How to assemble a simple ccvm head for newbs +using hard ptfe gaskets + ccvm flute

[Chauncey]

So this what you need to assemble a ccvm is pretty simple. This one is in 2 inch but is the reflux head for a 3 inch column so instead of the bell reducer I use under the tee

Here is what you need to do it. Remember this list is just the head but the same process connects the pc and packed or plated section. The material list will only include what's needed to make these connections

I'm doing this just to get more knowledge out here for visual learners and people who have difficulty with the rigid ptfe gaskets sealing up. Its my personal method and not the be all end all of gasket use.

Anyway the list

*3 triclamps in 2 inch
*3 ptfe gaskets
*an equal 2 inch triclamp tee
*a 90 degree triclamp elbow
*a 2 inch by 10 inch length triclamp spool. Or whatever size you want above your takeoff tee.

the following are optional
*a short spool 2" triclover to move the elbow that goes down to the pc a few inches from the column.
* a 2" triclover tee with the branch that connects to whatever size your thermo is. Mine is 1/2" npt with a 3 inch probe so I made mine from a copper spool I soldered a 1/2" fnpt into the side of. You could use a premade stainless tee with a 2" to themometer connection adapter. In my case it would be a 2inch tc cap to half inch fnpt and I'd have a longer probe.
*the thermometer. Its going to tell you the vapor temp headed for your PC

I use a thermo after the RC and a phase change diagram to monitor my abv. You can go directly to the elbow if you want.

Also

You're gonna need ptfe thread tape. A half inch width roll and a 1 inch width roll. Even though you can do it with all half inch. Get the white stuff. Not the blue monster or yellow.

Ok so I start with the take off tee to the thermo tee. You'll see why later.

I begin by wrapping the 1/2" tape around each ferrule I'm joining. once evenly around with a little overlap. I delicately keep the tape flat and with the ridge of the flange in the center so some goes around the angled part and the rest can be folded down into the groove in the ferrule face. I'll use a gasket to push fit it and fold it. Be careful to cut your tape and not pull it because that will stretch it diagnolly blocking some vapor path. If it does stretch over just gently roll it back in the groove

Not covering the vapor path but rough

E3ABB0B0-EFBA-4EAC-AC8D-0DB6B36053C6.jpeg

Rolled back and push fit with gasket

C58DA37A-31D6-48CC-AFB3-8C5EFE75F469.jpeg

Covering the other side to be joined

F48DC62C-D7F8-4608-B70D-EE7C02F9335E.jpeg

Pushed it into groove in ferrule and gasket set on top

5FD08959-3EFA-4927-A186-11AAB677D3F9.jpeg

This is one of the reasons I did this in this order. Balance the tee on top and use a single wrap of the one inch tape to go all the way around the outside of the ferrule gasket sandwich. The pic I'm wrapping the 1 inch around is blurry, only one hand lol. But the single wraps with a lol overlap are important on all the taped connections. Too much tape your clampmwont fit.

12C25C78-72B7-4E49-91B2-71DA8FAFE64D.jpeg

Now clamp it up. Tight. But hand tight. I mean really hand tight.

5F60CFA1-00C0-4D8C-9706-A83E6C0EE90E.jpeg

Contd next post attachment limit.

[Chauncey]

Continuing

FA9511D5-5F7E-4B7B-B622-8C94C88E8E98.jpeg

Solid as a rock.

66F09EBA-5575-4C03-8DBC-D7842F9420E9.jpeg

Now we move to the 90 elbow for the pc. This is the second reason I started with the take off branch. It's gonna make things easier to keep square.

D2BAA84E-A46B-4107-BCD0-6B9B09B04A6C.jpeg

Prewrap and fit into the groove. Once it's held together and your bottom faces that go to column and pc are flush raise it gently and wrap the 1inch tape around and clamp it. Lower it back after to make sure you got it flush.

5F294817-D730-47EF-941A-CB405D3EF99F.jpeg

AD980E5B-A575-4C75-AAD0-6591142A9F8F.jpeg

Gently raise and inch tape

69F221A7-4E79-4A12-8920-27DE092EF8CC.jpeg

Next post with more.

[Chauncey]

Now clamp it and lay it down flat to .make sure your assembly is free standing.

61709E27-6489-4333-9493-925F4C35720C.jpeg

Next comes the tee extension and your csst condenser!

