outdoor amenities

Liquid selection unit which manufacturer is better. Do-it-yourself distillation column

Selection node under the clamp 1.5 inches - a necessary accessory for rectification, as well as the selection of the head and tail fractions on the distiller. Selection node glass type 1.5 inches is designed in such a way that, with a glass inside, the accumulated strongest and purest alcohol vapors passing through the selection unit itself settle and exit through a silicone tube connected to the selection unit, from where the purest and strongest product comes out.

Using this device in the column, you can select “heads” and “tails” by adjusting the selection with a needle valve or a Hoffmann clamp.
The sampling unit is equipped with two tubes, the first one for the thermometer and the second tube for the reflux outlet, on which a needle valve or a Hofmag clamp is installed to adjust the flow. The needle valve must be installed through a silicone hose, since the liquid outlet tube in this device is not equipped with a thread!

There is a caveat: the Hoffmann clamp in some cases may not completely block the selection!

For rectification:

Install the selection unit on the drawer side, securing it with a clamp. After the sampling unit, install an inverted condenser that returns cooled phlegm to the column or a powerful reflux condenser (during distillation). Insert a thermometer into the fitting to control the temperature*. Install a needle cock or a Hoffmann clamp on the reflux outlet tube through the silicone hose and close it completely. Next, start heating the cube (at a tank temperature of 60 - 70 degrees, cool the refrigerator as much as possible by directing the flow of water). After the column has warmed up, it needs to work on itself for at least 40 minutes until the temperature stabilizes. After that, smoothly open the needle valve, not forgetting about the stabilization of the temperature, and adjust the selection of heads drop by drop. After selecting the heads, proceed to the selection of the body, not allowing the temperature to deviate from the stable temperature by more than 0.2 degrees, with such a deviation, it is necessary to close the needle valve until the temperature stabilizes. A constant deviation of temperature, and the impossibility of its stabilization at the primary level, will inform you about the termination of the selection of the body. For complete rectification, it is necessary to complete the device with an aftercooler.

To select heads:

If the reflux condenser on your equipment is at least 200 mm and is equipped with at least 5 tubes, then install the selection unit in front of the reflux condenser on the frame, securing it with a clamp. Insert a thermometer into the fitting to control the temperature*. Install a needle cock or a Hoffmann clamp on the reflux outlet tube through the silicone hose and close it completely. Start heating the cube (cooling the reflux condenser as much as possible, directing the flow of water). After the column has warmed up, let it work for itself for 15-20 minutes, then slowly open the needle valve and adjust the selection of heads drop by drop, about 1 drop per second. After selecting the heads, turn off the tap, proceed to the selection of the body according to the classical scheme.

There is also the most advanced head selection scheme, install the device according to the bottom-up scheme:

– column with packed part

- diopter

- dephlegmator

– selection unit

- upside down refrigerator

With such a scheme, only high-boiling fractions will break through through a very thin cooling supply to the reflux condenser. The refrigerator will cool them and send them to the exit using our device. The diopter in this scheme is necessary to visualize the returned phlegm and control the supply of cooling.

Try both options.

For tailings:

Install the selection node between the cube and the lower side. During the operation of the column, set a drop-by-drop selection on yourself - approximately 1-2 drops in 3-5 seconds. Control the selection with a crane or a Hoffmann clamp. Tailings may occur throughout the distillation.

For installation, do not forget to purchase additional clamp and gasket!

The selection unit is made entirely of stainless steel AISI304. Features a 1.5" double-ended clamp connection, silicone hose outlet diameter 8 mm.

* – The product is not equipped with a thermometer!

Manufacturer: Russia

I continue to think about the optimal design of the apparatus and invariably come to the conclusion that the steam extraction is not universal.

To begin with, let me remind you: both types of selection involve the presence of a reflux condenser and the return of part of the condensed phlegm (as the condensate of an alcohol-containing vapor is called) back to the column / cube. Only a part of the phlegm is taken away, forming the final product. About what and why this is done, you can read.
During steam extraction, steam is partially condensed in the reflux condenser and the condensed part is returned to the column/cube, while the uncondensed part passes further to a special refrigerator-condenser, where it turns into a product and cools.
With liquid extraction, all steam is condensed in a reflux condenser, and then in a special dispenser (it is often called the "Selection Unit" or UO) is divided into the part returned to the column / cube and the part taken, which is discharged to the aftercooler (in which the product is simply cooled and there is no condensation - there is no steam).

