 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/16/2011(UTC)
Posts: 89
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"Greetings... I'm fairly new to this game; but had lots of chem. lab experience 35 yrs ago.
I've had my still since March '11 (EE PS II Column; premium kettle; propane fired and water cooled from my well); run about 2 distillations per month since then). The upper column had been packed with copper mesh, lower column empty.
This past week I had approx. 4.5 gallons of 50% spirit stored up, so I was going to try to maximize my % by doing a careful reflux run. I repacked both columns: upper col. all full of copper mesh; bottom col. stainless steel mesh at bottom and copper mesh sitting on top of the SS. Fired it up about at 10:30 am, it was up to 160 deg by 11:10 am. Backed off the heat a bit, cranked up the cooling and it came up to 171 deg in about 5 min; pretty much held steady for the next 5 hrs and product was coming. Went up to 176 deg for the next 2 hours, then I ended it when it felt right. Total volume collected was 2.3 gallons
I collected in gallon jugs: #1=88%; #2=85% and #3=75% (1/3gallon).
The best % on prior runs was 84%, so repacking and adding more mesh didn't do me much good. I'm at a loss and was hoping one of the resident experienced hands could advise me.
Thank you"
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 Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/17/2008(UTC)
Posts: 424
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You needed to reflux the mix for at least 30 min. Ran a batch today, pulled steady 94* Ran the heat at full the whole time & used the reflux water to control the output. This a cooling management system. Full heat & cooling water to maintain output. I use 2 pumps, one for the condenser, running full blast & one for the the reflux. On the 2nd full blast keeps the charge from condensing & about 1/4 output for the final run.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/16/2011(UTC)
Posts: 89
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"Many thanks Ratflinger! I only considered adding more mesh and not cooling; figured the BH cooling setup and my cool well water was enough. I also read a couple of your old posts before replying. I see that I was also impatient; my 7hrs versus your 15hrs.
I really appreciate your help, thanks alot!"
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/17/2008(UTC)
Posts: 424
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"The time is variable, depending upon several factors that I won't get into here. But the safe bet on a 3"" HC column is a steady run of condensate. It's not a flow, but more like a steady stream of drips that wouldn't take a lot more to turn into a flow. Now this is all refluxing - when I strip it's balls to the wall & pull as fast as it will come.
On your 2"" column you will have more of a dripping. I've never used a 2"", but from what I've read you are pulling final product way too fast.
Make sure you insulate the column & kettle - that is way more important than you might think. Uninsulated it is very difficult to control the unit, as you are always chasing the temp fluctuations with water adjustments. Once my unit stabilizes I seldom have to touch the reflux water until it's time to strip off the tails."
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