Still with bubble plates

[rednose]

Yes, in my case I want the deplagmator or condenser to fill the plates with liquid as soon as possible to stabilize the head.

The idea came to me from a design of a Mansfield still in the book "Distillation Principles and Processes" from Syney Young (1922).

I will go for three plates, they should give the same affect as 3 thumpers, for whiskey.

In case that I want neutral spirit I can add 3 or 4 plates later as my head and deplagmator is screwed together.

The photo of the bubble caps is borowed from Decoys collection.

I'm fighting with myself on the question: copper or SS?

Has anyone got any designs for a dephlegmator?

[rednose]

Today I took the decision to make the new head in SS but the bubble caps will be in copper to filter the sulphates.

I will make the head in two parts, one has 3 plates and another 4 plates, in total 7.

To make neutral I'll use 7 and for whisky only 3 plates.

The deplagmator will have a waterflow valve to regulate the temperature.

Diameter will be 6", my apollo worm will serve as the product condenser but maybe one day I'll try a SS shotgun condenser.

If someone has an idea what I should change in the built please let me know.

I will make photos during the built and post 'em when finished.

[kiwistiller]

Take LOTS of photos mate. I'm especially interested in your bubble plate design / fabrication. how are you going to go about joining the two sections? massive triclamp?

[rednose]

The unions will be srewed (6 x 1/4" screws each) with a teflon seal between the 1/4 rings, Kiwi.

The interesting part for me will be the sight glasses, there are two ways: an expensive but easy or unexpensive and more time to do 'em.

Not sure yet neither how to manage the part of LED ilumination, but comes time - comes idea.

Estimated material cost is 1000 USD.

how are you going to go about joining the two sections? massive triclamp?

[kiwistiller]

oh sight glasses as well... you tease. when's it due to be done? I got my 6" copper pipe for 200NZD

[rednose]

Man, that's a steal.

I would like to work with copper but couldn't get it, they only sell 6m long and that's by far too much cost, just for the hull.

Until I have all the material together and working on it, hmmm maybe two weeks to finish.

oh sight glasses as well... you tease. when's it due to be done? I got my 6" copper pipe for 200NZD

[kiwistiller]

Man, that's a steal.

less than scrap prices not sure if I'll actually be able to use it for anything practical on my scale though, but couldn't pass it by

[olddog]

Just send it to me Kiwi,

[rednose]

What about a donation to a poor 3rd world country like EC?

[kiwistiller]

what will I get back?

[rednose]

I warm "Thank you" and maybe a fine, unaged, caramel colored bottle of Uncle Joe's UJSSM wikki.

what will I get back?

[kiwistiller]

ha I meant from OD (bit closer to kiwiland)

[rednose]

I managed this week to cut almost all parts of the new stills, it's missing to solder 'em but the TIG welder didn't arrive yet, hope I have it till wednesday.

Yes, you was reading right, I said "stills"

I'm building two sections of still heads, one of 3 and one of 4 plates each with an own detachable deplagmator.

In case that I want higher ABV with less flavor as vodka, I mount both heads on the same boiler.

When I want whisky with flavor I use the heads seperate and can run two stills with 300 ltr boilers at the same time.

It has been a lot of work, especially machine work but for something these kind of stills (like Holstein) cost some ten thousands.


I will post the pics when we start to ensamble the parts

[olddog]

I can't wait to see some pics Joe

[rednose]

Your built of the EVIL TWINS helped me a lot to understand the basics of distilling technics OD, thanks a million for that.

Joe

I can't wait to see some pics Joe

[olddog]

My pleasure Joe.

[rednose]

Little update on the built.

We made the worm condensors today and welded the boilers.

Hopefully and at the end the TIG welder should arrive tomorrow (wow), we need it to solder the bubble plates and columns.

I also had a problem to get the right glasses for the sight glasses, they should be ready next week.

Also missing yet the security valves for pressure and vacuum, but hope to get 'em soon.

Don't forget that I'm living in a third world country and it's not like shopping in USA.

Joe

[WalkingWolf]

Joe - Joe - Joe
I'm not alone when I say your killin' us. Can you a post at least one small, shady out of focus snap shot just to tide us over till the BIG FINISH??

WW

[rednose]

Ok, Ok, I didn't want to take pics in crude work but here we go.

First a pic of the both stills, on the right you see one worm condenser.

The buddy in the middle is one of my helpers.

[rednose]

Here the same body whil making a condenser, 7 windings of 3/4 SS tube.

worm condenser

Next photo a view through the deplagmator (all uncleaned=> DIRTY)

Ends with 1" thread to connect to the condenser

deplagmator

[rednose]

Last but not least two photos of the bubble plates with downcomer, vapor tubes and bubble caps.

All pics are token in the mechanic workshop of a very good friend of mine.

[rednose]

Additional explanation

The stills have a 300 Ltr boiler but max load till the feed door is 250 Ltr.

One head has 3, the other 4 bubble plates but I can disable one in the 4 plate head to have them almost equal running.

I can mount both head together and produce higher ABV but they will run mostly in whiskey mode.

[LWTCS]

Those bubble caps are the exact design of my in-line thumper.

Cept my bubble cap floats, as it is a heavy bastard.

[rednose]

Not bad idea to put weight on 'em Larry.

Mine I have to touch copper plate the SS disks to soft solder.

Those bubble caps are the exact design of my in-line thumper.

Cept my bubble cap floats, as it is a heavy bastard.

[LWTCS]

For my purposes, the floating cap works well for clean up.
Also while charging my boiler, I have the thumper pot in position with the float (cap) off. The thumper pot acts as a catch all so if I have any spilling while pouring in the was to the boiler.

It keeps the mess off of the floor more easily.

I really like your layout skills. Very orderly and well balanced. Looks to be very professional.

[rednose]

The new home for the boilers is almost done, can heat with propane or wood.

[Barney Fife]

Sweet!

[rubber duck]

Who laid that brick? A guy that can preform work like that is worth his weight in gold.

Rubber Duck

[LWTCS]

Sure does look good Joe.

Out of curiousity,,,,how come you didn't install an ash pot on the floor of those fire boxes?

No matter. Recon a staff member will be swabbin those out on clean up days.

Also curious about your new found consulting role. A neighborly visit,,,or did they put you on the payroll?..........as if it were our nosey business........

[rednose]

That's the work of Meastro Marcelo, I pay him 15$ a day.

He isn't good in math but getting a brickwork together he knows pretty well.

He made parts of my hotel before.

Who laid that brick? A guy that can preform work like that is worth his weight in gold.

Rubber Duck