Judge for yourself – the steam extraction option requires more attention when setting up at the stages of selection of the head fraction and transition to the selection of the main body. Regardless of the type of cube heating, accurate and quick adjustment is difficult, and in some variations it is simply impossible (discrete heaters, gas, short dephlegmators, etc.). It is often not possible to set the amount of head selection at the required low limit at all. All this affects the quality of the product and its final output.

And with liquid selection, everything is much simpler and more convenient. The reflux condenser converts all steam into phlegm, which, after passing the UO, is divided into two streams - return and selection. And the value of both flows depends on how much of the product we want to select. Dosing of the selection is carried out purely mechanically - by the size of the hole through which the product is taken (well, or by the frequency of opening the valve when using automation). Having once picked up the "jet" for the desired amount of selection, we forever close the topic of adjusting the selection at one level or another. Water adjustment is not needed at all - the dephlegmator always works “at full”. Power adjustment comes down to two or three values: “head”, “body” and “tails”, or, more simply, “head” and “body” (when using automation it is more difficult, well, these adjustments are not for you to do).

Why do I write these platitudes? Recently, people began to buy BCs (classic ones with steam extraction) and get packing drawers to them, justifying these additional devices with the desire to get a better product. Of course, the drawer side can give a good separation and allow you to further strengthen the product in any case (with a corresponding decrease in performance). But you need to correctly adjust the amount of return and power so that the tsarga works in certain modes and without choking. How to do this in the absence of any means, even visual control on the BC? Only by selecting parameters with inevitable losses in time and product. And what about head selection? You can, of course, greatly dilute the SS (raw alcohol or the product of the first distillation without crushing into fractions, it is already irrational to work with mash on packed drawers - the process stretches in time, prolonged boiling of the mash is undesirable) and take the head deeper, but this leads to large losses final product and still does not give "full guarantees" of quality.

BC with steam extraction is also called a distiller with fortification. And you need to treat it with the right expectations - right from the mash you can get strong moonshine with improved drinking characteristics at the exit. But moonshine. Actually, for many and in many cases this is quite enough and you can work at the bookmaker without any special stages.

If you want to take the next step - to get also NDRP (under-rectified, i.e. the product is clean and strong, but with traces of the source) or even more alcohol, you need to immediately choose a construct with liquid selection. It is much easier to immediately purchase a dephlegmator-stick for the same money instead of a classic BC (for 38 pipes from 4 thousand rubles, for 51 - from 6 thousand rubles) for a certain capacity and build an expanded system on its basis.

You can stretch a silicone tube on the TCA, wrap it in a loop, drop water there and watch the entire shoulder strap as a centimeter water plug will hang slightly back and forth the entire shoulder strap, depending on pressure fluctuations. And there will be no influx of new air from the outside.

An amazing feeling of discussion with oneself, only with one who is still young.

I suggested using the gas exchange control device in the dephlegmator 8 years ago, on August 22, 2009, when I understood little about rectification, and called it “Igor's pretzel”. Many still call it that today. If there are earlier references to such a device, I will once again find out that I was mistaken.

When starting and stopping the selection, and even with a sharp change in the rate of selection, the dephlegmator makes a noticeable “inhale-exhale”, swallowing at least 10-20 cm3 of air containing 2-4 cm3 of oxygen, which weighs only 2.5-5 milligrams. It seems to be very little, but this is enough for 7-14 milligrams of acetaldehyde to form in the reflux condenser and spoil (bring out of the standard) several liters of alcohol.

Happiness is. that in a reflux condenser without copper and silver parts there are no catalysts that accelerate the reaction of the interaction of alcohol with oxygen, and oxidation does not occur completely. But that doesn't mean it doesn't happen at all.

According to my observation, the amount of newly formed aldehyde in a standard vertical dephlegmator with a diameter of 50-60 mm is slightly less than 1 milligram per hour, and in inclined dephlegmators it is about 3-4 milligrams per hour. If the reflux condenser is made of a copper tube, then 3-5 times more.

