VM/CM mod

[jim]

Hello,
I was reading Scarecrow's thread for a flavored packed column, and figured it wouldnt be hard to mod my VM still to be able to do the same thing. I sealed off the top, and added a U of 3/4 to use as a safety feature. Shown below.
EDIT: The U is filled with water to form a vapor lock

DSC_0005.JPG

Now I have fully adjustable VM.
I can do full reflux with the VM valve closed and reflux valve open.
I can run as regular VM with the gate open
I can then make more vapor come out the VM valve by adjusting the cooling flow to the reflux condensor.
If any pressure builds up in the column, I will be notified by WATER coming out of the vapor lock before I start getting ethanol steam. In any case, I cant build up dangerous pressures in the column with this setup.

For rum or whiskey, I reflux for a while on a reduced packed column, then draw out the foreshots/heads at a slow trickle, then open the VM valve, and reduce reflux to a trickle.

As for results:
Ive done a rum run on 500mm (4 rolls) packing and came out with ~90% pretty flavorsome stuff.

Ive done a UJ on 375mm packing and it came out with an initial 85%, but steadily declined. However this was only a 8% 25L wash, so there wasnt much alcohol to hold the temps steady.

[Yummyrum]

jim that's a clever way to get round the potential bomb effect.Many have tried this but with two valves :naughty: :naughty: :naughty:

I see you call it CM when not refluxing in VM mode but it would be more like a Pot still with a packed column .
Or do you have a CM reflux condenser under it as well ?

Looking good :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Kimbo]

Nice work mate, :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Are you Luthier too are ya?

[jim]

I see you call it CM when not refluxing in VM mode but it would be more like a Pot still with a packed column .
Or do you have a CM reflux condenser under it as well ?

Looking good :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I guess I call it CM when adjusting the cooling water to the reflux condensor, I am able to keep enough reflux going with a trickle of cooling water to avoid it acting completely like a pot still. With a VM there is a very limited range of reflux adjustment, with this I can adjust from total reflux to no reflux which is more along the lines of a CM. I guess what makes it different from CM is that the vapor never travels past the reflux condensor, instead it "shortcuts" out the VM valve.

Are you Luthier too are ya?

I'm trying, I have the body cut out, I'm a bit stalled on the neck. I want to make a wandoo fretboard, but it keeps warping when I slice off a 6mm thick board.