what should i do improveing current set up

Reflux still design and discussion

what should i do improveing current set up

Postby jaco72 » Sun Jul 31, 2016 9:24 am

After some opinions. This is my neutrals still.
It is a 2 inch boka with cold finger. I run it with out the reflux column to do stripping run. When i do the spirit run i obviously use the packed colum 1mtr. It used to be 2 inch but then i chopped out the 2 and went 3 inch with reducers for the column. It now runs 700ml per hour heads and tails 80~90% and 2ltr per hour on hearts at 93~95%. Keg charged with 45 ltrs @ 40% on the spirit run takes 15hrs.
can i get a faster running unit or is this considered good.
Would i better of.
1. Cutting out the reducers on the reflux part and building another 3 inch LM boka head.
2. Cut out the reduxers and build a new VM head 3inch.
3. Build a VM to add on to this set up.
I may be snookered to with the 1/4 inch outlet.
I want to reduce the run time but not the quality.
jaco72
 
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Jun 27, 2015 5:33 am
equipment: 50 ltr keg with 3 " boka still. 1200 mm tower filled with copper mesh, attached via tri clamp.
Ontop is boka style head. Take out middle and makes a stripping still.

Re: what should i do improveing current set up

Postby wynnum1 » Sun Jul 31, 2016 9:35 am

What about building a pot still.
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Re: what should i do improveing current set up

Postby the Doctor » Sun Jul 31, 2016 9:46 am

Would love to see some photos please.
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Re: what should i do improveing current set up

Postby Zak Griffin » Sun Jul 31, 2016 10:07 am

Got a pic mate?

Where are you? You could go to a bigger outlet, 3/8 or 1/2" with a needle valve?
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Re: what should i do improveing current set up

Postby WTDist » Sun Jul 31, 2016 10:25 am

After some opinions. This is my neutrals still.

dont worry about a pot for nuetrals, maybe stripping
Im with zac, go bigger outlet to reduce friction and such. 2l/h would be max i would say wit ha 2" if you dont want to smear. you can go faster but to keep it clean i would say 2l/h on low wines would be pushing it. if you want faster run times on low wines than a wider column will work. more volume in the column with reduced vapor speed is what you want for cleaner cuts

and yes...
:text-worthless:
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Re: what should i do improveing current set up

Postby warramungas » Sun Jul 31, 2016 1:30 pm

2" should pull faster than 700ml an hour even with a beer wash. 3" should sh#t it in. Do you use stainless or copper mesh?
I wouldn't worry about building a bigger head or increasing the outlet to a larger than 1/4" tube. So long as your head can handle all the power your boiler throws at it. Don't get hung up on the 2" size change as it doesn't matter so much if its free space, I.e. Not plated or packed like a condenser head. Vapor can travel fine through it. I can strip a lot faster than 2 liters a minute through my old one that was 1/4".
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Re: what should i do improveing current set up

Postby scythe » Sun Jul 31, 2016 1:36 pm

Bokas are notoriously slow and what you are running it at is pretty much the max for a 2" column
But as you have a 3" section in the middle this one is a bit of a weird one.

But bokas are quite good at producing a neutral.

With a larger outlet you could increase the take off rate, but you will need to watch smearing.

I think you have discovered the main reason why people love bubblers so much.
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Re: what should i do improveing current set up

Postby rumdidlydum » Sun Jul 31, 2016 7:36 pm

Time for a bubler build 8-}
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Re: what should i do improveing current set up

Postby jaco72 » Mon Aug 01, 2016 10:40 am

would love to show some pics but all seems a bit hard with the upload.
i originally had a 2 inch 1 mtr colum for the spirit run but upped it to 3 inch packed with copper mesh, this did increase volume as obviously more reflux product in the section.
i agree with you zac and wtdist. increase the volumetric area of the head to 3 inch and the outlet increase, this will also allow me to remove the 2 inch reducers i have from the old column.
a have a parker stainless needle valve on this one for precise adjustment through its ranges so can compress and anticipate using a 3/8 one on the next build. 180 bucks.
this unit is for sale to fund my new unit, will sell complete keg and all. easy enough to make a new one.
i will look into a plate still but will need a heap plates to get a neutral.
a mate mine bought one, a 2 inch 4 plater, but to much stainless for my liking, and he only gets the same output as mine. i build all my stuff, and stuff for others.
decisions decisions.
Last edited by Zak Griffin on Mon Aug 01, 2016 10:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
Reason: Removed FB and unwelcome reference
jaco72
 
Posts: 21
Joined: Sat Jun 27, 2015 5:33 am
equipment: 50 ltr keg with 3 " boka still. 1200 mm tower filled with copper mesh, attached via tri clamp.
Ontop is boka style head. Take out middle and makes a stripping still.


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