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

The distiller produces moonshine, and the distiller produces pure alcohol. The rectification process is based on the interaction of liquid and steam. If you have the necessary equipment, pure alcohol is obtained. Columns can be plate-shaped or packed.

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

Distillation column "Thermosphere F43"

Distillation column design:

• drawer with filler;
• alcohol selection unit;
• reflux condenser;
• refrigerator is additional.

The mash is in a distillation cube, which is heated. As the temperature increases, evaporation occurs. Vapors (alcohols, ethers, etc.) rush upward along the drawer and reach the refrigerator with a selection unit. At the initial stage, the tap is closed.

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

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

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

Column operating modes:

1. Distillation. Passes without division.
2. Noble distillates. If the number of nozzles or pipes in the column is reduced, conditions are created for the production of Calvados and chacha. In this mode, the PF is 6–7. The alcohol strength is 94.5⁰.
3. Obtaining rectified alcohol. The nozzles in the column are located all the way to the top. Reflux ratio - 9. Alcohol strength 96.4⁰.

Advantages and disadvantages of the rectification method

Distillation columns have pros and cons. RKs are:

1. Brassy.
2. With liquid selection.
3. With a selection of couples.
4. Combined.

Let's look at the advantages and disadvantages of all types.

Brass columns

The refrigerator plays the role of a reflux condenser. Advantages:

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

Flaws:

1. Non-obvious management (not understanding how much phlegm is returned, the number cannot be estimated).
2. Change of PF over time.
3. Requirements for constant water temperature.

The column for a moonshine still must have:

• Adjustable selection unit.
• Atmospheric valve.
• High-performance reflux condenser.

Selection by liquid

A distillation column diagram for Alex’s Bokakob moonshine still with inclined planes is used. Having picked up the idea from Bokakob, they cut out two pieces of copper and make cuts. Today they use a selection unit with inclined plates, which was invented by the designer.

Advantages:

• inexpensive;
• easy assembly;
• distiller and distillation column.

Flaws:

• The PF changes over time;
• non-transparent management.

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

Selection by couple

Operating principle: steam rises and separation occurs. Some go up, some go to the right. When determining the through holes, the reflux ratio is set.

Proportions are always maintained. In practice, this means that there is no need to constantly be nearby. Only when the “tails” begin to flow do they turn off the equipment.

Advantages:

• simple design;
• inexpensive;
• stable selection.

The column cannot be used as a distiller. This is the only drawback. Braga cannot be distilled in this Republic of Kazakhstan.

Combined types

Combined liquid and steam selection. The main point happens in pairs. The “heads” are selected based on the liquid.

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

The combined column has no disadvantages.

Selection of material for the manufacture of equipment

For the manufacture of RC it is better to use stainless steel. Materials must be inert to alcohol vapors. It is not practical to fill small columns with contact elements such as plates. Nozzles are installed in them:

• grids;
• rings;
• balls.

The simplest nozzle option is metal mesh for washing dishes. You should make sure that they are made of stainless steel.

It is easier to assemble a rectification apparatus than to make it 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 Republic of Kazakhstan are determined. There are online calculators that can help you do this. The column is calculated based on its height:

1. The ceiling of the room is 2550 mm.
2. Dephlegmator - 300 mm.
3. Cuba - 400 mm.
4. Another additional 50 millimeters.

The total is: 2550 + 300 + 400 + 50 = 1800 (column height).

Calculation of cube volume

Take into account that the tank is filled to 2/3 of its volume. This means that for a column with d = 50 mm, a cube of 40–80 liters is suitable. If the diameter of the drawer is 40 mm, the volume of the container is 30–50 liters. A distillation cube such as a pressure cooker is suitable for d = 28 mm.

Calculation of a once-through refrigerator

There are coefficients that are oriented towards. The first option for refrigerators with good water circulation is 850 W/m2C. The coefficient in a conventional coil is 150 W/m2C.

