This is my first post and I apologise for it being a noob post. I have searched the forums using all the combinations of search terms I could think of to no avail. Feel free to tell me to read a book. However, I have experimented a lot with my gear and cant get stable results.
I have a self built 2" bubble plate column with three modular plates, 3 up and 1 downcomer per plate, 12mm bore with 15mm caps (standard plumbing supplies). I can get 85% with a tiny bit of reflux but no matter what I do with the power or having the RC even off, I ALWAYS get either top or second plate flooding. It doesnt flood if I use virtually no power and a little reflux but then I can't get any meaningful offtake. I really hope there's something simple I'm doing wrong. I also know that a 3" column would be better but I struggle to get the materials required... and I've put a lot of work into his one now!
I would be extremely grateful for any advice you fine distillers can give.
Cheers.