If everything was limited to acetaldehyde, it would be tolerable. But in the gas (non-condensing) part of the reflux condenser, gases from bulk moonshine accumulate. And there are more than enough sulfur and nitrogen compounds, which are reluctant, but still react with hot vaporous ethanol, forming a whole bunch of acetals and (not sure yet) CH3CH2SH substance, which differs from ethanol by just one molecule and smell.

It's time to return to the design of the dephlegmator.

If the steam condenses completely in the reflux condenser and there is no steam exit from the TCA, then the dimroth coils are not fully involved, and some part of the reflux condenser is filled with nitrogen, oxygen and non-condensable gases from moonshine. These substances (except nitrogen) sluggishly, but still react with ethanol, forming impurities that we do not need at all. The rate of formation of these impurities depends on a number of factors, one of which is the area of contact between the gas and vapor zones of the dephlegmator. In inclined dephlegmators, this zone is many times larger than in vertical ones, which explains the increased formation of impurities in such structures.

Even if the dephlegmator is locked, and the selection does not have sharp drops and Igor's pretzel shows no gas exchange, those substances that are initially present in the gas zone of the dephlegmator (oxygen) and those that come from the bulk (nitrogen and sulfur compounds) are enough to noticeably spoil the alcohol . And if the reflux condenser breathes at start-stop, the situation is aggravated.

Given the above, I have long abandoned non-vertical dephlegmators and (no offense) I believe that those who make such structures and use them, to put it mildly, understand little in rectification.

The main argument of "horizontals" and "slopers" is saving the height of the nozzle.

Forced to disappoint, savings do not work. But this is a topic for another conversation.

The post turned out to be long, so the method and place of the output of the lower intermediate ones is in the next message.

How to make a distillate extraction unit for a distillation column

If you decide to make your own distillation column- you are doing the right thing. Previously, this mechanism was used only on an industrial scale at distilleries. This is due to the fact that the structure occupied several meters in height and was quite voluminous in area. However, progress does not stand still. Gradually, studying the basic mechanisms and processes of rectification, the specialists managed to recreate a reduced copy of the factory sample. A modern distillation column can easily fit in the kitchen of even the smallest apartment, not to mention a garage or a private house. At the same time, the product obtained at the output of such an apparatus will be no worse than the factory one, and perhaps even better. After all, the quality and taste of the drink will depend on you, or rather on the raw materials that you will use to make homemade alcohol.

Today we will look at how to make one of the parts of a distillation column - a distillate selection unit.

It is not uncommon for people who decide to assemble a distillation column do not have the opportunity and skills to turn some parts on a lathe. Therefore, we will describe how to make a distillate selection unit at home, using improvised means. You will need the following components for this job:

* Two arbors with different diameters (you can use bearings of a suitable diameter).

* A ball from a large bearing (in the absence of a suitable bearing, any other cone-shaped object can be used).

* Stainless plate, up to 1 mm thick.

* A hammer.

* Drill with 7 mm drill.

We take a stainless steel plate. It needs to be screwed up. Using a compass, we outline the diameter of our future washer. Draw some circles. We do this in order to be guided by them when fitting the product. Next, we drill a hole in the middle, with a diameter of 7 mm. We put the workpiece on the bearing hole so that their center points coincide. On top of this design we put a large ball, the diameter of which is 15-16 mm. We hit it with a hammer several times. As a result of this, the workpiece will bend, the edges will rise, and the hole will expand. We need to make the edges at an angle that will tend to 90°. To do this, we take another bearing (its diameter should be smaller than that of the first one) or a mandrel, put it on top and beat with a hammer. The mandrel must be taken such that at the end it rests against the ball and the edge of the workpiece at the same time. Thus, it beads the edge of the sleeve and you get an almost right angle. It makes no sense to achieve an absolutely right angle.

