3" and same for 2 1/2" and about 8 feet of 2 inch.

I was wondering this 3" outer 2 1/2 inner concentric head was to LARGE sitting on 2" column?

for starters I will run 2 1500w electric burners by this fall I can 5500W on a 58L keg.

Can I use 2" inner pipe with a 21/2 outer pipe? The fittings are alot cheaper. the fittings i can get locally.

I do have "Tim the Tool Man Syndrome".
Sorry, Some times I have problems getting my thoughts across via text.

[iwine]

I am not so sure you need it so big?

I took guidance from Rad and the numbers seemed to say that a concentric condenser smaller than your main pipe size could work just fine.

Mine needs a bit of packing in the top and I have to make sure to purge it of air when setting up but it works just fine for as fast as I can go without puking.

How long is your head and outer jacket? What size keg are you using and the size of the burner?

[Tomb]

Distance between water ports is 10 inches (plus 1.5 at each end) 17 inch overall.
The short end is given a wrap of Teflon tape (to try to thermally insulate it from the rest of the offset head) and slipped into a 2 inch coupling and then pasted up.

I have my keg well insulated with Reflectix, as well as the 4 foot column, so only run my 4400w element at about 1200w with lava rock.

A 40 litre stripping run (11%) takes 2.5 hours and a 26 litre spirit run (33%) takes about 6 hours.

For coolant input water is below 15C (60F) and out is 60C (140F) using about .75 litre a minute.

(Also have a Liebig, 1/2 over 3/8 that cools the product with a minimal amount of water on a separate valve)

Rad was raving that his smaller concentric was able to knock so much down that I thought I would make a modest upgrade.

T

[iwine]

lava rock?? I have read lots and lots of these forums and have not read any where about putting lava rock (Im guessing ) in the boiler. What is the reasoning for that? Is it just to help the boil?

[googe]

Hours of reading there lol http://homedistiller.org/forum/search.p ... =Lava+rock

[Hound Dog]

lava rock?? I have read lots and lots of these forums and have not read any where about putting lava rock (Im guessing ) in the boiler. What is the reasoning for that? Is it just to help the boil?

I would think he is talking about lava rock as column packing although it makes for a good boiling chip if you use them.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... nformation

[Tomb]

Sorry, I meant lava rock was in the column. From what I understand using lava rock means you lose some potential alcohol that stays soaked in the pores. (Even after it dries there is conjecture that the alcohol can come back out. I have started doing multiple rinses after removing the rock until the water runs clear and has no smell.

There has been much positive said about it. But I do not know if there has been any conclusive findings going neck to neck with glass marbles or stainless scrubber.

T

[iwine]

Sorry it took so long to get back. I have decided I didn't know much about lava rock so I went researching while waiting for my parts. If I'm getting the Idea correctly I do understand the Idea and concepts of column packing i.e.: copper & SS scrubbers, marbles, and SPP’s. Lava rock in the column on the other hand was a little different besides aiding in reflux it seems to have some mild cleaning properties similar to carbon filtering, because of the pores in the rock.

In the boiler I found that the bubbles are formed on the lava stones (as well as the use of copper bits Clay Pot marbles etcetera) which is supposed to help the boil. I guess I'm going to have to have something in the boiler. I'm not sure what yet. Now that I've been thinking about it I will likely go with marbles. because as of yet I do not have a clean out, it'll be just easier to remove the marbles.

ps thanks for the links, plus the other ones i found gave me a ton of reading.

[skow69]

In the boiler I found that the bubbles are formed on the lava stones (as well as the use of copper bits Clay Pot marbles etcetera) which is supposed to help the boil. I guess I'm going to have to have something in the boiler. I'm not sure what yet. Now that I've been thinking about it I will likely go with marbles. because as of yet I do not have a clean out, it'll be just easier to remove the marbles.

If you are talking about boiling chips here, marbles are probably the worst choice because they are so smooth. Cut off pieces of copper tube work well. Pumi rock or broken pieces of pottery should be fine too. You want something with a rough surface.

But if you're not getting any shaking or surging it won't make any difference.