LM Head on Top of Bubble Plate Column

[HeyBroChuckNorris]

I used the google search feature but didn't get very far, so apologies if this has been hashed out in the past.

This entirely theoretical at this point, but I've decided to put an extra element in my 35L Digiboil boiler (currently 1500W, want to add a second 1500W), mainly for stripping speed purposes. I started thinking, with 3000W, I could probably drive a 3" plated column (correct me if I'm wrong). I'd want to run 2 or 3 plates to try my hand at 1 and done whisky runs. I have one of These that I use on top my my 2" LM column and started wondering if I could use it instead of a traditional shotgun style CM reflux condenser. Would it be possible to use my entire LM head to control the reflux to the plates? Fixed cooling water rate for 100% reflux, then control offtake with the needle valve?

And if not, what about a VM head with that coil? I'm very confident that coil can knock down well over 3kW, so cooling power wouldn't be the issue, it just seems that pretty much every column I see uses a CM reflux condenser, and I am trying to avoid using a CM RC at all if I can avoid it.

Am I out to lunch?

[Yummyrum]

You can use both LM or VM on plated still ( CCVM also)

I switched my original CM plater to VM because I got the shits with it’s sensitivity to fluctuations in gas ( I ran outside )

I agree with you that that coil will piss it in with 3kw .

Go for it .

[Saltbush Bill]

3kw should be more than enough to run 3 inch.

[Yummyrum]

3kw should be more than enough to run 3 inch.

That
You’ll need a power controller on one of those 1500w elements .
3kw is happy area for a 4” plater

[Setsumi]

I run CCVM on my flutes, no worries. LM would run a charm.

[shadylane]

I started thinking, with 3000W, I could probably drive a 3" plated column (correct me if I'm wrong). I'd want to run 2 or 3 plates to try my hand at 1 and done whisky runs. I have one of These that I use on top my my 2" LM column and started wondering if I could use it instead of a traditional shotgun style CM reflux condenser. Would it be possible to use my entire LM head to control the reflux to the plates? Fixed cooling water rate for 100% reflux, then control offtake with the needle valve?

And if not, what about a VM head with that coil? I'm very confident that coil can knock down well over 3kW, so cooling power wouldn't be the issue, it just seems that pretty much every column I see uses a CM reflux condenser, and I am trying to avoid using a CM RC at all if I can avoid it.

Am I out to lunch?

What you have will do the job.
Just guessing, the coil pictured could knock down more than 3kw.
If the same 2" dia coil was in a 4" sight glass it could easily knock down 5kw or more due to slower vapor speed and longer dwell time.
Do you have a pic of the LM takeoff? The reason I ask is because what works best for a packed column isn't the same as what a plated column needs.
For a packed column a small LM takeoff cup works best, for a plated column a large cup that can catch more of the reflux works better.

[HeyBroChuckNorris]

What you have will do the job.
Just guessing, the coil pictured could knock down more than 3kw.
If the same 2" dia coil was in a 4" sight glass it could easily knock down 5kw or more due to slower vapor speed and longer dwell time.
Do you have a pic of the LM takeoff? The reason I ask is because what works best for a packed column isn't the same as what a plated column needs.
For a packed column a small LM takeoff cup works best, for a plated column a large cup that can catch more of the reflux works better.

Here is the cup on aliexpress and here is a youtube short showing it in action. The cup has two tubes, one going back down the middle of the column, and the other to the needle valve. the one going back down has a slight ridge to keep the bowl full. I get a solid temp-corrected 96%+ on a single run, but it is a bit slow, ~6-7 hours for a 30L charge.

I didn't measure the cooling water flow, but at full 1500W, it's barely a trickle which includes cooling the offtake through the mini liebig.

With that coil in a 4" sight glass, would it matter that there would be essentially a 1" gap between the outer coil and the inside of the glass?

[shadylane]

That 2" LM take off is well designed.
You can use it with the coiled RC driven @3kw with no problem.
The combination would match the needs of a 3" packed or 4"plated column.

[HeyBroChuckNorris]

I don't have a lot of metal work experience. What would you guys recommend to drill the hole in the side of the digiboil? It's 304 stainless, approx 2mm thick with an outside diameter of 31cm. I'll be using a weldless 1.5" triclamp bulkhead fitting, which I believe needs a hole size of 1 5/8".

I was thinking of a good quality hole saw, but also remembered seeing those chassis punch things you tighten down with a ratchet.

[Yummyrum]

Hey HBCN, drilling holes in SS can be a drama . The drill bits quickly get hot and loose their hardness , at the same time , the SS gets harder and harder as it is “worked” by the drill .

I found the trick is to make a mote around the drill area with blu tack or plasticine . Position a hose in the area and the drill will stay cool and cut through like a knife through butter .

viewtopic.php?p=7789802#p7789802

[Username]

Q Max or other brand hole punch are the way to go, I've even punched holes in a stainless keg for the same fitting you're talking about.

Very clean

[Roo]

That 2" LM take off is well designed.
You can use it with the coiled RC driven @3kw with no problem.
The combination would match the needs of a 3" packed or 4"plated column.

How would you best match it with 4" column?

How to transition from the 4" column to 2" LM and Dimroth (I think that is what they are called)? Presumably it would be OK for VM too?

[shadylane]

That 2" LM take off is well designed.
You can use it with the coiled RC driven @3kw with no problem.
The combination would match the needs of a 3" packed or 4"plated column.

How would you best match it with 4" column?

How to transition from the 4" column to 2" LM and Dimroth (I think that is what they are called)? Presumably it would be OK for VM too?

Spend $25 and buy a 4" to 2" Sanitary Pipe Reducer.
A VM takeoff is the worst option for a plated column because it has a narrow range of adjustment.

[Yummyrum]

I had a 1.25” valve on my 4” and it worked just fine when it come to making Rum . I did not ever bother stripping tails out after the hearts though . I can see that might be a problem with VM .Otherwise , it was a dream to run .