The voltage on the regulator is 100 volts. They get: 100 * 100: 19.3 = 518 watts.

Power calculation

For a still of 50 liters you need 4 kW. A 3 kW heating element is enough to use for a 40 liter tank, and for a 30 liter tank you will need a 2 kW electric heater.

Dephlegmator calculation

A Dimroth refrigerator is suitable for liquid withdrawal refrigeration systems. Utilization power - 4–5 W per 1 sq. cm.

The design power of the RC with steam extraction is 2/3 of the nominal. 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 capacity. They get: 1950: 5 = 390 cm².

The reflux condenser is manufactured taking into account the following parameters:

• pipe length;
• power;
• stock

Column manufacturing technology

First they make dimrot. They take 4 meters of copper, which they bend around and screw on with a dimrot. A lathe is used for this. The pipe can be wound by holding it in a vice. This process is simple. The tube fits in easily and the required number of turns is wound.

The distance between them is 1 mm, so the coils are moved apart a little. Total length - 28 cm, loop - 5–6 cm.

In order to assemble the column, you need to prepare the 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 tap;
• fittings for cooling supply;
• flux and solder;
• water supply system;
• pipes;
• needle valves - 2 pcs.;
• tee.

Column body

Columns are made from the following materials:

• copper;
• of stainless steel;
• glass

Basically, the installation body is made of stainless pipe. Equipment is assembled by welding or soldering. In some sources you can read that it is impossible to make RK from copper.

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

Nozzle

There is an industrial filler:

1. Spiral-prismatic nozzles:

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

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

• copper 50 x 10 - 620 rub.;
• stainless steel 50 x 10 - 290 rub.

The most affordable material is metal mesh for washing dishes.

Thermal insulation

Suitable thermal insulation material:

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

Rubber gaskets should not be used as they affect the quality of the alcohol.

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

Distillation column "Spirtmash"

How to make a rectification column?

A rectification column from fittings and a drawer 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 necessary, cut. The lower part is covered with a metal mesh. Sponges or springs are used as filler. Dishwashing nets (30–40 pieces) are cut into small pieces. The pipe is filled with the resulting fragments, covered with a mesh and secured with a washer.

Installed on the distillation cube and insulated. The upper part of the drawer is covered with a lid. A hole is made in the plug and a tube is installed there. At the bottom there is a hole for distillate. Below 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 is connected with a fitting to the cube pipe.

Example No. 2

A simple column can be made from the following materials:

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

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

Then the tubes for draining and supplying water are installed. There is also a tube through which cooled 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 No. 3

More complex installations are assembled. 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 20 mm through hole. The outlet diameter is 18 mm. The narrowest diameter of the steam extraction tube is 16 mm. The RK refrigerator is 38–40 cm.

Distillers create their own designs based on the Nixon system. The device of a moonshine still with a resonator contains:

1. Cube 70 l.
2. Heating element 2 kW and 1 kW.
3. Copper drawer.
4. Steamer.
5. Nixon's reflux system.
6. Dimrot (3 meters).

Example No. 4

DIY distillation column for producing 40 liters of alcohol. The reflux ratio is adjustable. The structure consists of the following parts:

1. Traffic jams.
2. Sealing nuts.
3. Tubes for thermometer.
4. Dephlegmator housings.
5. Discharge of warm water.
6. Supply of cold water to the reflux condenser.
7. Pipes.
8. Filler.
9. Dephlegmator.
10. Evaporation cube.
11. Safety valve.

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

Selection of finished equipment

Distillation column "Antonych 2.1" (2 inches) costs 15,856.14 rubles. The structure is assembled independently using a home distiller “Antonych 1.5-V”, purchasing an additional drawer. The distiller costs 9542.77 rubles.

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

When purchasing a distiller, pay attention to the size of the reflux condenser. It must cope with rectification. The Stillman-Cosmo distiller is equipment that produces pure alcohol. The set costs RUR 18,450. To obtain ethyl alcohol, an additional drawer is purchased.

