reflux still bends necessary

gonzoflick · Post by **gonzoflick** » Fri May 12, 2006 4:03 pm

Ok so I am totally new to this site and after a couple of hours reading, I love it. I didnt know a resource like this exsited out on the net and I am very glad as I have a couple of questions. I am builindg the internal reflux still off moonshine.still.com I wanted to know why the cooling pipes are just straight into the condensor for that still and stills like the one pictured below seem to bend around and take their time getting into the condensor. Is there a purpose for all those twists and elbows?

http://cgi.ebay.com/REFLUX-STILL-PLANS- ... otohosting" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

THanks a ton

Swag · Post by **Swag** » Fri May 12, 2006 4:27 pm

That still doesn't really have a condensor. It condenses the vapor in the column for reflux by running a couple of pipes straight through the column.
IMHO, this is an inferior design. There is no way to independently control the reflux condensor from the leibig, or output condensor.
To answer your question, it doesn't make any dirfference how you run your coolant to the condensor.
Which still are you making?

gonzoflick · Post by **gonzoflick** » Fri May 12, 2006 4:40 pm

I am making the internal reflux design off moonshinestill.com

is this a bad design? The plans seems to say it has a seperate condensor, surrounded by a coolant jacket. I already have the condendor column made minus the jacket and I have the 3 foot 2in copper for the reflux column.

pothead · Post by **pothead** » Fri May 12, 2006 4:55 pm

gonzoflick wrote:I am making the internal reflux design off moonshinestill.com

is this a bad design? The plans seems to say it has a seperate condensor, surrounded by a coolant jacket. I already have the condendor column made minus the jacket and I have the 3 foot 2in copper for the reflux column.

The design on moonshinestill isn't as good as the one in the link that you provided.
The internal reflux design is better if both "through tubes" are at the top. That way all of the condensed spirit drips back over the packing and comes in contact with the vapor through the whole column. Personally, I would rather have the valved reflux design that is at the moonshinestill website. It would give you much more controll, and a much cleaner and more pure product.

Swag · Post by **Swag** » Fri May 12, 2006 5:51 pm

Pothead makes a good point. The Nixon / Stone still (the other one) would be better for making pure vodka.
You may want to consider making a simple pot still. They are very versitile and easier to use than a reflux. I use mine much more that my reflux column. They're more fun to use too.

copperhead · Post by **copperhead** » Fri May 12, 2006 7:00 pm

dont mean to but in but i have a valve reflux still and have never used the reflux . i have always ran it like a pot still. i still get some reflux useing it this way. i get a higher abv than a pot. becouse of the tall colum but i have never ran it fully packed becouse i like the flavor i get from the mash.rum or grains i do like the opeion .though

Bujapat · Post by **Bujapat** » Fri May 12, 2006 10:58 pm

Hi Gonzoflick.
I have made this reflux still 10 months ago

It works great for me... I make vodka at 92 %ABV with it when packed with SS scrubs and cooled with water in the top of the column. I also make good whiskey when unpacked and not cooled.

So, I've made some changes to plans : 2 valves to control water flow, coolin' pipes higher in the column...
The boiler is a beer keg.

You can see pictures of the parts on my weblog (address under my signature). I'll post the plan drafts in a few minutes...

If you go this way, I can help...

Bujapat · Post by **Bujapat** » Fri May 12, 2006 11:16 pm

Here it is!

Bujapat · Post by **Bujapat** » Fri May 12, 2006 11:21 pm

Another view...

Bujapat · Post by **Bujapat** » Fri May 12, 2006 11:24 pm

And finaly a view from the top. Took the plane to make an aerial view!

akira7799 · Post by **akira7799** » Sat May 13, 2006 4:27 am

I thought it was satellite imagery.

Very nice plans Bujapat.

Dave

gonzoflick · Post by **gonzoflick** » Sat May 13, 2006 10:07 am

buja i sent you a PM

Bujapat · Post by **Bujapat** » Sat May 13, 2006 11:12 am

Gonzo, I answered your PM

gonzoflick · Post by **gonzoflick** » Sat May 13, 2006 1:30 pm

does your cold water enter the reflux from the bottom coolant tube? and if so, shouldnt the colder tube be the highest in the column?

Bujapat · Post by **Bujapat** » Sat May 13, 2006 11:25 pm

I'll reply with a new colored plan... But waitin' for it, have a look at this Decoy's post :http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 32&start=0

Bujapat · Post by **Bujapat** » Sun May 14, 2006 7:38 am

Gonzo, no time for colored plan... But, yes, cold water enter the reflux from the bottom coolant tube. Note it's easy to inverse : connect the cold water input garden hose to the top! The valves will be efficient too.
One reflexion : after a lot of readings, I decided to set the coolin'pipes higher than on the "moonshine still" plans, but I think they should be more high in the column...
In any case, as I said, it works very good for me. I make ± 10 l vodka/a year and a lot more of fruit and grain spirits. So highest purity and/or proof issn't my first goal.