Square column

[MooseMan]

Ok a bit of an odd one here.

I've been offered a long section of heavy duty stainless steel box section, I don't have dims for it yet but the friend who has "Acquired" it says it's well over 6 foot and "looks about 4 inches across" but I'll get my hands on it this week.

When I do I'll provide dims and a photo.

What are people's thoughts on me being able to build a column with it?

[Sporacle]

There's a bit of discussion on square stills, apparently Manu has built some or one.
Can't find the info though.
The only thoughts I have Moose is that the thermal performance of SS plus the extra volume in the corners may make for a bit of drama.

However bang it on its side, cut it down and blank the ends.
Hey presto little mini boilers for micro gin stills.

Give it a go, nothing to lose and everything to gain or learn

[Yummyrum]

Moose ,I have always considered it a possibility . To me it makes so much sense as crossflow from one side to the other is so feasible . I’ve always imagined each alternate plate side as a wide rectangular downcomer with a side weir above . Then there is the ease of attaching sight glass windows to a flat surface.

For my , the devil in the detail has always been how to seal the plate to the wall . If it was copper , soldering would be a piece of cake , but not so “easy” with staino . Unless you were to cut it io into individual sections and construct each module and then join it all back together again , you’d really need a square “slide in “ plate tree .

Now shady did have a really cool plate sealing method where he had a ring above and below plate that was wrapped in twine to seal . Maybe a square version ….. insert “shrug shoulders” Imogen.

Now the naysayers have said pressure is better in a round column …. but really.

For what it is worth , an old member here, Myles , made a hexagonal plated still .

[Saltbush Bill]

My opinion......a whole lot of hard work for something that's not been proven to work any better than a round one.
Just the thought of working with stainless puts me off, give me copper any day.

[MooseMan]

Appreciate the feedback guys, just wanted to put it out there since I'll have it for free, so if/when time allows I can look at making something with it.

I think it's really chunky stuff from what he's saying today, so it may not be suitable anyway for working with as a still head.

I'll soon find out I guess!

A square, mini submarine style gin pot sounds properly mad though, so I may have to give that some further thought! Damn Sporacle...

[Salt Must Flow]

Yeah if it's thick walled then it might be heavy enough second guess making a riser or column with it. I once considered upgrading to a 4" column, but I recall reading that the power input generally required is higher than I'd prefer to use. I was thrilled when I was given a BUNCH of free 3" stainless dairy pipe. That really helped cut down on the cost of my build. If you have any local scrap yards/junk yards, maybe go see if they have any stainless dairy pipe. Some might be dinged up a bit, but you can cut segments that will work for you without having to use parts with the dents & dings.