The distillation column "Doctor Guber" is completely dismountable. 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 good quality moonshine. Preference depends on consumer convenience and price.

Hi all!

A couple of weeks ago I came across some very interesting equipment for moonshiners - mash column. It is also called a film column or a reinforced distiller. A distiller I know bought it and kindly offered to test this unit.

What is the result you ask? My colleague makes excellent 88-degree moonshine, and now I know what to answer to readers when they ask me “How to make strong moonshine.” Interested?

And so, in today’s article I will tell you what a mash column is, the principle of its operation and how to properly distill moonshine on it.

What is a mash (film) column

Now I will briefly tell you why a mash column is needed, and in the next chapter I will examine in more detail the principle of its operation.

So, a film column is equipment that allows you to produce very strong and pure moonshine. Up to 90 degrees! And at the same time, the equipment is quite simple in design and use, and its price is relatively low. It is installed directly on the distillation cube.

In appearance, the mash column resembles an ordinary one straight-through distiller. In fact, this is how it is, the only difference is that there is another refrigerator installed on the pipe rising from the cube. The so-called reflux condenser or partial condenser.

This is where the whole point lies. But more on that in the next chapter.

Operating principle of film column

To make it more clear, I drew a simple diagram of the work.

So, as I already said, the column is placed directly on the distillation cube. The heated vapors of moonshine from the cube enter a partial (in Russian - partial) condenser. There, part of the vapor condenses and settles on the walls of the cooler, and the other part goes further.

That's why the first cooler is called partial, because it does not condense all the steam.

The liquid that settles on the walls of the cooler is called phlegm. Hence another name for the partial cooler - reflux condenser.

As you remember, moonshine consists of various impurities, which are conventionally divided into three main groups - “heads”, “body” and “tails”. The heads evaporate at a lower temperature than the other groups. The body is higher than the heads, and the tails are the highest boiling fraction. We drink, as we know, only the body, and cut off everything else. This distillation is called fractional.

So, when cooling the moonshine vapors in a reflux condenser, we separate them and pass on the lower boiling components, while everything else condenses on the walls of the cooler and flows back into the still as a film.

Hence the second name of the column - film.

In this case, the alcohol-containing steam rising in the drawer of the partial condenser constantly interacts with the phlegm flowing towards it. A process of heat and mass transfer occurs - the steam snatches low-boiling components from the reflux and gives it high-boiling ones (fusel oils and water). Hence such crazy strengthening - up to 90 degrees of the final product!

By adjusting the water supply to the temperature in the dephlegmator, we can quite efficiently divide the moonshine into fractions and cut off its unnecessary parts. To begin with, we set the temperature so that only the “heads” pass into the second cooler, and return the alcohol and everything else to the cube. And then we raise the temperature and drive out the alcohol, leaving “tails” in the phlegm.

But in order to clearly cut off the heads and tails and get pure and strong moonshine with the column, you need to work correctly. Fortunately, this is quite easy to learn.

How to work on a mash column correctly

• First distillation.

Well, everything is simple here. Our column will only work as a distiller; a reflux condenser is not used. We supply water only to the second refrigerator and distill the mash into raw alcohol as quickly as possible. For those who don’t know why this is done, read the article double fractional distillation.

• Second distillation.

Goal selection

We begin to heat the cube. When the temperature in the cube approaches 75 degrees, we supply water to both coolers. Moreover, it is necessary to supply enough water to the reflux condenser so that the steam in it is completely condensed and does not enter the second cooler. Those. Nothing should flow into the receiving container.

This mode of work is called “self-employment.” It should last 25-30 minutes. During this time, the head fractions will concentrate in the tsarg.

Now, very carefully, we begin to reduce the water supply to the strengthening distiller until moonshine begins to drip from the second cooler at a rate of 2-3 drops per second. It is worth noting that the response time of the column to changes in water supply is quite long.

