2" modular CCVM

[BayouShine]

It feels good to be back in the groove again this winter. Work has kept me busy the majority of the year, but now I have enough free time to enjoy stilling and building again.

I finally finished up on my project from last year. It's a 2" CCVM with sightglass and shotgun condenser. I also built a 2" bokakob head that uses the same csst RC. The shotgun also fits my potstill head to do lightning fast stripping runs.

I finished up the cleaning runs this afternoon. During the sac EtOH run, I started learning how to operate the new still. I've read a ton of posts on this particular configuration, and it was almost as easy as everyone made it out to be. I only had about 3qts of feints in 5gal of water and was able to hit 92%ABV on my 3rd try at equalizing . I can't wait to see what it can do when I have a full charge of good wash and I get a little more time behind the wheel..

[GrassHopper]

That's a nice reading on that alc meter there Bayou. I am pleased with my results as well with the CCVM. Recently ran an all tails run of UJSSM in reflux and ended up with 4 gals of nice clean 93%. I was surprised to get such good results from an all tails run.
Topic: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =1&t=59383
Anyway congrats on your build.

[Crockodotsky]

Bayou,

Do you simply slide the coil up and down to regulate reflux?

[StillLearning1]

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... controlled

Bayou,

Do you simply slide the coil up and down to regulate reflux?

Yep. Check it out. When I build a reflux this will be it.

Edit: I can't get the link to post below your quote for some reason.

[Crockodotsky]

Saw that when Cranky suggested the DAD300 CCVM but didn't quite understand the mechanics. Question; Isn't there a bunch of vapor that escapes out the top? I'd love to see a picture of one from the top.

[Kegg_jam]

Saw that when Cranky suggested the DAD300 CCVM but didn't quite understand the mechanics. Question; Isn't there a bunch of vapor that escapes out the top? I'd love to see a picture of one from the top.

Only if you forget get to turn on the reflux.

[Crockodotsky]

Do you mean turn on the coolant flow?

[StillLearning1]

The coil at the top will condense 100% of the vapor in your colom. When you slide the coil it controlls how much vapor goes off to the the product condencer.

[BayouShine]

Bayou,

Do you simply slide the coil up and down to regulate reflux?

You're not really regulating the reflux. In this design, the reflux condenser acts as the valve on the traditional VM design. Raising the RC is like opening the valve and vice versa.

You can regulate the purity of your product by how well the column is packed and your takeoff speed.

[GrassHopper]

Bayou,

Do you simply slide the coil up and down to regulate reflux?

You're not really regulating the refulx. In this design, the reflux condenser acts as the valve on the traditional VM design. Raising the RC is like opening the valve and vise versa.

You can regulate the purity of your product by how well the column is packed and your takeoff speed.

This may or may not help. I just use a v-slotted piece of metal that slides between the coil to adjust the up and down of the RC to control % reflux and vapor take off speed in roughly 1/4" increments. I'm sure there are better ways to accomplish this, but this works.

[Crockodotsky]

Grasshopper, do you use a product condemser or does this design make it redundant. I didn't see one in the picture.

[choppinlow]

You still need a PC.

[thatguy1313]

His takeoff goes to a liebig that's out of the shot. I like that idea for controlling the height of the rc, grasshopper. Good use of the KISS method there!
Crockodotsky, when the coil at the top (the reflux condenser) is lowered in front of the takeoff it condenses all the rising vapor so it falls back down the column as reflux. When you raise the rc above the takeoff point it allows some of the vapor to take that route and had to the product condenser. I only have 40" of packing on mine and can easily get 93%. I can bump that up and hit azeo by running it slowly with the rc blocking about half of the takeoff. If I want to run flavored spirits I remove about half the packing and raise the rc all the way above the takeoff point.

[FreeMountainHermit]

How's the vapor directed into the take off ?

Honest question as the top of the column is open to the atmosphere so I'm missing something here.

[GrassHopper]

How's the vapor directed into the take off ?

Honest question as the top of the column is open to the atmosphere so I'm missing something here.

FMH,
When the RC is raised above the output on the T, the vapor starts toward the liebig and out the output tube. Vapor speed and reflux is controlled by the amount of the RC covering the opening of the output at the T. Also, the packing in the column slows the vapor speed so the vacuum in the output is not exceeded. My RC is 9" long with coiled copper, but on one of the Dad300 CCVM threads they are using corrugated SS gas line, which seems to be really easy to make. StillLearning1 posted a link above that shows some really good info.

[FreeMountainHermit]

Thanks grasshopper. Understood all that but as there's no pressure in the column I was wondering what pushes the vapor out.

$64,000.00 question

Thank you, sir.

[FreeMountainHermit]

Hold on a dang minute !!! Houston we have lift off.

Finally filtered through the fog.

Apologies .

[GrassHopper]

Hold on a dang minute !!! Houston we have lift off.

Finally filtered through the fog.

Apologies .

No need to apologize. My brain occasionally lights up too. Not very often, but occasionally. I lay in bed at night and dream
of vapor traveling and all those wonderful molecules filling my glass with clear gold.

