New "Modular" column build

[BrierPatch]

Hey, all!

I'm starting my first column build. As this is my first build/still, my primary objective is to remain as flexible for future mods/changes as possible. As a result, I have decided to build my column to be "modular" based around a 3" diameter 54" tall copper column. The column is attached to a keg with a 2->3" adapter. I'll be using a 220v (4500w?) heating element (using my welder circuit in the garage) and controlling the power output with a 10kw SCR.

My first "head" will be a boka. I have a 6" ss spool on its way from China into which I will install the boka slant plates, take-off port (1/2" diameter) and thermometer port. This will mount to the top of the column with a tri-clamp. Above the boka spool, I will be installing a 12" ss spool for the reflux condenser (also already on its way). The water supply for the reflux condenser will be adjusted with a 1/2" gate valve. It will look something like this:

Boka Assembly.jpg

For the reflux condenser, I am undecided whether I want to use a DAD300-style CSST for the reflux condenser stuffed in the 12" spool or if I want to use the spool to build a shotgun condenser. I know that a 12" shotgun (as designed would contain eight 1/2" diameter vapor tubes) would be a massive overkill, but the shotgun could then be reused as a product condenser when running the column in other configurations (similar in knock-down to an 8' long 1/2" liebig). If I do decide to go with the shotgun, I've also toyed around with the idea of splitting the spool in half to create two halves within the single spool - effectively two 6" shotguns that can be run individually or could be run in parallel to have a 12" shotgun.

My second "head" that I will be building (after I get the boka head assembled and get comfortable with the general operation of the still) will be a vapor-infusion head so that I can make flavored neutrals and gin. I'll attach the reflux condenser (which would need to be a shotgun for this application) above the column connected to a 3" elbow connected to a 3" Tee which will house the infusion basket (would likely need an extension below the tee to gain enough length for the basket, but you get the idea) and either another shotgun or a decently sized liebig for the PC. I haven't included ALL of the details, but here is something to give you an idea of what I've got in mind:

Vapor Infusion.jpg

With the components on-hand from the two heads above, I could easily add a gate valve to the mix and also run it as a VM still (or a LM/VM combo, or ???). Again - I'm looking for versatility so that I can play around with different styles and see what works best (for me) for producing different spirits.

I have installed the tri-clamp ferrules onto the 3" column (which required freezing the ferrules, heating the column and a little percussive persuasion) but haven't TIG'd them on yet. Here are a couple pics (don't judge - I know that I need to clean my garage! ) And yes - those are two fridges in the garage - one for cans/bottles and one for kegs.

ModBoka Build 1.jpg

ModBoka Build 2.jpg

ModBoka Build 3.jpg

ModBoka Build 4.jpg

Before I have my buddy TIG them on (technically braze them on I suppose, but using a TIG torch for the heat source instead of oxygen/acetylene - the heat is MUCH more controllable that way), I wanted to make sure that I wasn't making a mistake (with the most expensive single piece of the build). Is a 54" column (100% of it packable) too long? Should I (gasp) cut it down a bit?

[Yummyrum]

If you have the height in your shed .... go as high as you can

Only limit I can see might be you pump (if you use one ) , might not have enough lift to get the water up there .

[BrierPatch]

Yummyrum -

The ceiling in the garage is 12 feet - height isn't a problem. I'm more concerned about whether I am unnecessarily creating a monster that will come back to bite me in the (you know where)... Is there a rule that says "thou shalt not built a multi-functional 3" column longer than XX inches" rule that I haven't stumbled across?

I will definitely be using a recirculating pump for the cooling (water where I live is unnecessarily STUPID expensive), and you're correct - I will need to take the vertical lift into account. Looking to use a radiator/fan on the return side to keep the temperature of the cooling water consistent (instead of using ice periodically to keep the temps down). I figure that consistent temps (regardless of the temperature - as long as they are low enough to do the job) are better than adding another variable to the system (varying coolant water temp by adding ice now and then). Already have a design in mind, but need to acquire more parts to bring that aspect to life (@DB - this is where you come in...).

[hpby98]

Hang the radiator and coolant loop off the ceiling in your garage

Hit amazon up for a 12v solar circulator pump like:

https://www.amazon.com/bayite-BYT-7A014 ... B0196WL6GY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

And also hang a 5 gallon bucket or so up to as the reservoir and your set.

