Bubbler/plate still insulation

[zegarnek]

Hi,

I've noticed that pictures of the plate/bubbler systems do not show thermal insulations?

What are your opinions about insulation of a distilling column?

Any comment will be appreciated thanks.

Z

[Kimbo]

Usually insulation is used on small diameter columns, to prevent reflux caused by the ambient air temperature against the outside of the column. On larger columns, no where near as much of an issue, and in a plated column, any amount of reflux would be small and not a detrimental effect anyway :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[zegarnek]

Thanks Brendan
.

[Bushy]

I've insulated my boiler and column. In a winter breeze on my patio i noticed a bit of surging. Fixed that :handgestures-thumbupleft: slightly faster boil time also. But thats about it really.

[Brendan]

am Kent = ambient...

Don't know what happened there

[zegarnek]

Brendan I guessed that one :-)

z

[bt1]

Howdy,

On a 4" copper bubbler mid /late winter in Adelaide running outside without insulation the 4" col basically comes to a halt. The bend/turnover point losses so much heat it can completely stop or bring to a slow drip the spirit flow. It gets masked as an issue sometimes by over driving the boiler....not my preferred option.

Well worth having insulation if your location is a colder place and your looking at outside in winter. Also heat shrouds for boiler help.

enjoy
bt1

[Aussiedownunder01]

Yes insolation helps but don't use duck tape to hold it on it looks crap ;-)

[Brendan]

Yeah, that's the problem...don't want to cover up the copper porn! :snooty:

Always use a boiler shroud/insulation though, helps with heat up time, and more efficient so less power needs to be thrown at it.

[zegarnek]

So there is some interest in the insulation but rather in cooler zones. I understand that the heat
inertia of a larger column, specially a plate one, is large enough not to cause problems.

I am, also, not surprised that owners of the 'copper porn' have difficulties covering their creations... They really look
so hot (red hot) almost juicy.

Boiler cover/shroud is my standard part of machinery.

z