Balancing the column

[raybies]

Howdy,

In a post, Stig mentioned you shouldn't mix and match packing material, which got me thinking. How do I properly check and balance my column?

I have a 35L Robobrew, operating on the 1900W element.
From the boiler, the setup is all 2":

- Stainless steel 50mm probe section with 1 x SS packing.
- Stainless steel 200mm glass section with 3 x bubble plates.
- Copper 220mm dephlegmator (not shown in photo).
- Stainless steel 50mm probe section with 1 x SS packing.
- Copper 500mm AlcoEngine Reflux with 8 x copper packing.
In total, 1020mm, ~17:1 ratio.

I cool it with a pool pump and garden hose Y (for separate condenser and dephlegmator control) and use the dephlegmator to better control the temperature in the AlcoEngine instead of the reflux rate, bcos I don't have boiler control it can get a little too hot.
My runs have been quite successful, usually peaking at 93%.
How do I determine if my column is operating optimally? Any reference documentation or book recommendation appreciated.
I've read 2" bubble plates are useless and pointless, but I am yet to discover the exact reason why, so if you know why please let me know.
What can I do to enhance its performance? I know boiler temperature control is an issue, bcos I don't have it.
I think I also need a cooling jacket for the output spout, as the product usually comes out in the 40's, but I might need to make one myself as I haven't seen any for sale.

Thanks.

[The Stig]

If you remove the plated sections you will notice that there will be no difference to the output % or speed.
A 2” plate doesn’t have the surface area to do what a plate is supposed to do.
People ring me asking about adding plates under a T500 and I always turn them away , it will do nothing other than look good and waste money

[The Stig]

Oh and a power controller would do you the world of good
https://5stardistilling.com/product/pow ... 00w-10amp/

[raybies]

If you remove the plated sections you will notice that there will be no difference to the output % or speed.
A 2” plate doesn’t have the surface area to do what a plate is supposed to do.
People ring me asking about adding plates under a T500 and I always turn them away , it will do nothing other than look good and waste money

I've got 4 more reflux runs in, and there is about a 10% difference compared to the 40cm packed w/ 6 x ss scrubbers section. While you're correct that there is a margin of error in both top % and speed, the bubblers maintain the 93-90% for 0.9L longer in an 18L/40% wash. They don't have anywhere near the effect of a dephlegmator, but they definitely seem to have a positive effect. With the packed section, it will start off at the same 93%, then steadily decline to 80% before sharply falling off. With the plate section, it will also start at 93%, very slowly decline to 90%, and then start to fall off rapidly. The washes have been slightly different, but all were ~40%, so not a completely objective test. However, I'm convinced they do work... btw, these are the "new" bubbler plate design.
The column was balanced @ 78-80c through all runs until tails.

[The Stig]

Nothing “new” about the pro caps