The production of alcoholic beverages at home is a very popular activity for many people. However, distillation requires not only special knowledge, but also equipment. Practically everyone involved in this business knows that there are harmful impurities in the composition of the mash used for distillation. You need to get rid of them, otherwise drinking a drink with these impurities can harm your he alth. Their removal is carried out using a simple device placed in a moonshine still. In this case, we are talking about the Panchenkov nozzle, which is just one of the varieties of such devices. What is it and how does it work?
Description of the Panchenkov nozzle
In order to understand the principle of operation of this nozzle, it is necessary to first describe the purification procedure itself - rectification. This procedure is necessary, as it allows you to remove unnecessary impurities from raw alcohol (wood alcohol) intoduring distillation. They are detrimental to humans, so taking them inside the body is unacceptable.
To purify raw alcohol, it is first poured into the cavity of the distillation cube, then the container is put on fire (on any heat source) and brought to a certain temperature. When the desired temperature is reached, the liquid will turn into steam, it will begin to circulate through a special distillation column, after which it will enter the reflux condenser cavity. Then the condensate will flow down the walls of the column and dephlegmator. It is the distillation column that is equipped with a Panchenkov packing. In distillation equipment, it is used in conjunction with stainless steel shavings. This element of the moonshine still cleans the final product without compromising the strength.
The Panchenkov nozzle device was invented at Tupolev OJSC, it is officially patented. This wire mesh was originally intended for the purification of crude oil, which was required for its further use as fuel for aircraft. The mesh nozzle itself is made of copper, since it is this metal that absorbs well the sulfur contained in the oil, which does not return to the purified product and remains on the nozzle. Copper is also a good conductor of heat, so it heats up and cools down quickly.
However, today the Panchenkov nozzle is actively used in light industry. Most premium moonshine stills are initially equipped with this grid. She looks like she is twisteda roll of copper wire. It differs from the usual mesh in a special weave, thanks to which it is conveniently located inside the device. Nozzle parameters can be adjusted independently. And since it is easily removed from the column, it can be removed and cleaned if necessary.
Disadvantages of using
Many distillers don't want to use this extra filter. And although the principle of operation of the Panchenkov nozzle allows you to remove harmful impurities from the drink, because of it, the flow rate in the moonshine is noticeably reduced. However, most use it, as they are ready to sacrifice distillation time, ultimately obtaining a higher quality and purified alcohol.
Actually, the increase in distillation time is the only disadvantage that can hardly be called serious.
How does it work?
It is believed that Panchenkov's regular wire nozzle is justified for small moonshine stills. When it is applied, the principle of operation of the apparatus does not change, but the passage of steam in the cavity is lengthened. Vapors of alcohol when passing through this nozzle necessarily come into contact with the metal. At the same time, they give off their heat in the form of fusel oils, cool down, condense on the walls and then return back to the mash. At the same time, alcohol continues to move towards the nozzle.
In this case, the phlegm moves to the upper layers of the container, where it again passes through this grid and returns back. This prevents impurities from getting back into the moonshine.
Here is such a simplethe principle of operation of the Panchenkov nozzle.
Benefits
The use of this grid allows you to expand the functionality of the moonshine still. It has certain advantages:
- It can be removed and installed in any other (even the simplest) moonshine still.
- The use of this nozzle makes it possible to combine two processes at once - distillation and purification of moonshine.
- The nozzle is easy to clean, and if necessary, you can simply replace it with a new one.
Varieties
There are various "household" inventions that people use for lack of the Panchenkov nozzle itself. The most popular of them is the usual metal washcloth, which is sold in almost any household store and costs a penny. True, before use, it must be tested for resistance to corrosion. This can be done as follows: first you need to cut it into fragments, wrap them in a damp cloth and sprinkle with s alt. If within two or three days the washcloth is not covered with rust, then you can safely replace the Panchenkov mesh with it.
The second "analogue" is Raschig's ceramic rings. It is recommended to use rough rings. Also, the mesh can be replaced by spiral-prismatic nozzles, which are no worse than Panchenkov meshes in terms of efficiency.
Prices
These nets are sold in many stores in this direction, they are not expensive, so the purchase will not hit the distiller's pocket. One such grid isan average of 500-700 rubles. However, the price depends on the parameters. In expensive moonshine stills, they come by default, which once again confirms the need for their use.
However, if there are problems with finding this mesh or buying it, then you can use an ordinary household steel sponge. Its efficiency is not lower, and it filters fusel oils just as well.
Conclusion
Now you know what the Panchenkov nozzle is, the benefits of using it, and the cost. If you are already distilling moonshine at home, then be sure to use this grid. This simple and primitive device really helps to clean moonshine from harmful fusel oils, the ingestion of which is sure to harm he alth.
