Home Distiller

I'm building a flute. Parts in the mail.

I want to make the entire column out of borosilicate (Pyrex).

I've tried to search the forums but can't find much info on glass columns, only sight glasses and such.
I did see Glassmans setup but that different than what I have in mind.

Any of you see any problems with using that much glass in the vapor path?

Thanks

Safety wise and ease of build yes problem.

Look at Mash Rookie's mugs build.

A glass column the size of a flute, even borosilicate, could cause on impressive, sudden fire if it broke. Not only dangerous, but the ol' homeowner's insurance wouldn't cover it and jail's not pleasant. I see how cool it would be, but way past my risk tolerance and I used to do refinery startups for a living.

It would be an awesome learning tool....and look quite impressive.

But I bet after ya git a bunch a runs under your belt you would never need the visual aid...At that point it would be like staring into the camp fire only....

I'm sure more glass queries will be forthcoming and some solutions will surface....Just be warned and most of all,,, be careful.

And my wife thinks Im crazy.

My biggest fear would be dropping it carrying it over to put it on the boiler. And where would you store it? Can't just throw it in the closet like I do my copper still. I would be wrapping it in bubble wrap locking it up in a safe.

How you plan to support the weight of the condenser. So it doesn't put the column in a bind?

Here's a glass column ponu I made a while back...Did not have any issues....It was rather nice to be able to physically see the head shots taper into the hearts...I used cork gaskets to allow for any expansion between the plates....Glass is indeed nice, easy to clean and makes watching more interesting...

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 17&t=17545

Thanks to everybody for the quick replies.... And Ozone, that things badass...

I'm definitely going for it. I really want to be able to see everything that is going on.

This is a rough sketchup drawing of what I have in mind. The little guy to the left is just a dephlag i have mocked up with a glass case, asthetics only.
The Pyrex is from greatglas.net. 3.5" OD x .295"wall x 30" long. Pretty heavy stuff. $110 shipped.

2x Stainless slip-on pipe flanges McMaster p/n: 44685K36 - need to be machined for o-ring fitment - 5/16" threaded rod to sandwich the glass(not too tight)
3" butt weld Stainless Tri-clamp ferrules from GVC - will be welded to the flanges
Various adapters and PTFE from GVC as well.
3" Copper Pipe - 1ft long - dephlag
2" Copper Pipe - 2ft long - Shotgun
Copper Fittings and Adapters are from Pexsupply
I've always wanted to start working with a lathe, so I got a Harbor Freight special on the way. The little 7x10 guy...

I started on the Shotgun Condenser last night... Here's some pics(iphone is all I have with me offshore)
I work with AutoCAD as well as Inventor. Printed templates to scale with center marks for cutting and punching the end caps.
I guess I hit the limit on pics. Please, all critique is welcomed.

J

More Shotgun pics. 15% silver solder for these with oxy/acetyline.

Waiting on parts now....

I love where this is going! Keep up the pics!

Odin wrote:I love where this is going! Keep up the pics!

sure thing...brazing right now

I was thinking a bit the same way. Only with the dephlag lowered in the glass coloumn ... And some copper packing instead of bubble plates

for some reason i'm intrigued by these plates. must. have. plates.

Or something like this?

http://www.solution.com.my/pdf/BP681(A4).pdf

or

http://ct-cr4.chem.uva.nl/distillation/

Got some shiny stuff in today. Along with a how-to book for the lathe. It should show up Tuesday, hopefully before we go back offshore.
I also played around with some templates in AutoCAD. I'm trying to figure out the optimal pass-thru % for vapor according to other builds. I've seen a couple builds with 32 holes @ 1/8". With a 2.9" ID, that gives roughly 6.5% pass-thru. I'm going to build two sets of plates to begin with so that I can compare both. The second set will be 88 holes @ 1/16, which gives a 4.1% pass-thru. Can anyone give any thoughts on how this will affect the performance. I'm sure the smaller % will drive up the head pressure in the boiler a bit.

This is the copy of the templates I've made. The smaller two are for the shotgun condensor, already made with 5 x 1/2" holes. They are to scale if printed...
My dephlagmator will be made with the template on the bottom right. 5 x 5/8"OD copper pipe and 4 x 1/2"OD copper pipe.