Therefore, it is necessary to pause between changes in the incoming parameters - slightly reduce the water and wait 30 seconds. Then look at the result and, if necessary, reduce it further. Or they added.

And so, at a speed of 2-3 drops per second, we select the heads. They are usually selected based on smell, but if your moonshine brewing experience does not yet allow you to do this, then use the standard proportion - 50 ml for every kilogram of sugar in the mash.

When we run out of heads, we change the container and begin selecting the body.

Body selection

Slowly reduce the water supply to the reflux condenser. The moonshine starts to come out faster. The less water you supply, the faster the process begins. But at the same time, the strength and purity of the distillate decreases.

Here, choose for yourself - either faster at the expense of the degree of purification and degree, or stronger and cleaner, but longer.

A compromise solution, in my opinion, is the speed at which the moonshine flows in a thin stream.

Now it’s time to pay attention to the thermometer installed above the film column. At this moment, a certain temperature should be recorded on it. I can’t say which one you will have, because... it depends on the strength of your raw alcohol poured into the device.

But here's what you need to remember. If you have chosen the correct selection mode, then the temperature should remain at this level. If it grows, even very slowly (by 1-1.5 degrees), but constantly, then we are supplying too much heat and the moonshine is of poor quality. Therefore, we either increase the water supply or reduce the heating.

Now that we have adjusted the column and a stream of strong moonshine flows from the second direct flow, and the temperature of the alcohol-containing steam leaving the column is constant (fluctuates between 0.1-0.2 degrees), we select the body.

But after some time, the temperature still begins to increase - all because there is less alcohol in the cube. Then it is necessary to slightly increase the amount of water supplied to the reflux condenser. The temperature will return to its previous value, but the amount of moonshine coming out will decrease.

In this mode we select the body down to the tails. Experienced moonshiners will be prompted by their own nose. For beginners, I recommend moving on to tailings selection when the temperature in the cube (in the cube, not above the column!) rises to 93ºC.

Tailings selection

If you are engaged in the selection of tailings, then simply turn off the water supply to the reflux condenser and squeeze out the residues as in normal distillation. Just in case, let me remind you that we collect the tails in a separate container.

Update: In February, I purchased my own film column HD/4-2500 PC produced by Samogon and Vodka. It has been slightly modified compared to the factory design - the reflux condenser has been insulated and needle valves have been installed to regulate the water supply.

General impression and conclusions

I liked working on the film column. And the resulting product was also to my taste.

Let me list the advantages that I noted

1. The heads come concentrated, with a pungent odor. The line where they end and the body begins is clearly noticeable. It's the same with tails. Therefore, you can clearly divide the moonshine into fractions and get a very high-quality product.
2. The strength of the distillate reaches 80-90%. Of course, you won’t get alcohol; this requires more serious equipment, but we didn’t set that goal either.
3. Fruit and berry mash do not lose their taste and aroma.
4. Sugar moonshine it turns out softer and more pleasant to the taste
5. Simplicity of design, relatively low price and ease of use.

In general, I drew conclusions for myself - for sugar moonshine, a mash column is required. And very desirable for fruit and berry production.

Such equipment allows us to produce a product of very high quality. Personally, I have already decided that I will order myself such a column. True, after the New Year holidays, when the family budget is restored.

Update: I finally bought the column in February. Her photo is in the previous section.

Bye everyone.

To calculate fractions, I use the work of more experienced colleagues and my own practical experience.

When selecting heads, I focus on the standard of 10% absolute alcohol. But previous experience in distilling specifically rice mash showed that after selecting 5% AC, SEM was produced without heads. I factored in another 2% for force majeure situations. Details by faction are in the table below.

Second (fractional) distillation

1. Acceleration of the column at maximum. I reduced the heating power after the temperature in the tank reached approximately 75-80 degrees.

