I want to run my design past you folks before I build my still tomorrow. Sorry that the drawings not great, but I don't have a copy of Solidworks anymore and Sketchup is just a pain to use.
I have a 5L stainless steel pot that I am attaching to a 22mm copper column. At the top there will be a t-piece to the lynearm with an option to attach a thermometer. The lynearm will run down to a worm condenser that will be made from 15mm copper pipe. The worm will be ~3m long. Planning on using either and induction plate or a gas burner to power the still.
At this stage I want to use compression fittings to join the various sections of pipe so that I have some flexibility to adjust the position of the condenser relative to the boiler (i.e. adjusting the angle of the lynearm) and also to help with storage and cleaning. Hopefully I will find some stainless fittings, but more likely than not they will be brass. I know its not ideal, but with current lock-down legislation I can't order online and our local hardware store is closed, so if I can't get it at the agricultural supply store I can't get it.
I'm planning on using a combination of flour, cork and teflon thread tape to seal everything up.
My questions to you are as follows:
- Would using a larger diameter stainless pipe (~40mm) for the column be a better idea than using the smaller copper? (Assuming it was only those two options)
- Is the worm adequately sized assuming I may want to use it for a larger still in the future (~25L)
- Will using a wine cork to seal in the glass thermometer be sufficient?
- How useful is knowing the vapor temperature? (I want it to help me make cuts)
- Assuming that this is meant to be a temporary still for me to cut my teeth on until I can get the materials to make something better does it matter if I use brass fittings?
- Should I consider building a thumper into this design? (I'm mostly planning on doing small batches of rum and whisky)
- Is there anything blindingly obvious I'm missing here?