Copper Scrubbers

[Cruisaire]

I came across these today at the market. They say "100% pure copper". Just another alternative brand to mention.

[Usge]

Brewhaus.com sells copper mesh in 30 foot sheet for 12.50.

http://www.brewhaus.com/Copper_Mesh_p/40003050.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Rod]

Hi Usge

I have a 5 litre super reflux still with ceramic saddles

I would like to take these out and replace with copper mesh

The hole on top is about 1 inch

will I be able to fill the condenser with the mesh

should I roll it like a cigar and put it through the hole on top ,

or should ramdomly stuff the condenser with as much mesh as i can get in

[Usge]

Hi Rod,
I would probably roll it or fold it. I don't imagine it would make much difference other than you don't want to get it so jammed up it blocks the vapor path and builds up pressure. (that ain't good either)

I just got some. I don't use reflux/column. I'm strickly copper pot. I got it to put up in my condenser to try and stop a huffing problem I've got. And I use it in my hot-modded glorified water distiller...to put a little copper in the vapor path (the coil on it is stainless). So, I'm not really the guy to ask about technical issues with how to pack yer column.

Plenty of guys around here use them though and can answer that question for you I'm sure.

[HookLine]

Roll it as evenly as possible into cigars (sausages). The more even and regular packing is the better it works.

For a 2" column cut the copper mesh into 1000-1200 mm lengths (40-48"). Cut them all the same length. Stretch it out on a table before you cut it, and also as you are rolling it up.

[Rod]

HookLine ,

if I understand correctly

I would end up with several copper sausages , which would fit into the condenser , much like a daisy flower . would they have to be very tight

There would be gaps between each sausage , would this enable vapour to pass straight thru

I would think with saddles there would not be direct path

[HookLine]

Packing is for the column section, before the reflux and product condensers. The reasons for a bit of mesh in the condensers are

1. to stop the surging (huffing and puffing) that sometimes happens, mainly in Liebig condensers. Put the mesh in the output end of the condenser, you shouldn't need more than about a few inches worth. It doesn't have to be rolled up as even as for column packing.

2. to increase the condensing efficiency of the condenser and plug any gaps where vapour might be leaking out. This is usually for coil condensers, and the mesh is usually stuffed loosely into the top half of the condenser, it is not rolled up nice and neat as for column packing.


The column packing should be snug enough not to fall out into the boiler, but loose enough to slide in with no problem and for you to be able to blow through the packed column fairly easily (ie it shouldn't restrict the vapour path).

Most distillers use some way of making sure the mesh stays in the column:

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http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s197 ... houtMe.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s197 ... hMeshR.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow


Column packing shouldn't have gaps between the sausages. Put them end-to-end.

[tracker0945]

HookLine ,

if I understand correctly

I would end up with several copper sausages , which would fit into the condenser , much like a daisy flower . would they have to be very tight

I think what Hook was meaning is that the sausage should be the same dia. as your condenser, not several side by side to fill the condenser.
This however may be difficult for you if I am correct in assuming that the hole through which you are trying to insert them will be smaller than the dia. if the column.

[HookLine]

HookLine ,

if I understand correctly

I would end up with several copper sausages , which would fit into the condenser , much like a daisy flower . would they have to be very tight

I think what Hook was meaning is that the sausage should be the same dia. as your condenser, not several side by side to fill the condenser.
This however may be difficult for you if I am correct in assuming that the hole through which you are trying to insert them will be smaller than the dia. if the column.

Ahh, yes, I did not completely understand what Rod was asking. Thanks for clearing that up, tracker.

Yes I meant a single sausage the diameter of the condenser or column.

Mesh sausages are usually put in through the bottom of the column, Rod. Is that possible in you still?

[Froggy]

Mesh sausages are usually put in through the bottom of the column, Rod. Is that possible in you still?

Not in the still he has.

I have the same still and what I did was make a ball shape with the copper mesh(not to tight) and push that down in side. I did this until the mesh was up to the take off point.

[Rod]

Froggy ,

did you get better spirit using the copper mesh than with the ceramic saddles

I am going to do half a batch with saddles and half with copper mesh

I am thrying to make flavourless and odourless vodka

[Rod]

The postman arrived as I wrote the last post

he had 3 metres of 100mm wide all copper mesh from Mikes Home brew

I tryed the sausage trick , but it was too loose

I removed the mesh and packed it tight using a chop stick at first and then my finger to finish

I had done 2 batches with the saddles , will do the last 4 with the mesh

we live in hope

Rod

[Rod]

Finished the batches with the mesh

decided improvement improvement in yield

saddles --- 82%

mesh ------87%

The quality with the mesh is decidely better , taste is very clean , amybe a little odour

may not have to polish the stuff from the copper mesh

been sniffing all day , will need to check tomorrow with a fresh nose

I still intend to dilute and add bicarbonate and redistill

[HookLine]

Sounds good.

Don't forget to leave the distillate from the first run sit on the bicarb for a few days before running it a second time, and stir it up once or twice a day.

I have a tall column, and do the bicarb trick, and don't have to polish with carbon. Also, aging vodka even for just a couple weeks improves the taste quite a bit more.

[Froggy]

Froggy ,

did you get better spirit using the copper mesh than with the ceramic saddles

I am going to do half a batch with saddles and half with copper mesh

I am thrying to make flavourless and odourless vodka

I noticed about the same improvements as you did. I now regularly get 87 - 88%.
It took me a bit to get my mesh right as I was trying to put too much into the column and it was choking the vapour.

[Cruisaire]

I'm sure Brewhaus is much better. I offered this up as an alternative to WalMart's brands. Choreboy isn't as available around here.

[Rod]

I do think I have had any problems

it seems to flow much the same as saddles , if anything a wee bit slower

Froggy , what do you mean by

It took me a bit to get my mesh right as I was trying to put too much into the column
and it was choking the vapour

so I am on the same wavelenght

[Froggy]

I originally put too much mesh in my column and the vapour was having a hard time working its way through.