Home Distiller

I found the 3 way valve worked a treat.

Mine is layed out different, but works the same way. I had a bit more room, so I mounted it horozontally. I like the spider name, it does describe the area well, and it suits mine too.

Sounds like its all sealed up now. I ended up with the thermo well in the column to make the shotgun deflag manufacture a bit more simple, the plates are nearly flush with the ends, in case I have any issues.

Looking good.

I know this is an old post, but i found it full of good information. Good post to be bumped, and a lot of learning for us newbies. I'm sure USGE already solved this issue long ago, and it's a fairly dead thread, because he has it figured out and who knows if he's even using this still or set up anymore, but a couple points crossed my mind, and i thought i'd bring them up for more discussion.

2 thoughts.

First, I believe the OP said he was using the Needle valve for control that had colored rings that would show as the valve was opened or closed, showing where the valve was for repeatability. I was on the McMaster Carr website, and came accross a valve that sounded like it had the same settings, and perhaps could be the same one? If so, perhaps this has something to do with the issue he had...

From MMC website..
"Regulate flow in one direction while allowing fluid to flow freely in the opposite direction. Five colored rings on the valve stem represent different flow rates. Adjust the dial until you see the color of the flow rate you need. Valves can be installed to control flow as it exits the cylinder (meter out) or as it enters the cylinder (meter in)."
https://www.mcmaster.com/#needle-valves/=1bczmgg

It sounds like this valve allows flow to go in BOTH directions. So, maybe the Deph was draining out because the valve wasn't forcing coolant to flow in one direction, which i assume most valves do. If it allows coolant to flow freely backwards, what's to stop it from draining the Dephlegmator, the intial cause of his problems?

2nd

I'm just getting started with my own Dephlegmator set up. I've only done one run on it.. but.. I opted to just use 2 pumps. One pump is for the PC and one is for the RC. To me it saved me the trouble of having to configure a bunch of Ts, Wyes, or crazy hosing set ups. One inlet, one outlet. As per the suggestion from LWTCS, whom i bought the Dephlemator from, I put the needle valve on the OUTLET of the Dephlegmator, and plumbed it with the water IN at the bottom, and OUT, at the top. I realize that some do it differently, because their trying to establish that Temperature gradient, which is important on a Product condenser. But, being a Partial condenser, i'd think it would be less important to establish the gradient, and due to the small size of a Dephlegmator in the column as an RC anyways, i don't think you will establish a signifiacnt gradient anyways. The whole thing is going to heat up nearly the same throughout, perhaps a varience of a degree or two. I should also mention everything i have is in SS, no copper, so i'm sure there are some significant differences just because of that. I feel like I read on HD that Copper has 20X the Thermal efficiency of SS. Is this right, or did i misread that somewhere.

LWTCS also mentioned to me that he does not recommend Copper anywhere on the Condenser side. I know tons and tons of people on here use all copper for the whole set up. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on this, or any of the other points i brought up. Sorry for bringing up a Zombie thread, i just thought it had some great info in it, from some of the sharpest members on HD.

Also... USGE, not sure if you're on the forums anymore.. but...

Did you have success with this? Last we left off you had rebuilt the dephlegmator the 17th... er.. 3rd time, and had not yet tested it with product? Sooo... does it work? Gawd i sure hope so... this thread gives me a headache hearing about all your woes and difficulties, and if i read the word flow, output, 3 way T again i'd probably stab myself in the eye.

Kidding. Seriously though, sounds like quite an epic struggle, but that usually results in epic failure or epic glorious victory and gallon upon gallon of wonderful 96.5% pure as the driven snow neutral!!!!!! Sure hope you succeeded, or if not, at least took that Dephlegm out back and went old yeller OR Office space (anyone know what i mean there? Damn it feels good to be a gangster.)

Good thread, mate. Your problem solving, persistence, and engineering mindset are an inspiration to us all. If at first you don't succeed... ask on HD!!

Greetings! Yea, not online much anymore. I relocated shortly after this...and have more space, so I acquired a 4" modular Dash1 to play with. The water flow is basically the same setup as I had originally, with a T -line ...one going to RC, one going to PC, and a valve on the RC output/bottom to maintain level but it's fairly easy to use. It can get finicky at very low flow rates...ie., for the same reasons I discovered, but in general, because of the size differences, and flow rates...it's much easier to operate by comparison.

Interesting comment earlier about the valve!! YES, it was from McMaster Carr and very well could have contributed and the back flowing! Good observation!