I did promise I would write about my still design once I learned how to post some pictures. Atm the still is in design by my local blacksmith and those pictures I will try and provide those once my setup is built (Probably by the end of this year. Getting materials at this time is a bitch).
Before I go into the schematic I want to avoid being yelled at too much so I want to make some things clear:
This was an Idea between an electrician and an engineer wanting to have a good drink and designing the still was happening before I started using these forums for information and references. People here so far have been super nice and provided clarifications and I know I will get ample criticism for trying to reinvent the wheel and not going with established practices. We will fix what we can and replace what we can't.
The still might appear big for some (not for hobby use) and is still undecided if it will be 100L or 200L, but the reason for this is first of all Time and 2nd of all to have to not worry about managing the still temp and focusing on what is coming out of it. In my country, it is legal to distill up to 50L of alcohol for self-consumption a year(not for selling).
When ppl will see my writing controlling my still with temperature some of you might experience a temperature rise
, and I am aware of the trope of ppl asking about vapor temp and controlling distilling with that. In this context temperature control has a different meaning as seen below.So the following crude schematic is how this should work (we have done some calculations and on paper, it checks out), but as we are novices and are going in half-blind we would appreciate feedback if you see an error in our line of thinking:
Since all types of energy are getting more expensive every day and us having a forest available to us we wanted to make a still where we could precisely regulate the power input while burning wood. The still has a double bottom where water will heat the still. This will also prevent scorching in the still itself so it is another bonus.
The valves will be controlled either via PLC, rasperry pi or an ardruino(TBD) and the controller will also read the temperatures.
The wood oven is rated for 30KW and is equipped with its own safety.
If we observe the following calculation:
P = Q * f * c * deltaT
Where:
P = power[W], Q= flow [m3/s], f = density[kg/m3], c = specific heat [J/Kg K], deltaT = change of temperature[degC]
We have a calculation of parameters that will ensure constant power input into the still, therefore eliminating the need to check either the wood oven or the still. The schematic currently lacks a safety valve and will be implemented as a closed system can be dangerous. Also, the medium for heating will not be just water but water mixed with glycol to prevent unnecessary pressure build-up due to water vapor.
I did not do a thorough check on the forums for similar designs but I did search for terms to see if a similar topic was already addressed. If this is already addressed somewhere I would welcome a link.
Also, this all looks hella expensive, but most parts used will be what we have lying around.
All advice and criticism are welcome