Vapours Escaping Pot Still

[Matt S]

Hi everyone, hope someone can help, I am a bit bewildered.
I am using a Mac made 2" pot still on top of a 2000w boiler. I am in the process of building a power controller, but for now I have no control.
I was doing a strip run today on 25 litres of All Bran wash, and as I have noted in other attempts as well, I am getting the smallest amount of vapour coming from the end of the condenser.
It is invisible to the eye, which leads me to believe it definitely is alcohol, and the only way I can see it is if I put a mirror up to it and even then it is only the tiniest fog on the mirror.
Weird thing is, I am running the coolant flat out, litres a minute, and the alcohol that is being condensed is coming out at around 30c-33c.
Why am I getting a foggy mirror when the distillate is being knocked down to such a low temperature? Weird!

Any help would be great :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[emptyglass]

Does it have a shotgun condenser?

[blond.chap]

Weird mate, total guess here but do you have your coolant flowing in at the boiler side of the condenser or the other side?

[Matt S]

Nope, not a shotgun.
I have the coolant running from the end of the condenser(near the output) and coming out at the top of condenser near the boiler.

[blond.chap]

The only thing I can think of is that the vapour isn't contacting the sides of the condenser. Try shoving some copper mesh up as far as you can into the condenser vapour path.

Also, you probably don't need to worry about an element controller for 2.0kW with a 2" pot still, 2kW is sufficiently low to get good product.

[Matt S]

I will be using the controller for my spirit runs. It runs way to fast for a good spirit run atm.
Okay, a bit of mesh shoved right up to the beginning of the condenser, will give that a try.

[MacStill]

I reckon a little fogging of the mirror at the end of you condenser is normal ;-)

Let's think about this for a minute:

ABV at output is ?

What are the other components besides alcohol being condensed ?

What happens to those components with sudden temp changes ?

Ambient temp ?

Fog happens because ?

30ish c is not too hot for the product leaving the still in stripping mode.

I'm not answering these questions, it's my turn to ask 120 :teasing-tease:

[Matt S]

A yes, I think I see what you are saying.

Answer time! :smile:

ABV starts about 50%, and drops from there.

Other components? Water mainly I would think.

I am not sure what happens to these components with sudden temp change, other then turning to a liquid rather then a vapour.

Ambient temp is around 25c.

Fog occurs with a sudden temp change, yes?

Yes, I thought 30c is quite cool actually! Compared to other rigs I have used. Hence why I was wondering why there would be vapour.

[Brendan]

I used to get this too mate, and as Mac says a little bit is fine. It is usually temperture related, and usually disappears if you get your distillate temp down...

Also as Blondy mentioned, stick some copper mesh or even a bit off of a stainless scrubbie 6 inches up the output tube...helps with huffing and vapour exiting :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[MacStill]

Other components? Water mainly I would think.

I am not sure what happens to these components with sudden temp change, other then turning to a liquid rather then a vapour.

Fog occurs with a sudden temp change, yes?

:scared-eek:

[MacStill]

never mind mate, just think about the things you said that I quoted..... you'll get it.... I hope 8-}

[Matt S]

I guess I answered my own question then huh? :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Haha cheers :-D

[MacStill]

I dont think there's a gold star smilie, but you can have one of these instead :clap:

[Matt S]

Ahh bummer, I really wanted a gold star! :teasing-neener:

[crow]

Try shoving some copper mesh up as far as you can into the condenser vapour path.

umm about that, I wouldn't shove it as far up as possible, this could turn into a bomb. I used a few strands of a scrubbie in the end of my Liebig always but it was fairly loose and right at the end (last inch or so)and hanging out for easy removal. Should a puke push any crap up here you want the slightest pressure build up to be able to push that mesh out with ease ;-)

[bt1]

+1 Crow,

mesh is a risk if it gets clogged.

try this

Image018.jpg

tip just throws vapour out to the side walls and wire tail makes sure vapour flow is random so more wall contact. It's worth a good few degrees on a hot South Aussie day so reckon it will assist here.
Wedged shaped for easy knock in rough 180 twist, ties the wire tail on and wind wire on a small rod then randomise it when feeding in.... Use a pull wire or string to get it through.

bt1

[Linny]

Ahh bummer, I really wanted a gold star! :teasing-neener:

found one (*)

[Matt S]

So would I be placing this just past where the coolant is first entering? Its about 4 inches up my condenser, so would 5 or 6 inches be sufficient, or perhaps a bit more?
Cheers for the gold star, I feel all warm inside :))

[Brendan]

you want the slightest pressure build up to be able to push that mesh out with ease ;-)

:text-+1:

This is the key for anyone unsure about stuffing mesh up their condenser...it should not be 'packed', just a small bit loosely 'slid' up there a bit, and it can easily slide back out with the slightest blow of air from the other end.

[Matt S]

That's what i thought, and its why I used the word 'placed'. :handgestures-thumbupleft: