That’s One BIG Condenser

grim

Whew, that was a tricky build.

Fiji_Spirits

What’s the crossover pipe between the reflux in and out? What’s it for?

grim

You can’t see it, but the top part of that tee is the Johnson actuated valve.

I control the reflux condenser temp by varying the bypass - the pump is constant flow rate.

So I can either pass 100% of the flow through the bypass, or condenser, or vary any which way.

We put it close to the RC to reduce the dead time - which was causing the controller to oscillate a bit.

Fiji_Spirits

Is it a three way valve? Love to see that detail better. That’s a clever implementation i hadn’t seen or thought if before

grim

Yes, correct. This arrangement will not dead-head the pump.

grim

This:

Fiji_Spirits

So even with the balancing valve it was oscillating?

Fiji_Spirits

How do you like those big ass procaps? What are your impressions thus far?

It looks like it’ll move some product thru there. What’s your ABV take off and flow rate?

I feel like I’m asking about a supercar... “so does it run more like a Maclaren or an Audi R8?” Either way it’s fucking sexy.

Smaug

@grim, don't forget to get some scrubber material installed into the 12" to 4" reducer atop the condenser. This will ensure more uniform distribution of vapor into all of the through tubes rather than vapor shooting down the handfull of tubes that are directly under the vapor entry.

We have since transitioned over to side entry reducers that also have the vapor entry port installed on a tangent. This promotes a whirlpool action that better allows for uniform vapor distribution into the through tubes. But the scrubber material should do a nice job of uniform distribution.

Looks like a tidy job there btw. Should run like a scalded dog!

grim

Oops. That’ll need to wait for the next time we break it open.

I don’t think anyone really has an appreciation for how heavy that setup is.

I was going to weigh it, but rigging was tricky.

I’d wager a guess at 400-500 pounds for just the condenser.

Smaug

I usually put one under each arm and a third one carried with both hands out to the truck......honest.

punkin

He can carry another one in a pinch if he takes his pants off.

But someone has to open the door for him.

Smaug

@punkin said: He can carry another one in a pinch if he takes his pants off.

But someone has to open the door for him.

That only works when I'm happy to see "ya".

DonMateo

Hey @Smaug, how many cooling tubes are there in that condensor ?? About 60?? that thing has got to weigh at least a hundred kilos.

grim

60? Not even close. 141.

DonMateo

For a 2000l boiler ?? I really like the idea of the scrubbers, thats just brilliant.

grim

1000l - 2 hour stripping run start to finish?

Smaug

@grim said: 1000l - 2 hour stripping run start to finish?

That include heat up time? Collection speed?

richard

How many KW are you throwing at the strip

grim

I have 15hp steam, so lets say 140kw

grim

Couldn’t get past 20 gallons an hour - fighting foam. Need to get anti foam and see how much harder I can push it. Was 3.2 pounds on the gauge, fastest I was ever able to run.

Smaug

Distillate temps and top 2/3 of your HX otherwise nice and cool?

grim

For sure, plenty of headroom if not for the foam up.

Smaug

Cup (actual cup) of heavy whipping cream....

CothermanDistilling

@Smaug said: Cup (actual cup) of heavy whipping cream....

Rumchata?

Smaug

@CothermanDistilling said:

That too. Hahaha. Just some fat in the kettle to kill the foam up.

Fiji_Spirits

We used to use coconut oil from our liquor making process. Had lots of it and it still had ethanol in it so it was a good use for it.