Next, we cut off the excess metal and grind it with a file. We grind according to the markup with
larger to smaller diameter. In the course of grinding, try on the washer to the pipe. In its final form, it must go into the pipe with an interference fit. The washer should not hang out and, moreover, fall out. Next, we take the pipe, which is intended for the column, cut off the sleeve 2 cm with a hacksaw. We cut it off evenly. In case of irregularities - we level with a file. We also remove the facets. Next, we grind the workpiece with sandpaper. We clamp the sleeve in a vice and saw the wall from one side. We saw so that the sleeve, when compressed, had an outer diameter that would correspond to the inner diameter of the pipe. The bushing must forcefully enter the pipe. Try to make sure that there is no gap at the cutting site or was minimal. We take the mandrel and, resting against the edges, we put the sleeve into the pipe to the depth we need. Usually it is 25-30 centimeters from the edge of the pipe. Check how tight the sleeve is. If it's tight, leave it as is. If there is a gap - it is necessary to solder. To do this, we drill 3-4 holes in the pipe in the place where the sleeve is located. Hole diameter 5-6 mm. After that, we take a drill twice as large in diameter and countersink the edges of the holes. Be careful not to drill through the bushing. We solder with a heated soldering iron in the places obtained, after which we check the reliability of the connection. It must be strong and the parts must not loosen. Next, you need to put on 2 profile bushings (they do not need to be fixed). They will hold due to springy properties and tensile strength. The only condition that needs to be met in this situation is the fact that the sleeve must receive the correct circle during processing. After we have assembled and soldered the structure, we drive the support washer on the other side of the pipe. It should be inserted without tension, freely. Next, completely fill the tube with a nozzle.

For those who have access to a lathe and the skills to work on it, we offer another version of the distillate extraction unit of the distillation column. Everything is much simpler here, and does not require special comments. It is necessary to machine the profile sleeve so that it, as in the embodiment described above,

entered the pipe with tension. We fix it with spot soldering. The resulting product, after you rinse it with warm water, will be ready for use. Here's what the finished design looks like:

Nozzle
Pipe
Distillate sampling tube
Place of soldering
distillate outlet
profile sleeve
support washer

Distillers create a distillation column with their own hands. This equipment is highly efficient. Columns allow you to separate liquids into fractions. RK is the highest class of household moonshine installations.

Moonshine is obtained at the distiller, and pure alcohol is obtained at the distiller. The rectification process is based on the interaction of liquid and steam. In the presence of necessary equipment get pure alcohol. Columns are plate-shaped and packed.

Moonshiners use packed columns, which lead to the separation of alcohol into fractions.

Distillation column "Thermosphere F43"

Distillation column device:

tsarga with filler;
alcohol selection unit;
dephlegmator;
additional refrigerator.

Braga is in the still, which is heated. As the temperature rises, evaporation occurs. Vapors (alcohols, ethers, and so on) rush upward along the side and reach the refrigerator with a selection unit. On the initial stage tap is closed.

Phlegm - condensed steam - descends into the column through the tube. Heavy fractions accumulate at the bottom, light ones at the top.

The column is filled with nozzles. The steam condenses repeatedly, and the liquid evaporates on the elements of the installation. As a result of this exchange between liquid and vapor, part of the low-boiling component is drawn down.

The reflux ratio is the ratio of the amount of condensate that is returned to the column to that which goes to the selection. The FC for alcohol is 8–9, for noble distillates it is 6–7. As soon as the tap is opened, it is important to maintain the correct reflux ratio.

Column operation modes:

Distillation. Passes without separation.
noble distillates. If the number of nozzles or the pipe is reduced in the column, conditions are created for obtaining calvados and chacha. In this mode, the PF is 6–7. The strength of alcohol is 94.5⁰.
Obtaining rectified alcohol. The nozzles in the column are all the way to the top. Reflux number - 9. Alcohol strength 96.4⁰.

Advantages and disadvantages of the rectification method

Distillation columns have pros and cons. RK are:

Brazhny.
With liquid selection.
With the selection of a couple.
Combined.

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of all types.

Brazhnye columns

The role of a dephlegmator is played by a refrigerator. Advantages:

simple design;
cheapness;
easy to manufacture;
distiller + RK.

Flaws:

Non-obvious management (not understanding how much phlegm is returned, you can not estimate the number).
Change of FC in time.
Requirements for constant water temperature.

Column for moonshine still must have:

Adjustable selection node.
atmospheric valve.
High performance dehumidifier.

Sampling by liquid

The distillation column scheme for Alex's Bokakob moonshine with inclined planes is used. Having peeped the idea from Bokakob, they cut out two pieces of copper and make cuts. Today they use a selection unit with inclined plates, which the designer came up with.

