Add buuble plates to a Buka

[Ronfire]

I currently have a 2" Boka that I run with scrubbers to produce 92-94% on a 10 gallon boiler. I am thinking of modifying to have a 3" bubble plate section with 4 or 5 plates and then use the top of the Boka for condensation and collection.
Would there be issues with this?
Would the output be faster?
Wondering if it is worth the effort for speed and quality improvement.

[Salt Must Flow]

I assume you mean a 'Boka' which is a LM with two slanted plates. If the highest quality neutral is what you're after, I wouldn't use any bubble caps/plates. You would be better off using a taller packed column or try upgrading the packing itself. Look into proper sized Lava Rock for instance. That alone would be a fraction of the price for parts and you'll hit 95%+ just doing that.

Packing withing the column is more efficient per inch height than any bubble caps/plates. Better packing would be even better.

[Yummyrum]

Also stripping wash before using a Boka will help significantly.
Plates are for Flavoured spirit . Great for Rum and Whiskey . Useless for Vodka or Neutral .

[Ronfire]

Thanks for the info. I do a stripping run and save the hearts for my whiskey ( cob based ) and the run the Boka with copper and SS steel pot scrubbers loosely packed in the column. . Happy with the product of the Boka I was thinking I could get more output with the 3" bubble plates.

[Yummyrum]

But to answer your question . Your Boka head should be able to work above plates . For example . My 2” LM/VM packed column still can handle up to 2400w ( before flooding) and my condenser in it can cope well .

I don’t run much more power than that in my 4” plated otherwise it drags tails through .
Seeing you are looking at only a 3” plater that will require less power before pulling tails , then your 2” Boka head should be able to cope .

It all comes down to how much power can that Reflux condenser in the Boka Knockdown .

[Ronfire]

My Boka condenser just trickles water to run now on the propane burner. Just wondering if there would be an advantage to go to a 3" bubble plate with the Boka condenser and collection plates other than it looks cool.

[drmiller100]

I found scrubbers or other packing more efficient than plates.
How tall is your packing?

[shadylane]

I currently have a 2" Boka that I run with scrubbers to produce 92-94% on a 10 gallon boiler. I am thinking of modifying to have a 3" bubble plate section with 4 or 5 plates and then use the top of the Boka for condensation and collection.

I've played with plates under a packed column and my opinion has changed over time.
Just guessing and depending on the design of the plates.
A 4" or bigger bubble cap plate would be needed to match a 2" packed LM.

Not to sound mean, but long story short, it's not worth the time or effort.
Ya wind up with the worst of both options and none of their best quality's.

As Bubba would say "Thars better ways to getter done"

[Ronfire]

Thanks for all input about adding bubble plates, think I will just stay with my tall Boka and get some copper mesh instead of the scrubbers.