Continuous micro still

[torstein]

Hi,

I wish to build a continuous micro still for stripping and wondering if anyone have drawings for something that is tested and known to work? Or could put me in the right direction to what to do and what not to do.

Found this on youtube that i like:

[LWTCS]

As you can see, there are several ways you can approach a build like this.
How long have you been distilling?
Are you completely familiar with all of the most relevant terminology?
How much power do you have available? Napkin math works out to 408 watts per gallon, per hour. But that figures in with heat recovery. I have no idea what you'll need if you are not using previously generated BTUs to preheat your feed stock.
Will you be using spent beer as your steam source?
Will you be running clarified beer through the stripper or grain in?
How will you cool the final product?

[torstein]

Has no limit on power. Plan to use regular sugar and yeast wash.

I'm very unsure of this how everything is done etc, so I ask here if anyone has actually done it before and has a setup that works?

I have seen others cool down with the product that goes into the appliance instead of water cooling?

Found these drawings for sale:
https://www.doubloonbay.net/index.php?p ... y=Featured

[NZChris]

One of the safely policies on this forum is that you shouldn't leave a still unattended, so I doubt you will get much help designing a still that can run itself 24/7.

[Yummyrum]

I'm very unsure of this how everything is done etc, so I ask here if anyone has actually done it before and has a setup that works?

Have you had a look in the continuous stripping still section of the form ( where you posted this thread)?
There a several of us that have got them to work ( not the micro still you link to , but others)........ But there are also many many more that didn't .

[torstein]

Yes i have read every topic, I have bought the drawings from this site i linked to. So i think that is the best one i will try out. But mabey others also have better drawings and expience in what to go for?

[Yummyrum]

Depends how much you want to make and how often , but LWTCS ( Larry) has some pretty cool diagrams of a Continuous stripping still that can be bought off the shelf Iff’n making it your self isn’t part of your skill set.

[LWTCS]

One of the safely policies on this forum is that you shouldn't leave a still unattended, so I doubt you will get much help designing a still that can run itself 24/7.

Well the thing is Chris, is that a continuous system really can be run like a batch system with respect to schedule/time frame.
In fact, as far as bringing a continuous system on line it may very well be better because heat up times are much faster than batch.
What I always question is the speed at which product can be collected. That is to say that if one's little continuous system can't process a 50L volume (for example) any faster than a 50L batch still then what is the point?

It may well be that the continuous rig is more efficient with respect to energy consumption? But at 50L volumes is the power suck really that much of an issue?

People do like to build stuff though. It's what became my first attraction to the hobby.

Yummy I have a few bits and bobs. But the critical/specialty items of my design get manufactured as demand dictates. I just don't have the working capital to build every possible iteration that may or may not sit on the shelf indefinitely.

Torstein. the modular components and configuration in the first video is what I am most familiar with.
I am not at all familiar with the circuitry of the system in your link.

[LWTCS]

I have seen others cool down with the product that goes into the appliance instead of water cooling?

Yes both ways have been done. However, without a dedicated HX for distillate cooling, the processing speed is usually very much reduced.You would need a good size low wines HX to ensure good cooling power for low wines and also a beer column effluent HX to ensure that your beer is adequately pre heated prior to injection.

[jonnys_spirit]

With a keg sized spirit pot still you could be looking to strip 150-200liters per batch size to fill the spirit still with low wines.

[LWTCS]

With a keg sized spirit pot still you could be looking to strip 150-200liters per batch size to fill the spirit still with low wines.

With a 1.5KW outfit that's nearly 14 hours to strip 200L if my napkin math is close.

[torstein]

Yes I also think that 1.5kw will hold in plenty for me. that it comes about 3l per hour finished stripped according to what I have read.
And it takes about 10 minutes and start up.