Advantages:

inexpensive;
easy assembly;
distiller and distillation column.

Flaws:

FC changes over time;
non-transparent management.

The HF changes, so you need to constantly tighten the tap. It is not comfortable.

Pair selection

Working principle: steam rises and separation takes place. Part goes up, the other goes to the right. Determining the through holes, set the reflux number.

Proportions are always preserved. In practice, this means that there is no need to constantly be around. Only when the “tails” start to go do they turn off the equipment.

Advantages:

simple design;
inexpensive;
stable selection.

The column cannot be used as a distiller. This is the only downside. Braga in this RK cannot be distilled.

Combined types

Combined liquid and vapor selection. The highlight happens in pairs. Select "heads" by liquid.

not difficult;
inexpensive;
performs the functions of a distiller and a column;
the process is stable.

The combined column has no disadvantages.

The choice of material for the manufacture of equipment

For the manufacture of RK it is better to use stainless steel. Materials must be inert to alcohol vapors. It is not practical to fill columns of a small type with such contact elements as trays. They install nozzles:

grids;
rings;
balls.

The simplest version of the nozzle is metal mesh for washing dishes. Make sure they are made of stainless steel.

A distillation apparatus is easier to assemble than to make yourself. Without experience it will not be possible to solve this problem. To know what to buy for assembly, you need to calculate the profitability.

Calculations

First, the capabilities of the RC are determined. There are online calculators that can help you do this. The column is calculated based on the height:

Ceiling of the room - 2550 mm.
Dephlegmator - 300 mm.
Cuba - 400 mm.
An additional 50 millimeters.

Total get: 2550 + 300 + 400 + 50 = 1800 (column height).

Calculation of the volume of a cube

Consider that the tank is filled to 2/3 of the volume. This means that for a column with d = 50 mm, a cube of 40–80 liters is suitable. If the drawer side diameter is 40 mm, the volume of the container is 30–50 liters. An alembic such as a pressure cooker is suitable for d = 28 mm.

Calculation of a once-through refrigerator

There are coefficients that are guided by. The first option for refrigerators with good water circulation is 850 W/m2S. The coefficient in a conventional coil is 150 W/m2S.

The voltage at the regulator is 100 volts. Get: 100 * 100: 19.3 = 518 watts.

Power calculation

For a distillation cube of 50 liters, 4 kW is needed. A 3 kW heating element is enough to use for a 40 liter tank, and a 2 kW electric heater is required for a 30 liter tank.

Dephlegmator calculation

A Dimroth cooler is suitable for liquid extraction RK. Utilization power - 4–5 W per 1 sq. cm.

Estimated power of the RK with steam extraction is 2/3 of the nominal one. Utilization power - 2 W per 1 sq. cm.

If the column has a diameter of 50 mm, the further calculation is as follows: the rated power is divided by the utilization one. Get: 1950: 5 = 390 cm².

The dephlegmator is made, taking into account the parameters:

pipe length;
power;
stock.

Column manufacturing technology

First make dimrot. They take 4 meters of copper, which they bend around and wind dimrot. For this use lathe. The pipe can be wound by holding it in a vise. This process is simple. The tube easily enters, and the required number of turns is wound.

The distance between them is 1 mm, so the turns are slightly pushed apart. Total length - 28 cm, loop - 5–6 cm.

In order to assemble the column, you need to prepare materials:

pipe 3.2 m (base of the drawer);
copper pipe - 35 mm d;
insulation 9 mm thick;
tubes (15; 10; 8);
tube d 4 mm (4 meters);
threaded flanges;
angle 90⁰;
tee;
plug (35 mm);
adapter from 35 to 15;
needle valve;
fittings for cooling supply;
flux and solder;
water supply system;
nozzles;
needle valves - 2 pcs.;
tee.

Column body

Columns are made from the following materials:

copper;
of stainless steel;
glass.

Basically, the body of the installation is made of stainless steel pipe. Assemble equipment by welding or soldering. In some sources, you can read that RK cannot be made from copper.

If the column was assembled correctly, it can be installed on a home-made moonshine still. RK is made so that it fits any tank from 20 to 50 liters.

