Help asap temp in reflux....

[Furynfear]

Hey guys doing my clean run in the still. I placed my thermostat. between both the plates. My temp won't go under 100'c. I've turned the condenser on and there is a bit of flow coming out. I opened up the needle valve and it's dripping. What have I done wrong. Is there not enough flow in the condenser. There is a tiny bit of steam that comes out out the top.

[Zak Griffin]

Help! Panic! Urgent! Internet, fix it!

What are you using for your cleaning run? Water and vinegar?

Also, why is your off take halfway down the column?

[Furynfear]

Yeh mate that's it

Not after the internet but for some gent to give me some advice

[Zak Griffin]

What temperature does water boil at?

[Furynfear]

100'c I know that but I thought I when the condenser was on it would drop and maintain 80'c with a bit of play from the pump. But I'm guessing alcohol will be different temps

[Zak Griffin]

Water vapour is water vapour mate... 100°, give or take depending on altitude. You are measuring the temperature of the vapour with your thermometer underneath the plates...

As for the steam coming out the top, you need more flow to the condenser. With an LM still, there is no play with the condenser... It just needs to knock down ALL of the vapour. Your adjustment is in the needle valve on the outlet...

[Furynfear]

Ok so need a bigger pump. Is my thermostat in the wrong place

[Zak Griffin]

No, your thermo is in the right spot... You want to be measuring vapour temp at the top if your column, which you are. Not sure why you've got so much column above the plates though...

Your current pump will probably be fine knocking down alcohol vapour, but you might want to look into a new one anyway...

[MacStill]

Forget about temps and all that, what the hell is all that shit sealing the column to the boiler ?

You have bigger issues than temps that need addressing :roll:

[bayshine]

is that a rubber hose coupler with 2 hose clamps :handgestures-thumbdown:
thats doesn't look any good mate

[Zak Griffin]

Woah, good spot Mac... Here's that 'urgent! SMS help!' Type Thread you were talking about haha

[MacStill]

there are much better solutions available for connecting a T500 boiler to the still ;-)

DSC_0054.JPG

[8-ball]

there are much better solutions available for connecting a T500 boiler to the still ;-)

DSC_0054.JPG

how much are these and where are they on 5 star store page mac

[MacStill]

click here for the adapter :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Furynfear]

Haha I no it looks bad lol its exhaust wrap with the rubber over the top . So no stressing about it melting or anything. Will have to get that flange from macstill. What do the Ss ones look like so I can change over to the pot still

[MacStill]

Haha I no it looks bad lol its exhaust wrap with the rubber over the top . So no stressing about it melting or anything.

What material is the exhaust wrapping mate ? is it safe when in contact with high temp ethanol vapour ? do you have a MSDS for it ?

[Furynfear]

It's not coming through there I used a copper union so all good. Gonna weld it now anyway and redo the clean run

[MacStill]

It's not coming through there I used a copper union so all good. Gonna weld it now anyway and redo the clean run

No mate it's not all good, it's fucked actually..... how do you know what nasty shit is getting into your booze from it ? if it's needed to seal the connection "it is" in contact with product & "it is not" all good ;-)

[MacStill]

..... you're also going to have trouble keeping the still equalised during the run, it looks like a 1/2" brass ball valve you've got there ? you'll find you're going to need finer adjustment than a big ball valve can offer, you'd be much better off with a needle valve.

I'll leave my comments on brass out of it, bt1 will be onto you soon enough :))

[Furynfear]

I already welded it up and removed all the stuff from it. All good now. So am I right to go now or am I still missing something