​

2. At 75 degrees in the tank, turned on the cooling (water supply to the refrigerator)

3. By controlling the temperature in the refrigerator and observing the return of reflux to the column through the diopter, I set the supplied heating power (for me it is about 1/3 of the maximum power)

during “rectification”, it is advisable to keep the water temperature (at the outlet of the refrigerator) in the region of 35-45 degrees, since when the reflux is strongly cooled, part of the packing part is “lost” due to the fact that the cold reflux, until it is heated and enters heat and mass transfer, more than necessary rolls down the nozzle. In addition, the likelihood of liquid plugs (slugs) increases.

​

4. Let the column work for itself (for an hour)

​

5. Started the drop-by-drop selection of heads. The volume of goals turned out to be higher than expected. I selected until the smell of chemicals disappeared from the selection.

​

6. After selecting the heads, I increased the supplied power to approximately 50% of the maximum and selected the body until the bitterness characteristic of the tail fractions began to appear in Sam.

7. I didn’t take the tails.

​

Interim indicators and results are presented in the table below.

Although most often this question sounds like “how does a reinforcing film column work?”, I deliberately did not separate film (wheat) and packed (distillation) columns in the title. The fact is that from a fundamental point of view, the essence of their work is the same. Let's start by looking at the operation of a film column with steam extraction.

Let us take for consideration a section of the refluxing part of the column.

This shows the moment of operation of the column at the beginning of the process, when the full cooling flow is supplied to the reflux condenser, and the heating power supplied to the cube is completely utilized. The column, as they say, works for itself. This means that the temperature of the liquid in the cube has already reached the boiling point corresponding to the alcohol content, but nothing passes through for selection, since all the vapor is condensed by the reflux condenser and returned to the cube. For ease of understanding, we assume that the composition of the bottom liquid contains three fractions with boiling temperatures respectively t 1 , t 2, and t 3 Ascending. Accordingly, fraction 1 boils earlier than 2, and fraction 3 boils last.

The reflux condensed on the inner surface of the reflux condenser at a certain height (in the zone where the temperature of the steam is compared with the condensation temperature of a certain fraction) forms a film that evenly covers the surface of the pipe and flows down. Hot steam rises towards it in the center of the column, which interacts with the film, gradually heating it. There comes a moment when the film begins to evaporate and joins the steam moving upward. This is called re-evaporation. Due to the inertia of thermal processes and for a number of other reasons, re-evaporation has a certain range and occupies a certain space of the column surface. The illustration shows that fraction 1 evaporates in the range between t1 cond and t1 exp, occupying its part of the column surface. The same process occurs with fraction 2, and fraction 3 in this example is completely in the cube (it has the highest boiling and condensation temperature).

Having let the column work for itself, we begin to select the first faction.

To do this, we reduce the flow of water through the reflux condenser until the point t1 cond goes beyond the reflux condenser. Condensation of fraction 1 will now occur in the main refrigerator. We can start taking it away.

If the boiling points of the fractions were noticeably different, and there were only a few of them (as in our example - what could stop us from simulating such a situation, master), then selection would continue until fraction 1 was completely removed, after which it would stop completely. In this case, faction 2 would occupy a place in the column approximately similar to the place of faction 1 in the first picture, and faction 3 would move to the place of faction 2.

At this moment, we again reduce the cooling of the reflux condenser and begin to select fraction 2 until “complete victory”. And so on, with all the stops. You need to change the water flow through the reflux condenser carefully, not forgetting about the inertia of thermal processes, and very accurately (for this you need a thermometer after the reflux condenser and a needle tap for water).