Nozzle

There is an industrial filler:

Spiral prismatic nozzles:

copper 4 x 4 x 0.3 (500 ml) - 2560 rubles;
stainless steel 4 x 4 x 0.25 (500 ml) - 1850 r.

Rashig ceramic rings (1 kg) - 2050 r.
Panchenkov nozzles:

copper 50 x 10 - 620 rubles;
stainless steel 50 x 10 - 290 r.

Most available material- metal mesh for washing dishes.

thermal insulation

Suitable insulation material:

withstands high temperatures;
chemically inert;
silicone and fluoroplastic gaskets.

Do not use rubber gaskets, as they affect the quality of the alcohol.

RK - universal equipment. The plant has good performance and small dimensions.

Distillation column "Spirtmash"

How to make a column for rectification?

A distillation column of fittings and drawers is assembled independently at home.

Example #1

For work you will need materials:

pipe;
fitting;
thermometer;
welding machine;
nozzles.

First, take a pipe (d 30–50 mm) of the required length. If required, cut. lower part covered with metal mesh. Washcloths or springs are used as a filler. Nets for washing dishes (30–40 pieces) are cut into small pieces. The pipe is filled with the obtained fragments, covered with a mesh and fixed with a washer.

Installed on a distillation cube and insulated. The upper part of the tsargi is closed with a lid. A hole is made in the cork and a tube is inserted there. At the bottom - a hole for the distillate. Under it is a plate for collecting phlegm.

A silicone hose connects the column and the refrigerator. A medical dropper is attached to the hose.

A hole is drilled in the upper part, where a 15 mm tube is mounted. It is inserted at an angle and soldered. This is the place for the thermometer. The drawer side is connected with a fitting to the cube branch pipe.

Example #2

A simple column can be made from the following materials:

Pipes 120–150 cm, 30–40 mm in diameter.
Dephlegmator (length 20–30 cm).

For the column, you need to buy 18 metal washcloths. The body of the reflux condenser can be made from a thermos, which is soldered to the side.

Then pipes are mounted on the drain and water supply. There is also a tube through which chilled water circulates. It connects the refrigerator to the reflux condenser. The installation uses a clamp from a medical dropper. This design uses a laboratory refrigerator.

Example #3

Assemble more complex installations. A steam selection unit is added to the Nixon-Stone column. A nut (3/4 inch) is welded to the tee. Next, insert a tap with a through hole of 20 mm. Outlet diameter - 18 mm. The narrowest diameter of the steam extraction tube is 16 mm. The RK refrigerator is 38-40cm.

Distillers create structures based on the Nixon system with their own hands. The device of the moonshine still with RK contains:

Cube for 70 l.
TEN 2 kW and 1 kW.
Copper king.
Sukhoparnik.
The Nixon system with the return of phlegm.
Dimrot (3 meters).

Example #4

Do-it-yourself distillation column for the production of 40 liters of alcohol. The reflux ratio is adjustable. The design consists of the following parts:

Traffic jams.
Sealing nuts.
Tubes for a thermometer.
Dephlegmator housings.
Discharge of warm water.
supply cold water into the dephlegmator.
Pipes.
Filler.
Dephlegmator.
Evaporation cube.
Safety valve.

The structure is assembled by welding or soldering. All connections are checked for tightness.

Selection of finished equipment

The Antonych 2.1 distillation column (2 inches) costs 15,856.14 rubles. The design is independently assembled on the Antonych 1.5-V home distiller, having bought an additional drawer. The distiller costs 9542.77 rubles.

The “Medium” SS-2 PRO installation with a 70 cm drawer side costs 13,400 rubles. bubble column mounted with an additional stainless steel pipe. You can purchase a 1.5-inch kit with a 50 cm side for 15,000 rubles. Installation price for 2 inches - 16,000 rubles. Drinks up to 96.5⁰ alcohol are obtained on this column.

When buying a distiller, pay attention to the size of the reflux condenser. He has to deal with rectification. Distiller "Stillman-Cosmo" - equipment that produces pure alcohol. The set costs 18,450 rubles. To obtain ethyl alcohol, they additionally buy a tsarga.

The distillation column "Doctor Guber" is completely collapsible. The design can be improved and made universal. Installation without a cube costs 15,539 rubles.

In general, there is a choice, and in any case, you will get moonshine good quality. Preference depends on consumer convenience and price.