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Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 10:54 pm
by Johnny_Mac
Hi All,
Just a noob question for the experts here. I am running the 8gal Speakeasy still pictured below. It has a 1.5" short column with a tri-clamp attachment for the slobberbox/condenser chamber. If I add another length of pipe in the 24-36" length neighborhood packed with copper mesh, will I get any reflux advantages? Or any other advantages or disadvantages? TIA
Re: Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 10:58 pm
by Saltbush Bill
None without adding a reflux condenser.
Re: Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 11:10 pm
by Johnny_Mac
Saltbush Bill wrote: ↑Mon Jul 18, 2022 10:58 pm
None without adding a reflux condenser.
Gotcha, that's what I kind of gathered from my reading on this site, just wasn't sure. Appreciate the quick response sir.
So here is another question. Is the 1.5" short column that comes out of the top of the boiler a bottleneck to the point that I will need to stick with a 1.5" reflux column if I intend to use this boiler, or can I put a 1.5 to 2" reducer on it and get a 2" reflux column on top? I would just buck up and get a keg, but I just kind of dabble in this art and don't have room for multiple stills. I was just trying to make one still do a little of everything....which may not be possible.
Re: Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2022 11:24 pm
by Saltbush Bill
In theory 1.5 to 2 inch will work, its not a bottle neck as such , plenty of people run 4 inch stills straight from the 2 inch outlet on a beer keg.
What is used to heat that boiler and what volume does it hold ?
If your going to go chasing enough reflux to make neutral its probably easier to just make a complete 2 inch still and fit it to that boiler.
Re: Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 12:12 am
by Johnny_Mac
OK, good to know. It's a 30 liter boiler and I use propane. Appreciate the insights and I'll look into making a complete 2" still.
Re: Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 12:38 am
by Bushman
Off topic from the question but just looking at the picture that slobber box looks a bit small.
Re: Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 5:17 am
by still_stirrin
Johnny_Mac wrote: ↑Mon Jul 18, 2022 11:10 pm
Saltbush Bill wrote: ↑Mon Jul 18, 2022 10:58 pm
None without adding a reflux condenser.
Gotcha, that's what I kind of gathered from my reading on this site, just wasn't sure. Appreciate the quick response sir.
So here is another question. Is the 1.5" short column that comes out of the top of the boiler a bottleneck to the point that I will need to stick with a 1.5" reflux column if I intend to use this boiler, or can I put a 1.5 to 2" reducer on it and get a 2" reflux column on top? I would just buck up and get a keg, but I just kind of dabble in this art and don't have room for multiple stills. I was just trying to make one still do a little of everything....which may not be possible.
You have a 1-1/2” triclover clamp where the slobber box and product condenser attach. That is goodness.
What I would do if I wanted higher purity product from the spirit runs would be to eliminate the slobber box/pc combination and add a section of 1-1/2” spool. And then top that with a 1-1/2” tee and add a condenser controlled vapor managed (CCVM) corrugated stainless steel (CSST) reflux condenser with the tee’s branch feeding a Liebig (or a shotgun) product condenser.
I would recommend the additional piping and the product condenser be built with copper instead of stainless as well. The copper will help tame the product’s taste.
I wouldn’t fret over building a keg boiler just yet, unless you need to increase production. An 8-gallon boiler is a good size for starters and low-rate personal production…not too much and not too little. As Goldilocks said, “it’s just right”!
ss
Re: Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 5:22 am
by Johnny_Mac
Bushman wrote: ↑Tue Jul 19, 2022 12:38 am
Off topic from the question but just looking at the picture that slobber box looks a bit small.
Agree....Their description states: "Re-condensation takes place in the secondary chamber (aka slobber box) due to drop in pressure as vapor travels from a narrow tube into a larger volume."
They also call it a Gin Basket as well so I'm not 100% sure what the best way to use it is. I've drained it mid spirit run because I thought it was small and didn't want it to fill up and puke through the condenser and not much came out. I was able to get about 70% out of the still and it has turned into some pretty good whiskey so it works. I'm sure there are plenty better, but I'm happy so far with it as a pot still. Just thought I'd see what would be an inexpensive way to get closer to neutral spirit production with it.
Re: Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 5:26 am
by Johnny_Mac
still_stirrin wrote: ↑Tue Jul 19, 2022 5:17 am
Johnny_Mac wrote: ↑Mon Jul 18, 2022 11:10 pm
Saltbush Bill wrote: ↑Mon Jul 18, 2022 10:58 pm
None without adding a reflux condenser.
Gotcha, that's what I kind of gathered from my reading on this site, just wasn't sure. Appreciate the quick response sir.
So here is another question. Is the 1.5" short column that comes out of the top of the boiler a bottleneck to the point that I will need to stick with a 1.5" reflux column if I intend to use this boiler, or can I put a 1.5 to 2" reducer on it and get a 2" reflux column on top? I would just buck up and get a keg, but I just kind of dabble in this art and don't have room for multiple stills. I was just trying to make one still do a little of everything....which may not be possible.
You have a 1-1/2” triclover clamp where the slobber box and product condenser attach. That is goodness.
What I would do if I wanted higher purity product from the spirit runs would be to eliminate the slobber box/pc combination and add a section of 1-1/2” spool. And then top that with a 1-1/2” tee and add a condenser controlled vapor managed (CCVM) corrugated stainless steel (CSST) reflux condenser with the tee’s branch feeding a Liebig (or a shotgun) product condenser.
I would recommend the additional piping and the product condenser be built with copper instead of stainless as well. The copper will help tame the product’s taste.
I wouldn’t fret over building a keg boiler just yet, unless you need to increase production. An 8-gallon boiler is a good size for starters and low-rate personal production…not too much and not too little. As Goldilocks said, “it’s just right”!
ss
That sounds like exactly what I was hoping I could do. I didn't want to reinvent the wheel, just find another way to use some of what I have already. Much appreciated ss.
Re: Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 5:45 am
by Demy
"Gin basket" makes sense but it is not a reflux system, that part must be filled with botanicals in order to convey the flavor to the distillate. Study the reflux systems (LM, VM, CCVM etc ..) so you will understand the difference, it is a good boiler and just implement the column with other parts to transform it into reflux.
Re: Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:12 am
by Twisted Brick
Sound advice from above. Upgrading to 2" copper from the boiler through the condenser will make a very competent, versatile still, much faster (especially on strips) than what you have now. Make your riser/column modular and you're golden.
This is what another member did and added it to his homebrewing setup.
Re: Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:17 pm
by Johnny_Mac
Twisted Brick wrote: ↑Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:12 am
Sound advice from above. Upgrading to 2" copper from the boiler through the condenser will make a very competent, versatile still, much faster (especially on strips) than what you have now. Make your riser/column modular and you're golden.
This is what another member did and added it to his homebrewing setup.
chapelhouse.jpeg
That looks like a piece of art right there!
Re: Adding Column Length benefits...
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2022 4:23 am
by still_stirrin
Johnny_Mac wrote: ↑Tue Jul 19, 2022 9:17 pm
That looks like a piece of art right there!
I especially like “the keezer” in the background. Now that’s how you “homebrew”.
ss
