Still Design Page
For a still you basically need a large bucket (one of those heavy plastic ones), of a 20L or so capacity. The bucket needs a lip on the inside so that the condenser can sit on it. Near the base of the "bucket" you need to put a standard jug element (1.5kW), to heat the wash.
The Condenser
The condenser in my "pot" still, is a half sphere of stainless steel, which fits nicely into the top of the bucket, and on the ledge (note this should be only when the still is hot, if the still were cold when it fitted just right, the temperature increase expands the plastic more than the metal, and the condenser could fall in). In the very top of this, a 25mm pipe should be attatched, it should be about 120mm high. About 75mm above the sphere, a 12mm pipe should be joined in (about 250mm of it), but on a downwards shope of about 45 degrees. On the outside of this a 18mm pipe (about 200mm of it) should be attatched (in the middle of the other), so that water could flow all around the inside pipe. The outer pipe also needs two water points attatched so that water can be run through it, one at the bottom (inlet), and one at the top (outlet). In the top of the 25mm pipe a thermometer (10-110 C) will need to be placed, mine has a rubber bung that the thermometer fits through, and should be about 25mm through the rubber (the rubber bungs I remember from high school chemistry, so should be available somewhere).
Approximate Conversions for them Americans
25mm = 1 inch
75mm = 3 inches
12mm = 1/2 inch
18mm = 3/4 inch
200mm = 8 inches
250mm = 10 inches
10 - 110 C = just above freezing to a bit above boiling of water
This could also be done using all stainless steel, with a stove underneath (this is harder as the correct amount of heat is given with the element, but could be quicker to get up to a suitable temperature?). The water flow should be about 600mL / minute (2 coke cans or so).
For a reflux still and some pictures seeThe HOOCH Page
Any Comments, Questions Send E-Mail toa-hinman@ihug.co.nz