Gen 2 UJSSM Cuts

[Matt_Pl]

I know this is going to be a stupid question but I'm going to ask it anyway.

FSD Neutraliser sitting on an 18 Gallon SS converted Keg.

Currently running as per old Macs instructions on running a bubbler. with 4 plates.

The run so far.

Fores, 95%,95%,90,91,89,87,85,81,79,74,74,70,70,68,67,62,61% ABV (approximately 350ml glass jars)

What should I be collecting to before I just crank up the heat and collect it for feints?

I plan on blending the cuts together and storing in a corney keg, from my 220 litre olive drum fermenter I've managed to collect about 160 litres of wash.

Thanks All.

Matt

[bluc]

Why does your abv drop like that? Leak? Mine sits on 89 whole run then bottom sight glass foggs and alcometer pops up/down to 85abv. Then drops to 40ish in 400 ish mls...in about 10-15mins.

[Plumby]

I only have a pot still so my experience is different from yours but, I would do a 220 litre ferment then strip everything into my spare keg. When it was time for a spirit run id water the low wines down to 40% then start the still, id collect about 1/2 litre of fores then collect everything in 300-400ml jars. Id make very rough cuts off the still by abv and id keep everything from 80% down to 60% then after 60% id crank the heat and put everything into my low wines keg. After two days of airing id make proper cuts by taste and smell.
Like I said that's my run strategy for a pot still, I know plated column stills compress fractions differently but it gives you a ball park figure :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Matt_Pl]

Could I be running it too fast ?

[Matt_Pl]

Why does your abv drop like that? Leak? Mine sits on 89 whole run then bottom sight glass foggs and alcometer pops up/down to 85abv. Then drops to 40ish in 400 ish mls...in about 10-15mins.

Mine certainly has never run like that ........ :scared-eek: :scared-eek:

[RC Al]

How much power are you using
How long did that 6l take you?

[bluc]

What power you use what rc water setup you got and how do you leak test..? Way you decribe its running like a pot still..

[woodduck]

Yep something is wrong there mate, abv shouldn't drop like that on a bubbler. How much wash did you start with? Was it fermented properly? What litres per hour you running at?

My guess is your running too fast and not getting enough reflux. Mine usually sits at 92% rock soild, doesn't move a bit the whole run until tails hit and the % drops 1%. I then just strip tails, most blokes will keep going like bluc mentioned above but I find that suits me. I find I might end up with one or 2 jars of tails when I stop there.

Out of 45-50ltr wash I usually get 300ml of fores, 14 300ml jars (92%) and about 2ltrs of tails (91-30%). This is an average run things may vary slightly.

Remember each rig is different so my results will most likely be different to yours. But a bubbler shouldn't drop like that, that's more of a pot still run.

[Matt_Pl]

I have one element on, the other is switched off. Ive got a power regulator but is running flat out.

I use a submersible pump in a 1000 litre IBC. the RC is setup it allow a small amount of reflux as per Macs instructions.

I havent leak tested it but I can see no evidence of any leaks.

Its been running for about 5 hours at this point. Output is 60% ABV.

[Matt_Pl]

Ok tomorrow I'll be replacing my RC valve with a needle valve from the local plumbers.

Hopefully it will give me a lot more control on my amount of reflux, I always assummed that blubbers ran like a pot still and hence was never looking at maintaining a constant ABV, live and learn its probably why my run tastes so bad...

Tomorrow is always another day. Thanks Lads!

[coffe addict]

Most people have a 50L boiler and it's insulated. This runs ok on 2400w, my boiler like yours is 18gal or 80ish L I find I need more power for things to be stable around 2700 to 3000w and a take off rate of 2.5L/hr.
For the abv to be dropping(assuming no leaks) you've either not got enough power or take rate is too fast.

Edit: I just saw your pic. I'd highly suggest some insulation as you'll be loosing lots of heat.

[Plumby]

I must agree with woody, that pretty much how my pot still runs. 50 litres of 40% abv low wines the take off rate start's in the mid to high 80's then slowly tapers off as the run progresses. Once I hit 60% abv I crank it up to full power and treat it like a striping run.

[bluc]

One elelement (2400w?) And ibc then my guess is leak. I fill mine with water to top of colum to leak test..could be just pushing to hard... :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Professor Green]

I get that exact behavior if I push my neutraliser too hard.

[db1979]

I too agree with woody.

I had this problem recently, threw it all back in the the boiler and ran it again, but slower.

I got a power meter a few weeks ago and finally measured the consumption of my elements. Using my power controller, when in the sweet spot and taking product I'm running it between 1500 and 1600 W. As mentioned above, every still is different. My column is quite short (110 mm plate spacing) and is one whole unit (so no clamps between plates), 85 mm RC, my boiler is insulated (old blanket) and I'm not running a heavy stainless steel neutraliser. All this means I get less passive reflux and don't need as much heat to get the vapour up and past the RC.

Try dialing it down and see what happens.

[db1979]

Ok tomorrow I'll be replacing my RC valve with a needle valve from the local plumbers.

Ive got a power regulator but is running flat out.

Save your money, use your power controller instead. If it doesn't fix it, then look into a needle valve.

[Matt_Pl]

Thanks all.

I'll fill up the boiler and column tomorrow to check for leaks, if that fails I'll message FSD for a new seal kit.

If the leak test passes I'll wind back the controller and rerun the whole lot, Ming you a needle valve will be purchased as I've always hated my valve on the Rv se ms to be either on or off.

Now that I know I'm supposed to be running it with a constant abv rather than as previously mentioned I'll be able to fault find a lot easier.

What insulation materials do you recommend for kegs?

Thanks once again :text-thankyoublue: :text-thankyoublue:

[woodduck]

I wouldn't turn your power down I'd turn your rc water on more to get more reflux and slow the output. More power (within reason) = more reflux.

Use a small mirror to check for leaks. The vapor will fog up the mirror if it's leaking.

[coffe addict]

As I said above "For the abv to be dropping(assuming no leaks) you've either not got enough power or take rate is too fast" I suspect that your bath depth will be very shallow or even completely dry.
Are you allowing the plates to properly stack? By this I mean holding the still in 100% reflux for 10 or 15 mins? Then slowly adjusting the take off rate to 2 to 2.5L/hr?
Nearly everyone who runs with a gate Vale and not a needle valve struggles to control the still.

[Matt_Pl]

Hey Coffee,

The plates are properly loaded, I'm not getting much reflux tho, I think I'm simply pushing the old girl too hard and running her the wrong way.

I'll certainly look at insulation on the boiler as well.