Pre-prohibition whiskey still

[Bolverk]

Howdy all,

Found a cool old still design while reading The Distiller Harrison Hall (originally written in 1818).

20240224_104548.jpg

This design is basically a steam boiler that feeds into 2 separate double thumper setups. They aren't run consecutively, but one at at a time so that while one side is running the other can be cleaned and recharged, the idea being that there is very little down time between batches.

2 things strike me about this:
1. being the use of direct steam injection as a way to not have to ever worry about scorching your beer
2. traditional distillers beer was only about 5% so the extra thumper was necessary to get to proof up to an acceptable level.

(Sadly, there were no notes on what the thumpers were charged) with)

[bilgriss]

Steam distilling certainly can have some advantages.

Also, the stop valves (J) scare me. I'm sure it's intended for choosing path, one side or the other, but it also had the potential to just fully block the vapor path. Boom.

[Bolverk]

Agreed, some sort of safety PRV should be used.

[NZChris]

The two valves should be interlocked so that they cannot both be closed at the same time. Easier still, one three way valve with a gate that prevents it being turned to block the steam.

[zach]

singlings.jpg

from page 60, Singlings are low wines.

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Th ... YAAJ?hl=en

Here is another diagram from the same book. Looks like distiller's have always been resourceful, and steam ain't new. The book was published in 1818. Take a look at the relief valve that has a dual purpose to pre-heat the mash water for next batch in vessel W.

logstill.jpg

[Bradster68]

The two valves should be interlocked so that they cannot both be closed at the same time. Easier still, one three way valve with a gate that prevents it being turned to block the steam.

+1 if you search some topics, I believe someone here made one and posted pics how to link them for saftey

[Bolverk]

singlings.jpg from page 60, Singlings are low wines.

Missed that, thanks! Not too dissimilar to rum made in a double retort (Of course in that process they used high/low tails).

Not always easy to sit down and read when you've got a 4 or old jumping on/around you.