Pre wrap each side into the groove

F29DF668-8D44-470C-BD6B-2C21EEFFB0AD.jpeg

Sit the gasket on top the tee. Then the sit the extension tube on top. Wrapmitmonce around with 1 inch tape and tuck it around the flanges tight just like before. Then clamp her up

6FD2E5A4-2AED-4549-8D31-DECEC7A9CEFE.jpeg

One inch tape on

D2BB9ABF-27A5-41EC-9081-68389278C241.jpeg

Then tucked

558F727A-CBAC-4509-97E5-41367FB159E4.jpeg

Now clamped

38C5F221-D800-41C6-A0E1-B7862721121F.jpeg

Contd next post

[Chauncey]

Here she is before the csst is added remember 1 wrap of each tape with overlap. Maybe 2wraps tops. Too much tape your clampsnwont first. This has never failed me with hard gaskets that people have issue with.

39609B57-3561-4E6C-8698-B0D2148BE205.jpeg

Next post will be for making a 2 inch condenser that fits and works.

[Durhommer]

I'd of never thought of the tape in the joint...good one

[Chauncey]

Ok this is my csst condenser. Its 60 inches of 1/2" csst. A true coil with cold finger would be smaller csst as the OD of this is 5/8". I call this the caduceus condenser where the cold finger coil is more of a staff of asclepius.

Here it is.

F6C147DD-9EC0-4C35-9B2C-201AE6C94CBC.jpeg

As you can see it push fits well but we're gonna use some copper mesh to fit it a little more

C42D7694-B6C6-4695-A2B4-CBCAFA48C100.jpeg

To wind it I folded the length in half. Had my buddy hold the fold in some vise grips while I took the ends coming off and formed the loose coil. Gloves helped. This big csst is better for larger diameter still heads.

Now comes the next post. Mesh addition for added efficiency and a better push fit. Then the system I made to hold it in place while push fit and heavy with coolant flow.

[Chauncey]

I basically tie the end of the mesh together and starting with the loop thread it folded tight between each twist. I leave the remainder hanging from the bottom loop. Then I wrap it loosely around the outside with the hanging remainder. Loose but tight enough to make it stay while push fit. I wrap the end at the top of the twist and tie it on with some copper strands after making it tight.

62A80427-4B52-4A69-9977-7CDA2CF787CD.jpeg

3443EE0A-E80A-4984-B75E-BD8FDA42AE38.jpeg

0277F6C9-92B3-4A88-ADD4-CC763DC8F2DB.jpeg

003A2FC4-8AD6-459E-B85C-634DE6EF1779.jpeg

[SassyFrass]

Thanks Chauncey...this may be the way I go when I'm able to get back to building/assembling things. Been wanting to figure out reflux for years. Might be an easy way to get started. Thanks sgain.
SF

[Chauncey]

9A54281A-29E6-4502-B1BA-1059318DBC4D.jpeg

And here it is at full push

So that's how you build a ccvm head. And that's how you make hard it's gaskets leakproof.

[Deplorable]

I guess I need to do more reading. I didn't realize there were folks having a problem with the PTFE hard gaskets sealing up. Nice solution for those that do.
Is the thermometer really necessary in a CCVM offtake?
Ive built my column, but haven't twisted the RC yet so I haven't run it. I just figured the thermometer wasn't really needed.

[Chauncey]

Well it isn't required necessarily. I should go back and mention that a spool or even just an elbow is okay instead. But it is useful to compare to the phase change diagram while running so you don't need parrots and stuff.

[Chauncey]

Pic of my 2 inch head over four 3inch bubble plates. Connects to a 2 inch keg. In a run in a bit so ill let ya see it all setup

4818775F-DFDE-48D2-8DD1-6B6129FCADCD.jpeg

[Yummyrum]

Nice write-up with lots of Pics Chauncey

VM ( or CCVM) head works really well on a plated still . Good to see you using it .Hopefully thanks to your great DIY a few more might take it up and enjoy the ease of operation .

[Chauncey]

Thanks yummy. Gotta say it helps to throttle your coolant into the RC cuz the adjustment is so little movement when its at full flow. Throttled back i had more range of motion for rc control.

My third sight glass was wet and condensate drip covered but not foggy like tails persay, so was my first glass. The middle and the top(2nd and 4th) wefe fine. Believe it was cuz they were dirty. When. Tails fog came i could tell the diff. Gonna try running 3 plates next time 4 mde the whiskey a touch light.

[YeahMate]

Thanks for the write up.