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I am looking to build my 2nd pot still with a 15.5gal keg. My questions start with
1. what is the best way to come off a 2" column to a 2" shotgun condenser?
2. Is a shotgun going to be good for a basic column with a little copper packing for reflux? Or is there a better setup?

Thank you for your wisdom in advance.

Tuned in.

So am I missing anything? I am looking at using a 2" jacket and 4 1/2" vapor tubes with 3 baffles for turbulence.

Hillbilly86 wrote:I am looking to build my 2nd pot still with a 15.5gal keg. My questions start with
1. what is the best way to come off a 2" column to a 2" shotgun condenser?

..using 2" copper!

Don't reduce going into your product condenser if you don't have to. Both are 2" shells...just turn a return bend (or two 90* elbows) and point straight down into the shotgun...as they like to run vertical.

Hillbilly86 wrote:2. Is a shotgun going to be good for a basic column with a little copper packing for reflux? Or is there a better setup?.

A shotgun is a "product condenser, especially on a potstill. You won't need packing for a potstill. Packing is for a reflux still.

And a "shotgun-style" condenser used for reflux is called a "dephlagemator". Its a special type of shotgun (multi-barrel) condenser. A dephlag in the column would turn your "potstill" into a CM (cooling managed) reflux still. But, you'll still need a product condenser to condense your (now purified) vapor.

Pick your poison.
ss

I have a 2" x 20" Shotgun Product Condenser from SD that I use for everything now. It can handle a lot of power.

With a lot of vapor and vertical, eventually you'll find a power setting where some vapor will fall right through the middle without hitting the side walls. Off vertical, even just a small amount lets gravity take the vapor to the walls.

I run it slightly off vertical...two 90 deg bends at the top allow you to turn the PC from vertical to any position you want for collection.

You need to have some reduction at the end. I have a 2" - 1/2" reducer and a piece of gauze in the end of that. It creates enough restriction that vapor doesn't "just fall" down the center.

Just to add my 2 cents...you should also think about how many vapor tubes you want in there.
The area is calculated by following formula: A = π × r2
Remember to subtract one material thickness on each side, to get the internal dimensions.
That way you can calculate how many tubes of a given size you can fit in there.

Yes i am using copper and thank you all for the help!
Now i do have something else to add how long should I go with the condenser?
I am looking to make a 24" column (however that's not set in stone) and I will be using propane for heat.

Between 500 and 600 mm, should be sufficient (20"-24").
A shotgun condenser is far more efficient than a Liebig same size.
If you build everything modular, it would be easy to swap equipment around...

Thank you Danespirit. I was thinking of using the brass and copper unions.

Hillbilly86 wrote:So am I missing anything? I am looking at using a 2" jacket and 4 1/2" vapor tubes with 3 baffles for turbulence.

I have this exact setup except 4 baffles. It knocks down 5500w of H20 vapor. Ethanol would be quite a bit more. Prob good for more, but that's all the power I have to throw at it.

Don't forget to stuff a small piece of scrubbie in each vapor tube. Increases turbulent vapor flow.

A 2" with four 1/2" tubes will work quite well.
The only remaining question is...."How much power do you plan to throw in...?".