Packing

[Shark]

I have a 4 ft. 2 inch column. Been getting great results of 94% using marbles and copper scrunched up. Changed to raschig ceramic rings and copper thinking on improvements. Now I am only getting 85%
Why?

[greggn]

I have a 4 ft. 2 inch column. Been getting great results of 94% using marbles and copper scrunched up. Changed to raschig ceramic rings and copper thinking on improvements. Now I am only getting 85%
Why?

Which size rings ... 1/4" or 3/8" ?

[juana_b]

as long as everything else is ok, have you looked into the differences in hetp of the media used?
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/htm/calc ... p_calc.htm

[Salt Must Flow]

If I were in your shoes, I'd try Lava Rock. It worked amazing for my 3" column and worked better than any other packing I've ever tried. Sizing is important. I used a sieve (kitty litter scooper) to separate the rock I purchased to approx 5/16" in size. I kept all of the smaller bits, sieved them again with a finer scooper to obtain a more uniform smaller size and tossed the smallest rubble. I tested the smaller bits I sieved with my 3" column to see if they would work as well or work better. It didn't. The column flooded repeatedly so to me that proved that the size recommendation was accurate.

I've never used raschig rings, but I can't imagine they would work better than Lava Rock does.

[shadylane]

I have a 4 ft. 2 inch column. Been getting great results of 94% using marbles and copper scrunched up. Changed to raschig ceramic rings and copper thinking on improvements. Now I am only getting 85%
Why?

Was the take off rate the same on both runs?

[Saltbush Bill]

and copper scrunched up.

If its proper structured copper mesh like this , https://stilldragon.com.au/products/str ... sh-packing it shouldn't be "scrunched up" it needs to be rolled tightly then slid into the column as roll's stacked one on top of the other.

[Shark]

Using copper dish washers. That's not the problem. Same as before just changed from marbles.

[Shark]

My rings are 1/4 inch with loose copper on top. Take off about the same as with marbles just lower alcohol

[drmiller100]

Have you tried only marbles? 36 inches of.marbles easily get to neutral. But more certainly doesn't hurt.
How much heat are you running?

And to clarify you are running 4 feet of packing?