Water flows and adding distilate to the column

[Reflux1]

Hi distillers
This is my first post. I have a Keggomax CM reflux still and 30l electric boiler. My first wash was disappointing- 25l of TPW yielding 2.1l of 89% spirit. Did some reading and increased the packing in the column and put a manifold on the water line to control each water jacket separately. Ran a 27l (TPW )wash last night. Temp stabilized at 79degC. and produced spirit at 91.5%. Was hoping to get higher. As and experiment I took the thermometer of the top of the column, and poured down the column 150ml of the 91.5% spirit. From this I collected 94.5% spirit. Did this with the rest of the spirit to end up with 2.4l of of 94.5% :).

Question 1 My pump delivers only 2.6l/min. Would this be two low a flow rate, and would this be the cause of the poor reflux?
Question 2 Adding distillate to the top of the column gave very good results. Is there a problem with this practise?

Thank you

[Meatheadinc]

I am not familiar with the still however my 4" bubbler can do full reflux 2400w on less waterflow.

Can you achieve full reflux ? if so you have enough water flow


what is you takeoff speed ? can you slow it down ?

slowing takeoff will increase reflux and bring up alcohol %

What power d you run ?


30L boiler with 27L .. Was there sufficient head space ?? not puking into the column ?

More info required
Any pics

[Reflux1]

I cannot slow down the takeoff. As a coolant management system I assume if you increase water flows therefore cooling the column at the top you must improve reflux. Do you see any problems with pouring the spirit back down the column . In away this is like reducing takeoff speed.
Thank you

[Reflux1]

PS
Plenty of headspace in the boiler and the boiler has no temp control:(

[Reflux1]

Picture of stil

[Meatheadinc]

poring down the column will increase abv

However

I DO NOT recommend that you remove the top bung during distillation

[

I cannot slow down the takeoff

Why not ? a CM should be able to achieve full reflux ( no output) and by minor adjustments deliver a drip and with more adjustments, a stream

Plenty of headspace in the boiler and the boiler has no temp control:(

You cannot control temp only power input. Boiling will occur at a temp relevant to the alcohol solution in the boiler and increase in temp as alcohol % decrease.

[Meatheadinc]

91.5% abv is all I would expect from that still.

[Reflux1]

I was just thinking when I attached it to the house pump I did get full reflux. However I am on tank water and the pressure pump varies to much. For the next run I will mod the pump system to give more flexibility on the flow rates.
Thanks for your help
Ps Smells and tastes OK.

[Sam.]

I DO NOT recommend that you remove the top bung during distillation

:text-+1: if your not in full reflux you will have ethanol vapor escaping that you won't see.

If you want higher proof double distill with a boiler charged with 40% or less ABV.

[Sam.]

Also put this into the welcome centre, may as well be your intro :handgestures-thumbupleft: