New still , Reflux condenser problem

[desahih]

Hello,

so i bought this new custom made still for me.

As u can see, it is a 22 L pot with a removable 1 Meter column ,2 inch wide, and this column can be a Reflux condenser also.
and if i want to pot still i can remove the column and distill in pot still mode.
it has a shotgun condenser .
all in all it is working really good with no leaks.and i'm making good Odin's based gin in pot still mode.
the problem is,i cant really find a way to work the 96% ABV using the column as Reflux condenser.
-can i put SS mesh instead of copper mesh?
-can i find a way to put it on full Reflux mode then restrict the water from the column using T-connectors and valve in the water piping which i circulate passing through a cooling radiator?
-would i get to the 96% ABV to make neutral with this?
i run it on Gaz.

i am so happy with the still but i really want to get its full potential.

PS. the only custom thing in it is the column,which works as a reflux condenser also and can be removed.
I once ran it on full reflux hoping that the vapour eventually will pass through the condenser after a while, like it did in my lab glassware(same setup but the column was 30cm liebig condenser) and i got 93 ABV. But i got no distillate so i shut it off trying to figure out how to install my pipings.

regards,

[still_stirrin]

The “reflux condenser” should be located above the packed column as the process (reflux) is when falling condensate is reboiled in the packing by the hot, rising vapors, thereby separating higher volatile constituents from less volatiles. Your condenser/column simply causes the vapors to condense along the walls of the vapor tube. It isn’t really reflux.

Another concern I see with your system is the horizontal orientation of the product condenser. It could become partially “liquid plugged” with condensate That doesn’t flow to the outlet. Put some slope on that line to allow it to drain.
ss

[desahih]

It isn’t really reflux. cant i find a way to use the best out of it? make me feel i didn't waster my money please

Another concern I see with your system is the horizontal orientation of the product condenser. It could become partially “liquid plugged” with condensate That doesn’t flow to the outlet. Put some slope on that line to allow it to drain.
ss

i never had a problem with that,it is leaning down actually but not showing in the photo.

[StillerBoy]

removable 1 Meter column ,2 inch wide, and this column can be a Reflux condenser also.

What you have called a reflux condenser, it is not such, other than it just a column cooler, which will not provide refluxing action, even with packing used.. furthermore, a column needs to be insulated in a reflux state so as to retain the heat in the column to assist in the process..

Basicly, all you have is a pot still... to improve on what you have ,in order to shorten the production a neutral, will require major changes to what you have presently.. what you will need is dephlegmator also known as a short shotgun condenser.. and forget about the cooler on the column.. plus some efficient packing..

A pot still will produce a good neutral after 3 spirit runs with cuts..

Mars

[desahih]

makes sense , ill have to add a dephlegmator on top.

[still_stirrin]

... cant i find a way to use the best out of it? make me feel i didn't waster my money please....

OK, I’ll try.

If you replace the 90* elbow at the top where the thermometer is, with a Tee, then add a gate (or ball or butterfly) valve on the branch of the Tee and place the 90* elbow to the outlet of the valve, you can add a reflux condenser to the top of the Tee in a short spool, and...wa...lah!!!, you’ve made a VM reflux still.

Then, you pack the existing tower/column with SPP, glass marbles or copper mesh and forget about connecting water to the jacket of the pipe and it will work just fine as a reflux column.

... i never had a problem with that,it is leaning down actually but not showing in the photo.

If you do the modification I’ve outlined above, the product condenser will be vertical, pointing down, and it’ll drain just fine to your collection jars.

You can salvage what you’ve bought. But you’ll need to buy some additional hardware. And in the end, it’ll be a better, and easier to operate still.
ss

[desahih]

Nice!!ill give it a try . Appreciate your help

[desahih]

One more thing, can i use inox mesh?

[desahih]

One more thing, can i use inox mesh?can't i use it as a fractionating column?!

[desahih]

Okay i got an idea, the water flow goes in the condenser then out of the condenser to the top outlet of the so called column and it exits through the bottom of the column, this way gives a small amount of reflux along with the packing.that would be the best use of it before i fix it with the tee and the valve.

[still_stirrin]

Do what you’re going to do anyway. But don’t come back asking for help. From here on out, it’s up to you...

[NineInchNails]

I suspect you missed what was said earlier. That water jacket is essentially useless because it is a 'column cooler'. You should have a packed column and INSULATE the column. What you are doing is the opposite of this. Just don't run water through the column cooler so it can act like just a simple pipe and not negatively impact proper distillation. You could fill that column cooler with fine vermiculite. That would help insulate and remain light weight. You could fill it with sand, but that would make it heavy.

I cannot tell from your pics. Are both of those condensers water jackets (Liebig condensers) or is the product condenser a shotgun condenser?

[desahih]

the product condenser is a shotgun condenser, i just filled the column with ss scrubbers to make it work as a fractional still, and im not gonna link it anymore to water jacket. thanks all. appreciate your patience

[desahih]

and i got the idea from here btw viewtopic.php?f=17&t=70925&p=7526009&hi ... s#p7526009