What is a dephlegmator? This is a steamer, bubbler, tsarga or distillation column, that is, a device included in the assembly scheme of the moonshine still. It is mainly used by specialists in the handicraft production of a strong drink. Well, or production that adheres to the traditional school of moonshine brewing. In general, there is nothing criminal in this occupation, unless, of course, there is a permit issued by the authorities for it. So, when assembling a dephlegmator for a moonshine with your own hands or buying a ready-made device, you must first of all take care of the legalization of your occupation.
Why do we need a dephlegmator
A dephlegmator for a moonshine is necessary in order to return part of the alcohol vapor to an additional round of distillation, that is, one more cleaning. In other words, this device allows you to exclude fusel oils from moonshine almost completely. But everyone remembers that it is they that cause the strongest poisoning of the body after drinking low-quality alcohol.
Moreover, distillation with a reflux condenser significantly increases the degree of the drink. If without it the product is obtained with a strength of up to 40 degrees, then with this device, the strength of moonshine reaches 70-75 degrees. Thus, the reflux column is the choice of professional winemakers who are not alien to their own he alth and the well-being of their customers.
Do-it-yourself dephlegmator
Shell-and-tube dephlegmator can be bought at a specialized store, ordered at the factory or made by hand. Of course, a homemade product will differ from a beautiful device made of copper and stainless steel, but it will still fulfill its function.
To make a simple steamer, you will need a can, a tin lid for it, a pair of fittings and silicone tubes. Bank should not exceed 0.75 liters. Both fittings cut into the cover, and two tubes are attached to them from below. To prevent air from passing through the joints and fittings, they must be filled with sealant or silicone. The tube entering the jar from the distillation apparatus is 2-2.5 cm longer than the outlet. Copper tubes are installed in the upper part of the fittings for subsequent attachment of a flexible hose to them.
Complex dephlegmator
An inexperienced distiller can be satisfied with a homemade reflux condenser with one inlet and one outlet tube. But what is a dephlegmator? This is a device that cleans moonshine from harmful impurities, and in order to increase the efficiency of this element, it must beharder.
That's why professional distillers make a dephlegmator with five inlet and five outlet tubes. There are also 5 coils in this case.
Making such a device is also quite simple. The tubes can be taken from an old refrigerator, just remember to rinse them from the refrigerant. Then they are cut into equal lengths, inserted into a plastic pipe and fixed in it with epoxy glue. The resulting pipe is inserted into the fitting and the device is included in the scheme of the moonshine.
It is clear that a half-liter jar is indispensable in this case. The capacity for the reflux condenser should be a little more: 2-4 liters. All joints and transitions of tubes to coils and the moonshine itself must be carefully sealed with sealant, silicone or epoxy glue.
Double-walled dephlegmator
Types of dephlegmators are different, one of them is double-walled. Doing this with your own hands is possible only if you have the necessary skills in working with metals and welding. The working flask is made from a piece of zinc pipe or welded from galvanized iron. As a result, it should resemble a weighty glass. Two fittings with plastic tubes in them, equipped with 5 copper tubes of the same length, cut into the lid of the flask.
The second stage involves the manufacture of the inner flask. It is a stainless steel glass of larger diameter and length than the previous one. On the neck of a large glass, a mount is made for the inner flask and two fittings for water. Through onecold water will fall between the walls of the flask, and already heated water will be discharged from the second. The flow of water must be continuous so that it remains cold inside the flask, in the interstitial space. The fittings of the inner flask are included in the scheme of the moonshine.
Working principle
The principle of operation of the dephlegmator is based on the properties of alcohol and other substances that make up the mash. It is known that the evaporation temperature of alcohol is 75 degrees, that is, at this level of heating, it turns into steam. For water, this temperature is known to be 100 degrees. For various fusel oils and heavy fractions, the evaporation rate varies from 80 degrees to 100.
In the moonshine still, the vapor reaches a temperature of almost 100 degrees, naturally alcohol and various impurities go through the tubes into the coil together and condense in it, turning into a drink. Not very high quality and strong.
But when a dephlegmator is included in the moonshine still, the steam, passing through it, cools down to 75 degrees, fusel oil condensate settles on the walls, and alcohol continues to move through the tubes into the coil in the form of steam. There it cools to a state of condensate, and the distiller receives a pure product.
The problem of building a moonshine still is to control the temperature in all areas through which steam passes: from the starter tank to the final coil.
Conditions for obtaining high-quality moonshine
Knowing what a dephlegmator is, how it works and inthan its value, you can significantly improve the quality of moonshine. However, not only the correct apparatus and the presence of additional cleaning devices affect the performance of the final product.
We must not forget about the need to select high-quality raw materials, follow the recipe, maintain the prescribed boiling points during the operation of the moonshine still. All this ultimately affects the purity and strength of moonshine.
It should be clarified that home brewing is very different from rectification. In the first case, alcohol is obtained by distillation, and in the second - as a result of the separation of the vapor fraction.
That's why moonshine and vodka differ so much in taste and effects on the body.
Moonshine in industry
Moonshine is brewed not only by lovers of this drink in garages and backyards. This drink is very popular among ordinary people and is produced on an industrial scale. After all, well-known whiskey is ordinary moonshine, but only aged in oak barrels. But, in fact, the process of obtaining it differs little from the usual Russian person. It just didn't occur to the Russians to store moonshine in barrels.
In the industry, a dephlegmator is called a drawer. It increases the reflux ratio, and not just cleans the vapor of impurities. This device has a number of tubes that return part of the steam to the distillation cube, as well as the settled liquid. Moonshine from an industrial apparatus is much better. But to make such a device with your own hands will no longer work. It is equipped with pressure gauges, temperature sensors, timers andintelligent control processor.
Moonshine as a business
Understanding the device of the moonshine still and knowing the chemical and physical processes of its production, you can assemble it with your own hands and start producing moonshine for sale. But we must not forget that this activity must be legalized by the state tax authority. In addition, to create, albeit small, but a moonshine production enterprise, permission from other government services will be required. And, for example, the fire department or SES will not allow the use of uncertified, home-made equipment.
Therefore, when starting the industrial production of moonshine, you will need to purchase a moonshine made according to all the rules in the factory and having a quality certificate. But knowledge of the device device will still be needed to purchase the desired device, and for its further operation, and, if necessary, for its repair.
They are sold by the manufacturers themselves through online platforms or in specialized stores. You can buy a moonshine still without prior permission. They are issued after purchase and installation. A dephlegmator may be included in the equipment, or it can be purchased separately.
Conclusion
What is a reflux condenser, it became clear, but it is important in the composition of the moonshine still. There is no need to be afraid of difficulties, but boldly take on the implementation of the project, because alcohol is the product that is not stored in warehouses for a long time.delayed. The main thing is to do everything in accordance with the established legislation, so that there are no problems in the future.
