Twin Column VM still

[TheMechwarrior]

All, interested in your thoughts about the following change to my VM still:
At the boiler lid install a 2" Y connection and add 2 x 1200mm 2" packed columns.
Each column has it's own reflux condenser.
Each column has the same 2" to 1.5" reducer T to direct the vapor.
The 2 x 1.5" connections (1 from each column) join to the gate valve via another Y connection.
The combined vapour passing through my original Leibig and parrot.

Sorry for the lack of drawings, I'll just build it tomorrow and post the pic, easier.

Cheers,

Mech.

[Yummyrum]

I think it should work.
Only issues I can think of is that both columns would need to be packed as identically as you could so that they were identical in their ability to separate fractions otherwise there will be smearing
Having them "commoned" at the top just before the valve might help with equalizing any minor differences .

Hell Mech you seem to have a whole mechano set of staino bits so if anyone can try it ,its you.
Go for it I say :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[TheMechwarrior]

Thanks yummy!

When you take as many years to go from concept to completion as I have you get to accumulate a LOT of bits on the journey.
That said, I had to order a few hundred dollars worth of tri-fittings.

The twin columns will be identical.

Following equilibration the reflux run while be done in half the time with the 2 VM columns...in theory.
For results, star tuned.

[zombie]

That is the concept several others have suggested I try instead of an inner/outer approach.
I like the idea of you building it to try it out. Sounds simple enough. Should run like a champ IMHO!
Even running different columns completely shouldn't matter as long as each were run in its own correct fashion. I'll be waiting to see this.

[Yummyrum]

That is the concept several others have suggested I try instead of an inner/outer approach.
I like the idea of you building it to try it out. Sounds simple enough. Should run like a champ IMHO!
Even running different columns completely shouldn't matter as long as each were run in its own correct fashion. I'll be waiting to see this.

Not quite zombie....
Mech is trying to run two columns in parallel effectively doubling his surface area....whereas you are running yours in series .....If I understand it correctly

[zombie]

Correct on both points Yummyrum.
I understood Mech's idea. Just have a hard time expressing my own thoughts. Good looking out tho...

[TheMechwarrior]

OK,

Quickly this morning I hit my "Mech"ano set of stainless bits to see if I had what I needed and I managed to get the essentials together.
I was concerned that the center lines did not match up between the bottom and the top but I managed to convince myself I had enough alternate parts to make it work, such as shorter Tees and shorted bends etc. We'll see when I get home and attempt to build it.

Note the 1.5" Tee is feeding the vapour path from each of the columns via a 2" to 1.5" reducer Tee.
The single Tee outlet you see above then feeds directly to the gate valve and so on to the Leibig.



Cheers for now,

Mech.

[zombie]

Man... I gotta get some Legos.

[TheMechwarrior]

Mac has all that gear for sale in the online store if you're interested zombie ;)

I purchased mine in a bulk deal from China many years ago, super cheap.

[evant]

Have looked at some ideas myself like this but instead there is only one larger condenser with multiple short packed sections connected to it. The thinking was around height restrictions and getting a larger packed area with less height, would almost look like a large gatling gun with a big condenser on top.

[TheMechwarrior]

Hi evant,

Multiple short columns gives you faster output but the same quality as a single short column, height for the win :D
Did you build it?

[evant]

Not yet, still toying with the idea. Because you are forcing the vapour to interact with more surface would it not in theory give the equivalent of height?

[zombie]

The short answer is no.

For each section the vapor passing thru is only interacting for it's own duration in each column. You would still need multiple distillations to get the same effect as a longer column.

That is what I am trying to work around myself.

What Mech is building will increase output per hour but the "purity" will remain the same as per each column.

The Gatling gun concept is real cool.

[TheMechwarrior]

Here she is, minus the column insulation, gate valve, Leibig and reflux condensers:









I ran out of tri fittings so she'll have to wait a few days until my new supply arrives.

Stay tuned folks.

Cheers,

Mech.

[Yummyrum]

Love you're work Mech :handgestures-thumbupleft:

So now you should be able to run your boiler twice as hard...what size element do you have. ?

[TheMechwarrior]

2400 watts

[Yummyrum]

Should be laughing running at full power.

You have got me thinking about this.I really think its a cool Idea.

If you ran it with double the power than you used to.you should get double the output.

If you ran it it with double the power but twice the reflux ratio you shoyld get the same output as you used to get but the purity would be higher...would be interesting to see by how much.

Got some 2" in the shed ...getting curious..can't wait to see your results with this. :D

[zombie]

Captian Insaino, and his band of Legionnaires.
We will attack the shed a day break! Our quest for Hootch will not be denied!!!
They can take our country but they cannot take our spirits! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheMechwarrior]

Tank bottom valve (2") located for $75US (ex China)


I also ordered some spares last night (ferrules, clamps, PTFE seals and 45 degree bends) so my twin column is going to sit idle for a good week or more while I wait for my stainless order to arrive from China. Unless my buddy swings by and drops some spares in to me before then.

Cheers for now,

Mech.

[zombie]

Your price on that valve seems pretty stiff.
Have you considered registering as a business, and buying wholesale... local merchants? Most of what you use can be bought thru Marine vendors.
I opened Back Yard Performance Scooters some time ago, and saved big buck buying wholesale scooter parts. Sometimes a hobby outgrows it's crib, and needs to start a life of it's own. I'm sure you could even list some of the bits you buy for sale on the forums.

Just a few thoughts... sorry for sidetracking your build.