This entire technological process illustrates the concept of “separation”. The more precise the adjustments, the larger the contact area between reflux and steam, the higher the separation capacity of the column. It is common to talk about “plates”. What it is? In industrial columns, the internal volume of the ascending part is filled with horizontal disks of complex shape with slots through which reflux flows. This design allows for a huge film surface area and good re-evaporation. The more of these disks, called “plates,” the higher the separation capacity of the column. In industrial columns, the number of “plates” starts from 100. For comparison, packed columns have one “conventional plate” for every 2-10 cm of the height of the packed part (depending on the diameter, height and used packing, the difference in the used packing determines how many you will receive conventional plates per meter of your column), and film plates per 20 cm of the reflux-forming part (again, it depends on the condition of the surface of the inner part of the column, the presence of a spiral in it, etc.). But this is ideal. Just do the math - in order to achieve the quality of separation of an industrial column, a packed column (working on traditional packings) would have to have a height of 2-10 m, which, of course, is unrealistic at home. However, industrial technology differs from “home” technology (selection, for example, can be done from any desired plate or from several at once, selecting different fractions) and industrialists do not put their full potential into action. In general, to obtain a high-quality (from the point of view of the distiller’s “internal” GOST standards) “alcohol distillate”, 15-20 “conventional plates” are quite enough. Well, a rectification of satisfactory quality can be obtained on 50 plates (for an SPN nozzle, this is approximately 1 meter of nozzle), which is quite achievable at home

We seem to have sorted out the division. What about strengthening? It's simple. The strength depends on the amount of water in the solution, and water is also one of the fractions. The better the factions are divided and selected, the greater the strength. Those. in principle, if all technological “wisdom” is observed, the product is stronger and cleaner at the same time. Although, under incorrect operating conditions, you can only take away water (I’m exaggerating, of course, but it’s possible). Then we will get a strong shmurdyak at the exit.

Many winemakers find it difficult to choose a device for themselves, because now production offers many of them. But all devices for producing alcohol are divided into two groups - distillers and rectification columns. Therefore, first of all, you need to decide on choosing from these options, and then take a closer look at a specific device according to the available funds. So, a distillation column or a moonshine still - which is better?

Characteristics of both devices

A distiller, or moonshine still, is used to obtain raw alcohol from mash by purifying it. The essence of his work is as follows:

• First you prepare the mash according to the recipe.
• When the mash is ready, it is sent to the distillation cube and heated to the boiling point of alcohol and above.
• As a result of heating, the mash evaporates and condenses in the cooler. After this, liquid begins to drip at the outlet.
• Depending on the temperature in the cube, the corresponding fractions will come out. First of all, volatile impurities are removed - acetone, methyl alcohol, aldehydes. This faction is called the head.
• After the heads come out, the body, or raw alcohol, comes out, a pure alcohol-containing product of 40–70%.
• The last to come out are the tails - an alcohol-containing mixture that contains a large amount of fusel oils.

Both heads and tails contain substances that are unsafe for the body, and the moonshiner’s job is to separate them. Therefore, the most professional moonshine stills are equipped with devices such as a reflux condenser, thermometer, alcohol meter, steamer and others. All of them help to more accurately control the process of obtaining a pure product. Most often, after the first distillation there is a second distillation. In some cases, it is not carried out, for example, if you want to get a product that is not too pure, but aromatic, when the mash is made from fruit.

Distillation column

In a moonshine still, such a thing as productivity is important, which depends not only on the rate of heating of the liquid, but also on the rate of its cooling, as well as additional devices for purifying the product.

The design of the moonshine still is quite simple. In the most primitive version, it is simply a container for heating and cooling steam. In addition, something like a moonshine still can be made at home without much expense. To obtain a more complex device that allows you to improve the characteristics of the drink, you need to work a little, but, as a rule, this is also quite possible.

Summarizing all this, it can be argued that the moonshine still has the following advantages:

• Simplicity of design. The principle of its operation will be clear to everyone; the device can be easily made at home at low cost.
• Low cost and hence availability.
• Ease of operation.
• A large number of drink recipes that can be found on the Internet.
• The reliability of the design, again due primarily to its simplicity.

