Running a CM

[Capt Beadreader]

All right guys and gals…hook me up. Just finishing up a build on a CM column 15 gal boiler, 2”x 36” column with 3 1/2” pass through cooling tubes for reflux to a 36” x 1/2” Liebig with a 30” 1” jacket. Have ball valves to control Liebig as well as reflux. Getting ready to do sac run but want to play with the reflux. So I should set 100% reflux for 30 minutes to get equilibrium then back off the reflux to get fore’s and heads. (Tossing everything cuz it’s a sac run but I can still learn from it so I’m gonna cut) then back off the temp a bit and adjust reflux for a nice slow flow? I did my research and reading and earned my wings on a pot still did my research on CM just looking for confirmation before I slam the throttles!!

[subbrew]

Perhaps I can't see it in the picture but your plumbing confuses me. I see where an incoming water hose would fit and then the T to feed both the product and reflux condensers. But then it looks like the reflux outlet is connected to the product condenser outlet to water never leaves the system.

As far as running a CM I can be no help, still procrastinating on my column build.

[Capt Beadreader]

Yeah not all hoses are on at this point the input actually goes into a tee below the ball valve from the back so you can’t see it in the pic. So I have free flow to the Liebig but can control flow to the reflux. The reflux exits at the top tee on the Liebig with the condensing water. Gonna add another ball valve below the one in the pic to slow the flow to the Liebig cuz I have a 860 gph pump feeding off the pool. Once I install a lower valve to the condenser I’ll have more flow to the reflux if I slow the flow to the condenser. Just ran the cooling water for the first time last weekend so it’s all trial and error right now. Feel it out and make corrections. The tee on the top of the Liebig dumps the condenser and reflux water out back to the pool.

[GrumbleStill]

G’day Capt, Full disclosure I’m a CM newb, so advice is from limited history.

I think you may struggle with that cooling setup. Successful CM needs a constant flow with the ability to make fairly fine adjustments to the flow rate. Having the reflux and product condensers plumbed together like that will make it hard to balance because any adjustment to one will impact the other. Try to separate them as much as you can. Also for consideration, ball valves aren’t the best for fine tuning flow. I think a needle valve on the outlet of your reflux would make life a lot easier.

Cheers, be safe, and have fun.

[30xs]

If you had done your research on CM you wouldn’t have gone with that design. Not trying to bust your balls, but performance will be lacking. What are you planning to use for packing? 36” is on the shorter side for a 2” column, without really efficient packing. Not sure why you have the tee on what should be the outlet water to your liebig?

Since you still need to do a cleaning run you may search CCVM. It’s a better design and would be more likely to work using a ball valve, or no valves since the RC is essentially a sliding valve itself.

[subbrew]

I am just jealous that you have a pool for a cooling reservoir. Many of us have to decide to waste water with a single pass and dump or contend with rising water temp as we recirc in a non-pool size reservoir.

[Capt Beadreader]

Thanks for the input. I have a second pump so I think I will separate the cooling from the reflux side and give it a try. We’ll see how it does during the sac run and go from there.

[Twisted Brick]

I did my research and reading and earned my wings on a pot still did my research on CM just looking for confirmation before I slam the throttles!!

Here's some more reading to augment your research...

[Saltbush Bill]

Just so you know, you've built a fairly outdated design there, don't expect miricals from it.

[Capt Beadreader]

I know…I just wanted to be able to run reflux if I want and also be able to run in pot still mode. I think with a little more research I might have gone a different way. I separated the condenser and the reflux with two different pumps and am taking the advice to lose the ball valve and go with a needle valve on the reflux side. You guys have helped me solve a few problems before I even did my sac run and I appreciate it…thanks!!

[Capt Beadreader]

Sometimes outdated with a new look can be good…give me an old airplane over a new any day, old trains bellowing steam kick ass, and a 69 Camaro SS well what more can I say. Plus I’m an old guy so if something comes out of the business end that gives me a smile I’m good!!

[Capt Beadreader]

You are all awesome!! Thanks for the input to let me know the corrections I have to make before even running!! I’ve got a 9% 7 gallon sac run ready to go… not gonna taste but gonna make cuts on smell and check % throughout the run. I know there will be some flux in there in the beginning but gonna proof throughout the sac run.

[Capt Beadreader]

It should at least give me a baseline and let me know if my setup can full reflux or not.

[Capt Beadreader]

I know it’s a little outdated…kinda took some time between the research and the build but with the help from this forum I think she might be able to pull it off after the learning curve of running her is overcome. It’s gonna take some time but when I throw a 40% stripping runs in there and get it all squared up we’ll see how good it runs.

[Stonecutter]

You’ll get good practice if you ever step up to a shotgun type dephleg. You could use it to make a “light” style Whiskey. Adding a sight glass would be my next step if I were you. I fiddle f*cked around with a CM jacket for a little bit. I was told they’d be finicky and they sure as hell are but if you can get it down you’ll be that much more experienced.
Prosit

[Capt Beadreader]

The pool is definitely a huge + for cooling…no temp changes etc…I did get an omg you’re gonna totally mess up the PH from the ball and chain but once she understood it doesn’t touch the distillate she was good.

[Saltbush Bill]

am taking the advice to lose the ball valve and go with a needle valve on the reflux side.

Personally I think it will be a waste of money putting a needle valve on that still.......the only stills Ive seen benefit from a needle valve are Boka's which are LM and they are also a must on the dephlegmator of a plated column......another type of CM.

[Yummyrum]

am taking the advice to lose the ball valve and go with a needle valve on the reflux side.

Personally I think it will be a waste of money putting a needle valve on that still.......the only stills Ive seen benefit from a needle valve are Boka's which are LM and they are also a must on the dephlegmator of a plated column......another type of CM.

I’d agree.
You’ll be doing well to get much reflux with those 4 cross tubes with water full on . A ball valve will be fine .
Power control will be more useful as you will need to reduce the power to match the maximum reflux the tubes can provide .

[Saltbush Bill]

Power control will be more useful as you will need to reduce the power to match the maximum reflux the tubes can provide

Kinda like running a pot still with the handbrake on.

[Capt Beadreader]

I put a second ball valve below the input tee to control flow to the condenser. With the 860 gph pump I can turn on the reflux to full and the condenser output doesn’t even change or I can back that ball valve down and make it trickle. I’ve got a banjo burner that can crank 155000 btu so once I dial that back to match my reflux I’ll have another reference point to work with. I’ve got a 10 gallon sac run to work with so I’m sure with some good note taking and some tweaking of different settings throughout the run I’ll learn a lot.to me this is one of the best parts of this hobby is building something and learning to make it purr. The only problem with me is once I get the cat purring I want another one that’s still growling and needs to purr!!

[Capt Beadreader]

Ran a sac run tonight… equalized the column for about 30 mins at 145 with the condenser on got af few drips… fores… turned up the heat a bit and got 178 as a sweet spot…pulled about 1 oz of heads then it fell off picked back up and into the hearts. Turned on some reflux and bumped the heat a little and she settled in at 178 degrees and 178 proof for like 1200 mls out of a 5.5 gallon 9% wash. Shut down at that point cuz it was a sac run but I’ll take 178 proof on a first try any day!!