Hi shinendine. There is a template on here somewhere that I used with about 180 x 1/16 holes. I think that's 30%?

WOW!!! 160 on each plate?

180 on each plate. I can't find it right now I'm working? But I think that you need around 30%, with 1/16 holes working the best.

KoH, correct me if I'm wrong buy 30% pass thru seems like a lot.

My calcs suggest around 4-8% pass through on some of these other Flute builds.

For instance, OD suggested 3/16" holes @ 30 holes on a 4" column.

Considering 4" column ID at 3.87". Thats 11.75" area
3/16" hole @ 0.0275 area x 30 holes = 0.828" area
That gives 0.70% pass-through

But if 30% is working for you, I guess it don't matter right? I have never seen one of these things in action but i'm thinking you have a more "subtle' bubble action going on there?????

OD made a mistake on the 3/16 number. He meant 3/32, but if you ask him 1/16 is best.

lol, yeah, I just read that, literally just was reading when I saw that post...

I'm still confused though. 30 holes at 3/32" would allow even less pass-through, at 1.8%, surely that can't be right. You are cutting off the flow by over 98%......giving really high head pressure right????

shinendine wrote:lol, yeah, I just read that, literally just was reading when I saw that post...

I'm still confused though. 30 holes at 3/32" would allow even less pass-through, at 1.8%, surely that can't be right. You are cutting off the flow by over 98%......giving really high head pressure right????

the pipe ID is 4in. Also you have the down comers that will equalize pressure. See this post for the plate pattern.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 17&t=27741

I can visualize how the downcomer will help EQ. I'm just such a "hands-on" person. I usually have to see something to fully understand.

That said. I'm sticking with my 34 holes @ 1/8". I love the discussion about variable pass-thru (especially during the run) and I have a few ideas i want to try on that. This is going to be a learning experience(2 weeks ago, I didn't know anything about reflux) and I plan to try literally everything.

Also, I've read about wire mesh being used, going to try that as well.

We use these at work to filter soda-lime pellets in our divers gas reclaim unit. REALLY fine mesh on the opposite side than pictured. Gonna give them a try too...

shinendine wrote:I can visualize how the downcomer will help EQ. I'm just such a "hands-on" person. I usually have to see something to fully understand.

That said. I'm sticking with my 34 holes @ 1/8". I love the discussion about variable pass-thru (especially during the run) and I have a few ideas i want to try on that. This is going to be a learning experience(2 weeks ago, I didn't know anything about reflux) and I plan to try literally everything.

Also, I've read about wire mesh being used, going to try that as well.

We use these at work to filter soda-lime pellets in our divers gas reclaim unit. REALLY fine mesh on the opposite side than pictured. Gonna give them a try too...

Sodasorb Filters.JPG

Sure, just make it so you can change it out if your not happy with it.

King Of Hearts wrote:
Sure, just make it so you can change it out if your not happy with it.

Oh, most certainly, everything will be modular...

more progress = more pics

We left before the lathe and the glass showed up today, but I did get the 2" and 3".

I should finish the dephlag tonight....

It's 1/2" ID x 9" long inside 3"

for a still this size, I'd recommend you start out with approx 80 of the 1/16" holes in your plates, and then if you feel you need to increase your open area, you can just drill more holes.

Nice lookin work, keep it up
hope that helps,

NcHooch wrote:for a still this size, I'd recommend you start out with approx 80 of the 1/16" holes in your plates, and then if you feel you need to increase your open area, you can just drill more holes.

Nice lookin work, keep it up
hope that helps,

Lmao. I just got done drilling 135. How many do you have Hooch?

More Pics

shinendine wrote:

NcHooch wrote:for a still this size, I'd recommend you start out with approx 80 of the 1/16" holes in your plates, and then if you feel you need to increase your open area, you can just drill more holes.

Nice lookin work, keep it up
hope that helps,

Lmao. I just got done drilling 135. How many do you have Hooch?

ohoh .....lol ... 80 ...

but I'm starting to get the impression that the number of holes is directly proportional the the max takeoff rate your still can achieve ... so you're prolly fine.

'course it goes without sayin that the more holes in the plates, the more power you'll need to keep the liquid on them.