[BayouShine]

Grasshopper, do you use a product condemser or does this design make it redundant. I didn't see one in the picture.

I think you may be confusing the LM and VM configurations.

In the VM design like this, you're taking product off in its vapor state, hence Vapor Management. It requires a condenser to knock the vapor back to liquid form.

In the LM design like the Boka or Rad's concentric rig, the vapors are condensed and collected in their liquid state. A product condenser isn't really needed, but a small condenser to cool the liquid off is a nice add on.

[thatguy1313]

Of course, not all of the vapor will decide to go out the takeoff. Some does still continue up towards the rc and is condenser and sent back down the column.

[Crockodotsky]

Grasshopper, do you mind sharing another pic of your system? Assuming your Leibig is downsteam of all those fittings, what are all the fittings for?

Having built the still head pictured below, I'm getting ready to do some needed modifications to help get my ABV above 75%. Looks like after removing the RC routing, I can simply extend the height of the column to accept a new CCVM coil.

[thatguy1313]

That would work. I would also reroute the coolant flow for your product condenser. If you haven't already make due to thoroughly read DAD300's posts on condenser controlled columns.

[GrassHopper]

Crockodotsky, here is the unit complete with liebig condenser. All the fittings are for modular changes I can make. For example, when I choose to run in pot mode, I have another 2" column with no packing that I just clamp on to the pot with tri-clamp and then clamp on that a 2" copper 90 and viola....I am in pot mode without having to remove the scrubbies using the same output with liebig setup. It's just for convenience. You could easily run the CCVM in pot mode just by removing the RC, the packing (not totally necessary), and cap the top.

[BayouShine]

Grasshopper, do you mind sharing another pic of your system? Assuming your Leibig is downsteam of all those fittings, what are all the fittings for?

Having built the still head pictured below, I'm getting ready to do some needed modifications to help get my ABV above 75%. Looks like after removing the RC routing, I can simply extend the height of the column to accept a new CCVM coil.

How tall is the pipe above your T? It doesn't have to be very tall. Mine is only 6" above the takeoff and I have plenty of adjustment to go.

[Crockodotsky]

It's only a few inches but really easy to sweat it off and add the appropriate length. Sounds like 6-10 inches above the tee is about right.

This thread has been a real help. Thanks all!

[GrassHopper]

It's only a few inches but really easy to sweat it off and add the appropriate length. Sounds like 6-10 inches above the tee is about right.

This thread has been a real help. Thanks all!

Mine is 8" above the top of the T. But I have a 9" RC. I had to add a little length to mine from the original photo (shown) due to vapor escape issues. Rad (I think) from another post set me in the right direction by informing me that I needed to add a little length above the Tee. Problem solved and it now works great.

[Crockodotsky]

Grasshopper, assuming your RC is 2", how long is the 1/4" tubing you used for your CCVM? Home Depot has the stuff for $9 for 10'. If my math is close, it looks like it will take around 6'. Also looks like using a length of 1.5" PVC pipe might work well as a mandrel for shaping the coil. What did you use?

Also, since I need to order another length of 2" pipe for the top of my still head, I could take the opportunity to add some length to the middle of the column. Is there a point of diminishing return on height...besides cost and the need for a ladder? I was thinking a 2' piece would allow me 10" for the top and 14" in the middle.

[GrassHopper]

Grasshopper, assuming your RC is 2", how long is the 1/4" tubing you used for your CCVM? Home Depot has the stuff for $9 for 10'. If my math is close, it looks like it will take around 6'. Also looks like using a length of 1.5" PVC pipe might work well as a mandrel for shaping the coil. What did you use?

Also, since I need to order another length of 2" pipe for the top of my still head, I could take the opportunity to add some length to the middle of the column. Is there a point of diminishing return on height...besides cost and the need for a ladder? I was thinking a 2' piece would allow me 10" for the top and 14" in the middle.

I didn't make my own RC. After messing up my first, I said screw it and ordered one from eBay. I built everything else, but that damn coily thingy really pissed me off. I am still havin bad dreams. So, I can't answer you how long the copper is. There are plenty of threads on here that tell how much you will need for a certain size. I know it is time consuming to search these things. Maybe someone can remember where it is? The 1.5 PVC might work. Test it.
That's one of the reasons I suggested the original thread by DAD300 where they used the ss gas pipe. So simple.
I also have another 2' section of 2" copper pipe with ferules for an extension I could add to my column. But, as you said, you will need a ladder to get to the RC. I don't do well on ladders. So, I just run my 30" main column with the T and the 8" above that and call it good.
It works just fine for me with the copper scrubbies packed in. I think I remember I read somewhere that around 60" height for 2" is about as much as would be beneficial. But, for what? That's the question. I don't have an answer. I am just a GrassHopper.

[thatguy1313]

That corrugated stainless gas line is the bees knees if you ask me. No worrying about kinking or not fitting and you can rewind it if you need to make adjustments. I don't know why you would use copper unless you just like the look.

[Crockodotsky]

Assuming I need 1/4" for a 2" column, I can't seem to find the stainless tubing. Further, most of the 3/8 tubeing is yellow. Not sure if that would be appropriate in a alcohol environment.