Old European condenser type

[Dan P.]

[Dan P.]

[Dan P.]

With apologies for the shonky photos- this is a type of condenser common in France and Germany, and perhaps elsewhere. It might be inspirational to someone who has not been able to see one before?
It’s a simple design, the water bosh is maybe 200 liters ( for a 60 liter boiler). Nothing cutting edge, just thought I’d add to the collective knowledge.

[stillanoob]

Cool pics! Any idea of the date of the still?

[Dan P.]

Cool pics! Any idea of the date of the still?

It’s from the late 1950’s.

[Chauncey]

Hows this work

[Dan P.]

Hows this work

The last photo shows it all put together. Vapour goes in the pipe at the top, liquid comes out the bottom!
The plates are attached to a rod, they are close to the inner diameter of the tube of the condenser, so the vapour is slowed and cooled. The rod is removable, and comes out of the top, where there is a lid that is fixed during operation with a sort of c-clamp and screw.

[Yummyrum]

So is there a deliberate gap between the plates and the wall that lets vapour past each plate forcing it against the water cooled wall ?

[Dan P.]

Yes, exactly. Super shitty “schematic” attached.

[jonnys_spirit]

Looks like it would cause a certain amount of smearing as vapor condenses and drips/dwells for a certain amount of time on it's way towards the bottom. Cool and interesting find!

Cheers,
jonny

[Danespirit]

A true piece of distilling history.

[Dan P.]

Looks like it would cause a certain amount of smearing as vapor condenses and drips/dwells for a certain amount of time on it's way towards the bottom. Cool and interesting find!

Cheers,
jonny

You might be right, but I haven’t noticed it. To be honest I don’t think the condenser is a place where I’d worry too much about smearing, this is for pot stills after all.

The strength of this design, having made one myself, is that it does not require running water. One might otherwise use a worm, but I have never seen a successful attempt at a home made worm over about 1/2” thickness. Where this is maybe a 5” tube, the one I made was I think 2” and as long as the flake tub is deep enough you should be ok.