Column Packing Dirty

crackher · Post by **crackher** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 10:15 am

I have noticed that after only two runs the columns packing (copper scrubbers) get very dirty. I change it now every run (depending on how it looks). But I also noticed that only the uppermost 8" or so is black and very brittle. It also has a black powered that is dusting off it when moved.

a) what is this stuff???
b) am I packing my column too tight towards the top of the column, since only the top 8" is dirty?

Swag · Post by **Swag** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 11:05 am

Are you sure those are pure copper scrubbers? Copper coated steel scrubbers would turn black like that.

furball · Post by **furball** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:36 pm

Check them with a magnet. If there is an attraction then you have copper colored steel scrubbers.

Furball

Uncle Remus · Post by **Uncle Remus** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:18 am

I would advise you to buy some structured copper packing. It's heavier and more durable and you KNOW that it is pure copper. Places like Brewhaus sell it, it's not very expensive.

Don Ventura · Post by **Don Ventura** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 6:41 am

why do ppl not use rashig rings? just curious, seems like a nice way to get the most surface area out of your column and they are reuseable... throwum in the dish pit and then sanitize, no?

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DAMN NOOB QUESTIONS!!!

Uncle Remus · Post by **Uncle Remus** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 7:18 am

I guess cuz I bought structured packing first and have never had to replace it.

Swag · Post by **Swag** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:36 am

Don Ventura wrote:why do ppl not use rashig rings? just curious, seems like a nice way to get the most surface area out of your column and they are reuseable... throwum in the dish pit and then sanitize, no?

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DAMN NOOB QUESTIONS!!!

Rashig rings don't have as much surface area as structured packing does. They are not as efficient as scrubbers or copper screen.

knuklehead · Post by **knuklehead** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:34 am

Don Ventura wrote:why do ppl not use rashig rings? just curious, seems like a nice way to get the most surface area out of your column and they are reuseable... throwum in the dish pit and then sanitize, no?

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DAMN NOOB QUESTIONS!!!

Swag is right. Rashig rings for a home scale still are not nearly as effective as mesh. Below a 4" column you are better off using mesh, after that rashing rings are a more practical option and that is why commercial distilleries use them. I do have rashing rings which I bought because I thought if they are used in commercial application then they must be better, I found otherwise because of surface area, like Swag said. The thing with packing material is that it is super important to have it be consistent form top to bottom. You can't have one sock, roll, layer scrubber or what ever you want to call them be packed tighter then the next. If you do this effects the rate the vapour flows up the column and also the rate the liquid flows down the column. I use copper mesh and I know this form experience. I took some of my socks that where cut at 4 1/2' lengths and some at 3 1/2' lengths. Packed the column and did a run. The inconsistent packing greatly effected the purity of the output. The benefit of using a packing material such as rashig rings is that they do not compress so the packing will always be even. A 2" column is relatively easy to pack evenly with mesh where as a 10" column would not.

Don Ventura · Post by **Don Ventura** » Fri Apr 14, 2006 11:43 pm

Okay. he he he

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DAMN IM SOLD!!!

crackher · Post by **crackher** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:01 am

I thought that these would be pure copper, but perhaps not. The two runs I have completed with this still were great, although the first was better tasting. I will have to check if these are in fact 100% copper or not , thanks guys. Oh ya, anyone have a reason for only the top 8" of packing becoming dirty? Am I packing too tight? too loose?

knuklehead · Post by **knuklehead** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 2:45 pm

crackher wrote:I thought that these would be pure copper, but perhaps not. The two runs I have completed with this still were great, although the first was better tasting. I will have to check if these are in fact 100% copper or not , thanks guys. Oh ya, anyone have a reason for only the top 8" of packing becoming dirty? Am I packing too tight? too loose?

What do you mean by dirty? From my experience the lower end packing will become darker in color then the upper packing. I wouldn't really say it's "dirty" it's just darker.

crackher · Post by **crackher** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:07 am

Nope not with my still, the lower packing was almost clean (coppery colour) the top of the column (right near where the relux gets returned to the column) it gets really black and brittle

Hootch · Post by **Hootch** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:20 am

My packing stays clean at the top, and gets discolored at the bottom.

duds2u · Post by **duds2u** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:41 am

Most of us use copper in making our stills or at least copper packing to remove the sulphides. These have to go somewhere and my guess it them reacting with the copper that causes the discolouration.