3" Bubbler??

[rustee]

OK guys im thinking of jumping on the bubbler bandwagon. :happy-partydance: Ive got some 3" left over from a previous build so im thinking of using it to make the bubbler column. I want to produce rum and whisky so its going to be 4 plates - 100mm apart with 3/8 downcomers and 1/2cups. 1.5" peepers. The reflux condenser will be 3" , 100-120 long with 5 or 6 3/8 tubes. The column will reduce to 1.5" with 2 90deg bends to a 1.5" product condenser 400mm long with 4 x 1/2 pipes.

I have a couple of specific questions for you experienced bubbler builders.

1) is reflux condenser and product condenser sizing adequate
2) are 1/16 holes on a 5mm grid still applicable to a 3"
3) how high should the cups be off each plate (i know the downcomers should protrude about 10mm and on one of Macs builds it looks like the cups are about 15mm??)

[blond.chap]

Hi Mate, it's a fun bandwagon to jump on, I'm not an expert, but my thoughts:

1) is reflux condenser and product condenser sizing adequate
Go for a shorter RC, 50-80mm, mine's 80mm and if anything it's too long, Also, cram it as full of inner pipes as possible to minimise the dead time. PC is fine
2) are 1/16 holes on a 5mm grid still applicable to a 3"
Yep, that's fine
3) how high should the cups be off each plate (i know the downcomers should protrude about 10mm and on one of Macs builds it looks like the cups are about 15mm??)
My cups are about 30mm above the plates, but it doesn't seem to be too critical

Only other thing is I'd suggest bigger sight glasses, 2" or even 3". You'll get sore eyes trying to look through 1.5".

[rustee]

Thanks Blonde Chap - i just looked through a piece of 1.5" and it is pretty small - i will take your suggestion on board and go with 2" sight glasses.

[Kimbo]

Only other thing is I'd suggest bigger sight glasses, 2" or even 3". You'll get sore eyes trying to look through 1.5".

:text-+1:

[emptyglass]

If you make your R/C too long, it will just take a little while longer than a short one to settle down.
If you make it too short, it might not knock all the vapor down.

I like to err on the side of caution. Its handy to be able to knock down everything you can throw at it, and after getting to know your own still, you'll know where to set things to make up for a little longer lag time.

[rustee]

What would you suggest then empty? 100mm for the rc?

[rustee]

OK ive got started. Heres where i got to over the weekend.

PC end.jpg

The procuct condenser is 480 long with 3 x 1/2" tubes - i couldnt cram 4 in there. Hopefully 3 is enough.

plates.jpg

i got 80% of the holes drilled on 2 of the plates before my drill bit snapped.

downcomers.jpg

The downcomers are 3/8" with 1/2" cups. Ive flared one of the ends just because i wanted to. Probably wont bother flaring the others.

Anyway back to Bunnings tomorrow to get another drill bit or two so i can finish making the plates.

Reflux condenser and sight glass tubes next weekend.

Stay tuned...

[punchy21]

You don't fuck around rustee, 4 days ago you were thinking about making a bubbler and now you're off to a flying start :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I'm no pro bubbler builder but are 3/8 downcomers going to be big enough? Any builders here confirm this? :think:

[MacStill]

You don't fuck around rustee, 4 days ago you were thinking about making a bubbler and now you're off to a flying start :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I'm no pro bubbler builder but are 3/8 downcomers going to be big enough? Any builders here confirm this? :think:

I would go minimum 1/2" DC's, you dont want restrict the reflux path as little as possible.

The still will only be as efficient as the amount of reflux it can process ;-)

[1 2many]

Hi Rusty ,Man you are off with a flying start great work i will be watching your build can't wait for more and keep up
the great pics . :handgestures-thumbupleft: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[rustee]

Thanks for the advice guys. So mac is 3\4 ok for the cups if I use 1\2 Down comers or should I be using 5\8? Its just that I don't have any 5\8 laying around so would be a pita if I had to get some just for 3 cups.

[MacStill]

5/8" is refrigeration size, overrated & overpriced.. stick to plumbing sizes like 3/4" :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[bt1]

+1 mac...3/4" is the go the bigger the better

On the RC question
I use a 100mm RC with a mid point outlet i.e. 2 and the mid one has a simple bull valve...it's all I use on a 4" col. would effectively be using bout 55mm with 7 3/4" tubes...not much water at all.

the new one is only 80mm effective in 2" for a 4" col....yet to test her but reckon it'll be enough.

IMAG0002v2.jpg

bt1

[emptyglass]

100mm will work. That is, 100mm of inner tube length.

[rustee]

Thanks EG. BT1 reckons 80mm is enough and you say 100mm. I suppose it would be easy enough to shorten if response time suffers. But would not be so easy to make bigger if knockdown power suffers. i will go 100mm or maybe 90mm.

[Brendan]

I haven't run mine yet, but I would be less worried about response time and more worried about it's ability to achieve full reflux at full power :?

[bt1]

Do a 100mm or 125mm but do tickle's idea of a mid length take off with a ball valve...I've only ever used the 55mm after the first run...but understand your concerns here..

end of the day it's what ever your kool (bad pun) with

bt1

[Brendan]

end of the day it's what ever you're kool (bad pun) with
bt1

:laughing-rolling:

[emptyglass]

80mm would probably do a 3", but its just being able to knock it all down.



And like bt said, it was a bad pun. :teasing-neener:

[Brendan]

I've built a 130mm 3" dephlegmator for my 4" bubbler, will be keen to see how it goes :think: