Ccvm similar to dad300 build

[aarons8181]

Could I build a ccvm similar to dad300 design but only use 3" x 36" divided into 2 18" sections, for column into a 3"x2"x2" tee then use a 2"sight glass with a 1' x 2" section for my csst coil..also coming of the tee would be 2" 90 into a 2" SG with 4x 1/2" tubes.reduced to 1 " for collection.

[still_stirrin]

Do you have a source for one of these?

.... a 3"x2"x2" tee ...

...Could I....use 3" x 36" divided into 2 x 18" sections...

Sure. More fittings is more cost, but more flexibility of design. I would suggest a 12” section and a 24” section instead...again, more flexibility of design. You could use a 12” riser, or a 24” riser, or a 36” riser depending on how high you want to fraction. Options....

... (Could I)...use a 2"sight glass with a 1' x 2" section for my csst coil...

You may find that keeping the top section 3” ID is less expensive and easier to build and operate. Can you do it...sure. Would I reduce the top...no.

...(a) 2" 90 into a 2" SG (shotgun product condenser) with 4x 1/2" tubes (and) reduced to 1 " for collection.

I think your outlet pipe could be reduced to 1/2” instead of 1”, as the product will be liquid. But keep the vapor inlet tp the shotgun at least 1”...maybe even 1-1/4” or 1-1/2”. You want to keep the velocity from speeding up too fast. The 4 x 1/2” shotgun vapor tubes will be OK for a 1” inlet, but I’d try to get 5 or possibly 6 into the condenser shell. And keep the vapor tube length at least 20”, ideally 24” for maximum throughput, especially if you’ll configure as a potstill for stripping.
ss

[aarons8181]

No source for the tee,only consider changes from 2 " design have been reading would speed up run time using the 3"...thanks still_stirrin

[greggn]

Could I build a ccvm similar to dad300 design but ... then use a 2"sight glass with a 1' x 2" section for my csst coil..

In a CCVM, there's no value in putting a sight glass above the tee as all the reflux action is happening in the 1 - 2 inches immediately above and below the tee (depending on your reflux ratio). A solid spool will suffice to support the CSST ... and save you a few bucks.

[aarons8181]

Thanks so much,my biggest question has to with cost and availabilty.does a 2 " vs 3 " really make a big difference in the amount off time make a run.i read so much an just confuses me ...i read about 2" ccvm runs taking 12 hrs n more with a 10 gal wash. Is this normal andceould a 3" cut the time on half or more? Thanks

[bluefish_dist]

3” is a lot faster. Simply compare area to get an idea of speed. 3” is 7sqin of area and 2” is 3.14 sqin, so yes a 3” is about twice as fast as 2” provided you have enough power. 4” is 12.5, 4 x faster.

[still_stirrin]

...i read about 2"...runs taking 12 hrs n more with a 10 gal wash. Is this normal and would a 3" cut the time on half or more?

Well, 12 hours is a loooong time and I doubt a CCVM would take that long even for a 2”. Perhaps you’ve been reading about the Bokakob or Nixon-Stone offset, both of which are LM stillheads. LM’s do typically take longer than VM’s or even CM’s.

My 2” VM requires 100 minutes to start producing (10 gallon wash) and the run is usually less than 8 hours start to finish and that includes heat up and clean up.

But as Bluefish Distilling noted, a 3” does require (will handle) more power to exploit the larger diameter and corresponding faster production rate. And for a keg boiler with a 10 gallon charge, the 2” should be adequate without imposing too much more time for the run. Again, heat up will be the same for either stillhead because it depends on wash %ABV and volume, not diameter of the column.

And remember, if you increase column diameter (to produce faster), you’ll need more heat input AND REMOVAL, meaning a bigger reflux condensing coil in the head and an improved product condenser. So, “economy of scale” is a design factor. Time to operate is less of a driving requirement to the design...unless commercial production is a requirement.
ss

[bluefish_dist]

This is for reflux stills only. As mentioned above warm up is a function of heating up the wash. More power is faster, the limiting factor is scorching your wash. Once at temperature the vapor speed in the column is limiting. Get it too high and you get poor separation or flooding or puking. A good upper limit is about 20ft/sec. there are calculators out there to convert power input and column diameter to vapor speed. Do a google search.
Vapor production rate is determined by heat input. This is why we control power, not temperature on heat input. More vapor created, higher vapor speed. Also vapor speed is related to area, larger diameters have lower speeds for the same amount of vapor. This allows the addition of more power for larger diameter columns, creating more vapor, and faster takeoff. Round numbers, 2”-1l/hr, 3”- 2l/hr, 4”-4l/hr. Power also goes up too, 1500w, 3000w, 6000w respectively. Note that these are rough numbers and you may find you like slower or faster speeds. Faster tends to be rougher or more flavorful, while slower is cleaner with less flavor.

[kimbodious]

I can concur with 1.2 LPH output for a 2” CCVM. My runs with a 40 L charge of Low Wines usually take 14+ hours, yield 14.5 L avg at 94% ABV. One spirit run of this scale is enough for my annual requirements.

[aarons8181]

thanks all for info n help.so helpful