Preheater design question

[NZChris]

It's a twin setup using a washing machine double solenoid to feed both.
Each solenoid feeds into about a square foot of reservoir which overflows into it's Liebig. This smooths the on/off effect.
The supply flow rate is set to the maximum I think it will need during the run.

I'm toying with the idea of using a PID to smooth it even more, but there it isn't any real advantage to it and the solenoid would have to operate far more often.

[shadylane]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4zVJjDpxxU" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Pikey]

Thank you shadylane - I missed that one sneaking in completely - It's clearly a great example of what we're talking about here - he even says "We're using a brandy still to make whiskey "

[The Baker]

Is this the design you're referencing Pikey?
image.jpeg
From this early publication?
image.jpeg
Quite an exhaustive read. It is difficult to answer your question without spending more time studying the design. Perhaps others are familiar with it. Sorry I can't help much at this time.
ss

The explanation:

Fig. 12.—Dorn's Compound Still.

The principle of compound distillation is well shown in Dorn's apparatus, Fig. 12. This consists[43]
[44] of a still or boiler A having a large dome-shaped head, on the interior faces of which the alcoholic vapors will condense. Thus only enriched vapors will pass up through goose-neck B to the mash heater D. C is a worm the end of which passes out to a compartment E through an inclined partition F. From the compartment E a pipe e leads into the still A. An agitator H is used for stirring the mash, so that it may be uniformly heated. A pipe d provided with a cock allows the mash to be drawn off into the still A. From the highest point of the compartment E a pipe M leads to condensing coil K in a tub J of cold water, having a draw-off cock I.

At the exit end of the condensing worm K the tube is bent in a U form as at L, one arm of which has a curved open-ended continuation n, through which the air in the worm is expelled. The other arm opens into an inverted jar l containing a hydrometer, for indicating the strength of the spirit. The spirits pass off through m into a receiver.

In operation the mash is admitted into the heater D through G until the heating tank is nearly filled. A certain amount of mash is then allowed to run into the still A through the pipe d. The cock in d is closed and the fire lighted.

The vapors from the still are condensed in worm C and the condensed liquid drops down into compartment E. Any vapor passing through B and C so highly heated as to be uncondensed in[45] coils C passes through the layer of liquid in compartment E, collects in the highest portion of the compartment and passes through pipe M to coil K where it is entirely liquefied. If the liquid in E rises beyond a certain level it passes through pipe e back to the still. Any vapors which may collect in the upper part of D pass into the small bent pipe opening into the first coil of worm C. Water for rinsing the heater D may be drawn through cock s from the tub J and warm water for rinsing the still, through pipe d from the heater.

Geoff

[NZChris]

Dorn might have been over-thinking it.