158 distiller
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boiler feed water. It should have no more than 0.25% ABV,
which can be tested by condensing vapor from, say, the 10th
tray, with an ebulliometer or by distillation and an alco-
hol hydrometer.
ere is also a system used in heating a column that employs
a thermo-compressor to recover steam from the effluent, but
that is not the subject of this article.
Original beer columns used vertical, not the modern multi-
pass horizontal design.
e table illustration on p. 158below is a rough chart of
capacities for beer columns with different diameters. e
principle of column distillation is illustrated in Exhibit 2.
Please note that the foregoing is not a definitive guide to
the design of the two stripping systems described. Many vari-
ations can be employed.
Also, with regard to the above engineering factors, it is nec-
essary to consider tray design, condenser configurations and
materials of construction. Sizing of condensers in relation to
water temperature and availability is also a factor. Air-cooled
condensers have also been used in countries where water is
a limited resource. Pump motors in the vicinity of the still
should be explosion proof. END
To convert USPG/HR to USG/HR: for 60% ABV
USPG x 100/120 = USG. eq 48 US pg = 40 USG @ 60%
• Capacities above are based on a clean column with
adequately sized holes in trays to suit the beer feed
type, ie., corn vs. molasses. Rye can reduce throughput.
Downcomers must also be properly sized
• Output at 60% ABV (120 US pf.) is based on having up to
8 rectifying trays (bubble caps or tunnels) to achieve this
ABV without excessive reflux. The above does not apply to
a vapor re-use rectifier.
• Beer column with 8 rect. trays should produce a flavorful
spirit that can be further purified in a batch or continu-
ous rectifier.
• Neutral spirit (for vodka or gin) may require a purifier
(heads) column or extractive column.
