Semi-Automatic Liquid Management

[Saltbush Bill]

I think the best automated still would be one that sticks a tongue under the spout every few hundred mls and makes a decision on what to do next based on that .

+ 10....... ...distilling at its finest.

[richard1]

I dunno .

Just use a VM still head . Not effected by power fluctuations . Maintains constant Reflux ratio .

So much less hassle than trying to automate an LM still head that by its very nature has several demanding variables .

Seriously, a LM still has to be the simplest to operate / automate. It is not affected by by other issues that are common to other stills e,g, water flow, water temperature etc. For example, let the sufficiently cool enough cooling water run. This is the main required item. After this, simply adjust the distillate needle valve for your required amount of take off. You can not get simpler than this.

[bunny]

Seriously, a LM still has to be the simplest to operate / automate. It is not affected by by other issues that are common to other stills e,g, water flow, water temperature etc. For example, let the sufficiently cool enough cooling water run. This is the main required item. After this, simply adjust the distillate needle valve for your required amount of take off. You can not get simpler than this.

OMG Richard1,
Never say that out loud or put it to print. Unless you want to be put in with the heretics like me, DRMiller and a few others. EVERYONE knows VM is hands down the easiest to control. Nothing else comes close. Those that are the most adamant jump up and down shouting "Look Ma, No Valve" "Just one of your sterling silver spoons". Once in a while a closeted LM Person who needs a batch of neutral pulls out their old Boka and has at it. They should be more careful in what they admit, unless they are prepared to stand up with us true heretics.

So unless you can stand the grief, cool it a little. We few admit to how easy it is to determine and set our RRs and take off rates. Everyone should have the right to build the rig of their choice. However, it's tiring to watch the newby's being pulled into Chinese Tin or CCVM without truly understanding the other choices available to them. What really hurts is most of the newbies don't know what or how much they want or plan to produce. Their eyes are soooo big they are easy marks for any one with a good story.

[StillerBoy]

Seriously, a LM still has to be the simplest to operate / automate. It is not affected by by other issues that are common to other stills e,g, water flow, water temperature etc. For example, let the sufficiently cool enough cooling water run. This is the main required item. After this, simply adjust the distillate needle valve for your required amount of take off. You can not get simpler than this.

The VM operates in the same manner as stated above.. but the LM is superior to VM in that it will compressed the tails, and can be operated in hybrid mode if one chooses too.. all still are relatively simple to operate to get something at the spout, what's failed to be understood, is how to operate the unit for the different fractions during the run, and to operate the unit at it's most efficient state ..

Mars

[StillerBoy]

However, it's tiring to watch the newby's being pulled into Chinese Tin or CCVM without truly understanding the other choices available to them. What really hurts is most of the newbies don't know what or how much they want or plan to produce. Their eyes are soooo big they are easy marks for any one with a good story.

Couldn't agree more.. everyone become fascinated and intrigued after watching a few videos or TV shows, and then they rationalize that "hey that's easy, I can do that", and away they go, and the results are seen here every day..

Mars