To compare both methods of producing homemade alcohol, the main disadvantages of using a moonshine still should be highlighted:

• low productivity;
• inability to obtain a drink with a high alcohol content of more than 70%;
• low degree of purification compared to a distillation column;
• danger of work if basic rules are not followed.

What is a distillation column? Rectification is built on a slightly different principle. It is a heat exchange process in the column that helps separate the rectified product. That is, when heated in a column, all components of the original substance “line up” depending on their boiling point:

• ketones at 56 degrees;
• methyl alcohol at 65 degrees;
• ethyl alcohol with water at 78 degrees;
• fusel oils and the main part of water at 100 degrees.

The essence of the process lies in how exactly the liquid comes into contact with the gaseous phase. At the top of the column there is a dephlegmator, which ensures that the liquid phase is obtained from the gas, that is, condensation, and directs the condensate back down. When liquid and vapor meet, they interact and exchange fractions with different boiling points. You can clearly see the process of alcohol rectification using a device that has a glass column.

The column is a high capacity. This fact ensures an optimal temperature difference in its various parts. At the top the temperature is 78 degrees, so only ethyl alcohol reaches it. Heavier fractions, such as water and fusel oils, flow down because they have a much higher boiling point.

If you use such a device for distilling mash, the alcohol is much higher quality and pure than in moonshine, in fact, 100 degrees.

The industrially produced column for a moonshine still has a higher productivity, some of them produce more than 500 liters per hour.

The main advantages of rectification are that it allows you to obtain a higher quality product with a minimum amount of impurities, which are cut off during distillation and are called heads and tails. Therefore, a rectification column is ideal when you need to obtain a pure sugar product that contains the largest amount of extraneous odors and tastes. The disadvantage is low productivity, and, in addition, it is inconvenient to use for producing vodka from fruits, when smells and tastes need to be preserved.

Moonshine still or distillation column?

In order to know exactly what you will need, you need to weigh many different factors, one of the main ones being price. The cost of a moonshine still is several times lower, and its capabilities are sufficient for a large number of tasks. At the same time, it is worth clarifying that the distillation column itself does not produce a pure product from the mash, since raw alcohol must be poured into it. Raw alcohol is an alcohol solution, a product of the first distillation of mash. Thus, it is not self-sufficient; it is also necessary to buy the moonshine still itself, which complicates the task.

It is impossible to obtain alcohol of this quality and degree of purification using a moonshine still. But the distillation column can operate in the mode of a conventional moonshine still. It turns out that it is better, but at the same time the cost is different.

It is believed that the degree of purification of rectified alcohol is 60 times higher than that of moonshine. Even if it is used in distillation mode, the product still turns out cleaner. But the price is not always justified, because we are talking about homemade alcohol. Many skilled moonshiners test recipes, making fruit-based moonshine and more. A moonshine still is quite enough for them, as it will give a greater richness of flavors.

To ensure that the product is of high quality, other techniques are used, such as a steamer, a reflux condenser, re-distillation, filtration, and more.

As a rule, experienced moonshiners are quite familiar with all the capabilities of both devices and know exactly what they want. For beginners, it is sometimes difficult to understand the basic principles of distillation, especially when it comes to cutting off heads and tails. The fact is that with experience, people begin to do this simply by eye, but you need to come to this. And to do this correctly, you will need additional equipment. So the cost of a moonshine still for beginners will be quite high, and not all of them will be able to afford a distillation column.

Thus, having considered all the advantages and disadvantages of both devices, we can say that it is better to give preference to a distillation column if it is regularly used to produce alcohol from sugar-based mash. If you have a beautiful garden and like to pamper yourself with fruit-based vodka, then your choice should fall on a distiller, which will be more than enough for such a task. You can spend money and buy a device with a steam chamber.

It is also worth recalling that the purchase of both devices is completely legal for the production of homemade moonshine. But this only applies to its production not for the purpose of profit and, accordingly, sale.