mixing 2" and 3" columns

[Royalwulf]

I am currently buying parts for a modular 2" column still.
I have a 2" column and dephlegmator.
Ulitimately wanting to get a bubble plate.

After reading lots I am thinking of going for a 3" bubble plate rather than 2", be a while before I can get that.

If I got a 3" column, would there be an advantage putting the 3" column below the 2" column and dephlegmator?

[Salt Must Flow]

If you do a plate still, have a 3" hollow pipe below 2" bubble plates/caps & dephlegmator won't harm or help anything. Vapor will just be rising up through it while reflux will be falling down through it. There will be nothing interacting with the falling reflux so it won't affect anything.

One advantage I can think of by installing a 3" column below a 2" ... is just in case you decide to upgrade to a 3" column in the future. Other than that, no advantage I can think of. I really like 3". Not too big and not too small. I mostly use a 3" packed VM. My pot still is 3" also, but mainly to keep all of my parts interchangeable.

[Royalwulf]

Thanks Salt
any advantage in 3" hollow pipe below bubble plate?

So no advantage. i was going to pack both 3" and 2" columns, any disadvantage?

[GrumbleStill]

Thanks Salt
any advantage in 3" hollow pipe below bubble plate?

So no advantage. i was going to pack both 3" and 2" columns, any disadvantage?

There’s others with way more experience that will give you a definitive answer, but I think mixed packed column diameters would be hard to run.

Packed columns are a balancing act between power and reflux to “dial in” optimal performance, and different diameters will require different power inputs to get the balance right. So mixing diameters will mean at least one, if not both, won’t be performing as well as it should.

I can’t see any advantage to the hollow section underneath.

Cheers

[Salt Must Flow]

Thanks Salt
any advantage in 3" hollow pipe below bubble plate?

So no advantage. i was going to pack both 3" and 2" columns, any disadvantage?

First off, I'd post a drawing of exactly what you are thinking about assembling. Where you intend on using packing, where the bubble plate/plates will be, where what diameter column you want to use, etc... I wrote a relatively lengthy reply, but then deleted it because I was making too many assumptions trying to figure out what you're trying to build.

[Setsumi]

In a packed config 3" below 2" will work with 2" production,heat input and take off.

If you go for 3" plates stick to the plates and make brown spirits. You can use a 2" deplag on the 3", no worries.

[Yummyrum]

First off, I'd post a drawing of exactly what you are thinking about assembling. Where you intend on using packing, where the bubble plate/plates will be, where what diameter column you want to use, etc...

Totally

The word “column” is quite possibly the number one reason for confusion on this Forum .

To some , it’s just a hollow pipe , to others , its packed section. Some think it means a plated still or Flute .
Quite a few others might call a packed section or plated section a Column regardless of whether it is used with a reflux condenser (or Deflagmator in the case if a CM still)

So anything folk read that has the word column in it can mean many different things .

Here on HD , a Column should only be called a Column when it is a section that is packed or contains Plates …. And … only when it is placed under a Deflagmator or reflux condenser to form a reflux still .

[Royalwulf]

Not good at drawing so using excel

IMG_20230626_093120.jpg

I understand a pipe that is not packed is a riser.

So if I put a 3" column under a 2" column it will go at the speed of a 2"? ie no faster.

If I have a 3" bubble plate with a 3" column above it and both under a 2" dephlegmator will it go faster than a 2" bubble plate under a 2" dephlegmator?
Or to get more speed do i need a 3" dephlegmator?

In other words
I have a 2" product condenser.
To get more speed does everything under it need to be 3", if one part is 2" then it all slows down?

[Saltbush Bill]

The two inch will be the bottle neck where ever it is imo.
2 inch columns are slow , always have been always will be.
2 inch plated columns are pretty much a waste of time imo, unless you drink very litte or want to spend a lot of your life sitting next to a still.
There is a very good reason that the majority of both home built plated columns and commercial plated columns sold are 4 inch.

[Setsumi]

Not good at drawing so using excel
IMG_20230626_093120.jpg

I understand a pipe that is not packed is a riser.

So if I put a 3" column under a 2" column it will go at the speed of a 2"? ie no faster.
while in reflux on a packed column

If I have a 3" bubble plate with a 3" column above it and both under a 2" dephlegmator will it go faster than a 2" bubble plate under a 2" dephlegmator?
Or to get more speed do i need a 3" dephlegmator?
no, a 2" will work if properly sized
In other words
I have a 2" product condenser.
To get more speed does everything under it need to be 3", if one part is 2" then it all slows down?

No and a 2" product condenser is plenty. The speed on a potstill relates more to heat input and PC than rizer diameter within reason.

[Setsumi]

Not good at drawing so using excel
IMG_20230626_093120.jpg

I understand a pipe that is not packed is a riser.

So if I put a 3" column under a 2" column it will go at the speed of a 2"? ie no faster.
while in reflux on a packed column[/color]

If I have a 3" bubble plate with a 3" column above it and both under a 2" dephlegmator will it go faster than a 2" bubble plate under a 2" dephlegmator?
Or to get more speed do i need a 3" dephlegmator?
no, a 2" will work if properly sized
In other words
I have a 2" product condenser.
To get more speed does everything under it need to be 3", if one part is 2" then it all slows down?

No and a 2" product condenser is plenty. The speed on a potstill relates more to heat input and PC than rizer diameter within reason.