boiler short n fat or tall n skinny

[shadylane]

I assume short and fat is good.
What are the advantages and disadvantageous of different height to width ratios.

[rad14701]

Research HETP's...

[shadylane]

I was asking about boilers.

[Odin]

More evaporation square inches for a broader, wider boiler. Go from there ...

Odin.

[Bushman]

Here is a link to the same subject.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 17&t=29790

[rad14701]

Doh...!!! "Boiler", not "column"... Never mind...

[shadylane]

Doh...!!! "Boiler", not "column"... Never mind...

Sorry, guess I didn't ask the question right. I was curious about the best shape for the pot?
I have read about almost everything except the best boiler size ratio.
Most of what we use for boilers is already decided by what we can get.
But what about designing a boiler. Lets assume a hobby still 5-20 gallon

[Knightknight00]

Interesting I'd like to know the same thing....I'm no YoYo but I asked the same question?
Now I can assume But we know where that leads...or go by what I know about evaporation from being a Very well established Chef for the last 30 Yrs.

I Know that wider mouth means faster and more steam evaporation. That being said Taller is going to take longer for equal evaporation. But this has nothing to do with the answer to the question.
The reason I say this is that is alcohol like water, is the evap. at the same rate as water? obviously alcohol is first...but do you get any benefit from having a taller body and the remainder that do not go through the tube drop back down and are re distilled all in one process? Or the large diameter taht will give you very quick boil?steam and be moving twice as fast down to the worm, in which case you will now have to slow it down in order not to make it "hot"

Jus saying? How far am I off base?
Thanks!

[Prairiepiss]

The amount of liquid turned to vapor will be determined by the amount of heat put into an amount of liquid. So you should get the same amount of vapor from a skinny boiler as a fat one. The head space should be the same amount in either so this shouldn't change much either.

The biggest difference I could see is if using gas to heat it. A fat boiler would have a greater surface area on the bottom. This would give a better heat transfer from the burner to the boiler. Also spreading the heat a little more evenly. Making it a little more efficient. So this could make a noticeable difference.

An internal element would be the same efficacy with either boiler. But if its to fat then you would need more wash in it to keep the element covered at all times.

So which is best? Depends on many variables that haven't been given yet.

[Knightknight00]

Good Info...Thanks

[shadylane]

I assume short and fat is good.
What are the advantages and disadvantageous of different height to width ratios.

I posted this question about boilers awhile ago.
This is what I found out by trial and error.
On electric powered pots, a short and fat boiler is less likely to foam up and puke.

[googe]

I recently tried a different keg I had, it's the same capacity but a bit narrower and taller, my still runs really well on this keg!, it runs good on the other one but with this keg the runs seem much more stable, didn't think it would make that much difference. Same wash, heat, charge size as normal

[FreeMountainHermit]

Boilers should be SNF. Wimmenz should be tall and skinny. Closer to the bone the sweeter the meat.

FMH.

[Ol Roofer]

I run a 20 gallon copper pot and its short and fat. I heat it with a propane burner and it works great. But the best thing about it is its easy to clean don't make it any taller then you can reach the bottom to clean. Just in case you run it too hot and it gets burnt like Ive done while learning how to run it starting out.

[Hound Dog]

I don't have anything to back it up but it would seem to me to agree with Odin and FMH on this. Besides, to me a shorter boiler would leave more room for column space. My crap is too tall now strapped to a truss to keep it steady.

[FruitiePie]

My vote is for the shortnfat. mostly because my current pot, being used out of convenience is one of those stainless pop canisters. it pukes without fail.... by the time it settles down I have less that 2.5 gallons from a four gallon fill. my next pot is a donated stainless flask that used to be slung under a cow being milked. I really love the look and hope it does not puke.

[Odin]

Less space above the fluid / under the column gives a more stable column functionality. Important with VM/LM operations. Small pressure drops easily disrupt equilibrium and plates (HETP).

Odin.

[Hound Dog]

Less space above the fluid / under the column gives a more stable column functionality. Important with VM/LM operations. Small pressure drops easily disrupt equilibrium and plates (HETP).

Odin.

Thanks for throwing that tip out there Odin. I have not heard that before. So it is beneficial on a LM setup to try and run at maximum charge for the best stability during a run? I will have to pay better attention to that and see what level works best for my set up.

[FruitiePie]

odin, would this max fill suggestion apply regardless of pot proportions? I know that if I am doing a spirit run I fill to max, because I am confident of no foaming/puking. would the pot proportions affect the foam/puke potential of a regular wash, be it sugar, all grain, fruit or whatever?

[Odin]

Hounddog, the answer is yes. A more filled boiler makes for a more stable run.

FP, puking is a problem in whatever boiler design you have. Make sure you de-gass or do a strip run, prior to filling the boiler up. Also take into account higher abv low wines expand more during heat up. And liquids entering the boiler will create blockage and flooding.

Odin.

[drinkingdog]

If you are planning a reflux column to put on top of your boiler then short and fat would be beneficial if your head space is restricted. So depending on ceiling height short and fat could give you the extra room for the length of column you need for your still