"Can anyone help me; I have a couple of questions?
This is the first time I have built a column still, having previously built a simple pot still, some eighteen years ago in our last recession, using narrow copper pipe 15mm (5/8"") and a pressure cooker on the kitchen stove. (Once treated with activated carbon the results were surprisingly good). But the whole setup was a bit dodgy and really cheesed off my Mrs as the process took much longer than I really wanted and I would cop it in the neck for taking over her kitchen and making a mess.
I am a Londoner in England and intend to build a still using a beer keg liberated from the local pub. We also use kegs with Sanke fittings in the UK, so I am looking to buy the 2" male NPT to 2" Tri-Clamp coupler, with the 2" x Long Tri-Clamp weld ferrule.
I intend to make the column using standard UK plumbing copper pipe, which has an Internal Diameter of 50mm (1.97") and an Outer Diameter of 54mm (2.13"). What I need to know is the inside diameter of the clamp coupler and ferrule, whether the pipe will fit and if there will be a suitable gap for soldering the joint.
My second question is in regard to the keg itself, most beer kegs in the UK, are made from Aluminium (Aluminum). Is there any good reason why these could not be used rather than stainless steel?
Cheers Norfa!"