No head to lift and the solar pumps are rated for 100°+ water so you’re set

Hpby98 , good idea about raising the cooling system to where it’s used

[Yummyrum]

Yummyrum -

The ceiling in the garage is 12 feet - height isn't a problem. I'm more concerned about whether I am unnecessarily creating a monster that will come back to bite me in the (you know where)... Is there a rule that says "thou shalt not built a multi-functional 3" column longer than XX inches" rule that I haven't stumbled across?
.

There is a rule of thumb about column length being 20x column diameter. IIRC any longer and there are quickly deminishing returns . So you should be laughing with 57”

Stability on the 2” keg mount is perhaps a bit of an issue but having said that I have had a 4” 1 meter packed section above a 4 plate flute all sitting on a 2” keg mount ..... but I did use some rope to secure it . ..... way to much investment to come crashing down

hpby98 .... good idea about raising the cooling system to the Height it’s required to ease pumping

[Budapest8485]

Yummyrum -

The ceiling in the garage is 12 feet - height isn't a problem. I'm more concerned about whether I am unnecessarily creating a monster that will come back to bite me in the (you know where)... Is there a rule that says "thou shalt not built a multi-functional 3" column longer than XX inches" rule that I haven't stumbled across?
.

There is a rule of thumb about column length being 20x column diameter. IIRC any longer and there are quickly deminishing returns . So you should be laughing with 57”

Stability on the 2” keg mount is perhaps a bit of an issue but having said that I have had a 4” 1 meter packed section above a 4 plate flute all sitting on a 2” keg mount ..... but I did use some rope to secure it . ..... way to much investment to come crashing down

hpby98 .... good idea about raising the cooling system to the Height it’s required to ease pumping

This is good reference. I couldn't find a clear answer. So a 3 inch column should be around 60 inch tall. This is manageable. Especially with the ferrule/tri-clamp option of clamping together multiple sections.

Thank you for the advice.

[BrierPatch]

This is good reference. I couldn't find a clear answer. So a 3 inch column should be around 60 inch tall. This is manageable. Especially with the ferrule/tri-clamp option of clamping together multiple sections.

I will eventually split my 60” tower into two separate sections (20” & 40”?) so that I can have a 20” column (pot stilling), a 40” column or a 60” column.

[BrierPatch]

As has happened to many others, I have fallen into the "trap of life" and still don't have my column done. (Insert dramatic "poor me" commentary here...)

I have recently had a rekindled sense of urgency to get this thing done and will be dragging the parts over to a buddy's house to weld them up.

The reason that I'm reviving this thread is to get some thoughts/advice on a change that I'm thinking about making to the Boka spool section of the column. I've been doing more reading and thinking about the pros/cons between LM and VM systems. I've seen several references to adding a VM take-off below the LM take-off (Boka in my case) which got me to thinking about simply combining them into the same spool. I've done some looking and searching, to see if this has already been discussed, but have come up empty-handed.

From what I can see, there are three primary advantages:

• Overall height of the column

• Ability to compress the heads using the LM (boka) take-off

• Simplicity of taking the hearts from the VM take-off

I'm thinking of doing something like this:

VM-LM Combo.jpg

I'd likely use a 1.5" take-off for the VM side, which should leave me with a reflux ratio of 4:1 on my 3" column when/if running wide open.

Any potential drawbacks or issues with adding the VM take-off to the boka spool instead of keeping it completely separate? If you are aware of any similar builds that I haven't been able to find, would you mind pointing me in their direction?

[Yummyrum]

Should be fine

[Salt Must Flow]

BrierPatch, I would read this post by Yummy. I'm bias to VM and have never had any desire to add or try LM or any other alternative form of takeoff. Just set it and the damn thing just runs itself.

I have a 3" VM and I use a 1" gate valve. I've been running at 2750W throughout the run. In hearts I have been opening the valve 6 turns which produces approx 3.2 lph. I can't recall a time where I desired a larger more expensive gate valve. Just in case some data might help, when I strip using reflux with valve wide open at 5500W (100% power) I got 4.6 LPH at 70% ABV. At 4400W (80% power) I get 3.75 LPH at 70% ABV. I imagine that if the valve were larger I would have a higher take off rate, but likely lower % ABV.