Column Connection Options
Since the connection between the boiler and column must provide both an airtight connection and mechanical stability to a potentially tall and heavy column, the connection between them should be carefully executed.
There are many different methods for the connection, and the one you choose will largely depend on your talents and available resources, and of course your boiler choice.
If you are just doing sugar washes or are careful in clearing and racking, and using a keg as a boiler, you'll probably lean towards the Tri-clamp or Tri-clover method
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =16&t=9974 -
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8410, with or without and NPT adapter soldered to the column, or use an
easy flange. This is probably the most common boiler connection method, and is very fast to connect or disconnect. Eternal Frost has a great tutorial on creating a electric fired keg boiler without any welding
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8410 . The beauty of this setup is that a 2" triclamp can mate directly with the flange on top of a standard Sankey keg, and a 2" triclamp ferrule can be brazed into a 2" copper column. If you are using a proper triclamp ferrule, you can use the PFTE envelope gaskets and shave down the "ring" on one side with a knife to seal against the flat Sankey flange. If you opt for an easy flange, you will need to find another type of gasket, such as natural cork, PTFE sheet, or use flour paste. The triclamp and sankey keg combo is by far the most popular column connection used by distillers today. Some opt for getting a larger flange welded onto the keg for a larger column, or to provide access into the boiler. The lack of access into an unmodified keg is its biggest drawback, though this will not be a problem unless you plan on running on the grain or pulp for all grain whiskey or fruit brandies.
In the past, many distillers used a inverted mixing bowl on top of a pot or a cut keg, although this technique provides good access to the interior of the boiler, a large amount of sealing is required, and you still have to seal the column to the bowl.
One of the more simple and cheap solutions for a stock pot boiler using a bolted on end cap is found in the pictures of Pikluk's Boka reflux build
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5829 .
Making a connection out of a sink drain fitting is an option
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=16496 .
For distillers with fabricating skills, a connection can be build out of a welded copper plate with buttresses
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =17&t=8549.
Australians and New Zealanders may have access to Copamate flanges
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =17&t=8549 .
If all else fails, you can connect using brute force welding
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =17&t=7305 .