NEWBY HELP ??'s on perf plates for a 4''er

[crashprofector]

Hi all so many post with great info some time too much info, I will get straight to the point.
I am wanting to build a 4'' perf plated column, Main concerns are.

Thanks in advance.


1. How many & what size holes in plates with 3/4 downers.
2. How far apart to put this type of plate.
3. On the reflus condenser 4'' x 8'' with (5) 1'' tubes good ??? OR your opinion.
4. On product condendser 2'' x 24'' with (4) 1/2'' tubes good??? OR your opinion.
5. Using 15.5 gal keg.
6. What size site glasses 2'' good just for looks right.

[MacStill]

1. How many & what size holes in plates with 3/4 downers.

1.5mm holes in a 5mm grid pattern works well, dunno in inches but

2. How far apart to put this type of plate.

4" as long as there not to close they're fine, I've had them on various builds at 4" & 6" apart with no noticeable difference in performance or efficiency

3. On the reflus condenser 4'' x 8'' with (5) 1'' tubes good ??? OR your opinion.

Too long, half that works well enough to obtain full reflux

4. On product condendser 2'' x 24'' with (4) 1/2'' tubes good??? OR your opinion.

That's a good size, it will work well

5. Using 15.5 gal keg.

Perfect :handgestures-thumbupleft:

6. What size site glasses 2'' good just for looks right.

2" is fine, the trend is bigger the better... most these days are using 3" with a few even going 4" lately

Oh welcome to here :wave:

Cheers.

[emptyglass]

How many plates are you planning to run?

[crashprofector]

Thanks for the Info metric not a problem,

Have a 6 ft pipe, thinking 8-10 plates 6 inches a part,

Whats your opinion.

[bt1]

hello crash,

once plate spacing is about square seems to be the norm. From a practical view, the over all height can be an issue...Mines 2.3m when on keg and stand used 125mm plate separation with a longer section to fist plate...Fitting together requires some delicate balancing....keep it at a workable height.

bt1

[crashprofector]

How far from boiler to first plate

[bt1]

I'll do some measure ups this arvo...

cheers
bt1

[SBB]

As long as your bottom plate is 4 inches from the end of the 4 inch column it should be ok, you going to gain extra again by the time you put a reducer and flange below that.

[MacStill]

I dont think it really matters where the first plate is, most guys from what I've seen have the first one about 4" up the column.

I've had my first plate straight on top of the boiler and didnt have any problems ;-)

[bt1]

Reckon my first plate is about 275mm from boiler join seat.

Thinking was/is to assist with resolving flash boil but so far (run 8 done) no issues. Once I step up to the spiral burner again will be the real test I reckon.

bt1