Is it OK to reflux in a coil condenser?

Ephoton · Thu Jul 07, 2005 5:24 pm

having a bit of thought on this subject I think the pressure inside the coils (water volume) could make a large difference.
as for using one for high temp distillations maby steam running through the coils
would do the trick.

loki · guinea pig

generally speaking at temperatures over 150 inert atmosphere must be used because of oxidation of the vapours occurs at these temperatures. high temperature reactions frequently are oxidations anyway, except for high temperature high pressure hydrogenations (which aren't done in glass anyway)

ApprenticeCook · DILLIGAF

ok how about we make sure were all on the same page here... i think i see what the confusion is..

There are TWO types of coil condensers, the first (and the one i was talking about) has the coolant flowing through the coil and the free space is where the distillate flows, the second is the opposite, coolant flows in the free space and the distillate flows through the coil.

I dislike the second version as this leeds to the choking The Dude was talking about under heavy reflux or large volume distillations, they are also prone to blockage and witholding distillate in the lower portions of the coils, this may cause pollution of distillate fractions if not accounted for.

The first version to which i have been refering to all along is the most superior as i see it as the coolant which flows through the coil provides a large surface area for the vapours to condense, these however in my opinion only work well in their verticle orientation (reflux) and still the best condenser for sloping distillation is a leibig or west condenser (west condensers have a smaller inner tube than leibig's and more efficiently cool the distillate however the risk of choking is more evident due to this smaller diameter).

-AC

loki · guinea pig

i believe the vapour running outside the coil type is called a coil condenser or reflux condenser and it is in fact the recommended reflux condenser due to its huge surface. a jacketed coil is even better, with a cooling surface all around the sides as well, and i have seen double jacketed coil condensers which are even fancier with the outer jacket, and a second tube/jacket thing around the coil in the middle of the two jackets. and there is double and triple coil ones which have more coils.

the ones with the coil having the connection to the inside from the joints is called a graham condenser. graham condensers can only be used in a vertical position or they choke, and i think they are commonly used for water distillation rigs.

coil condensers are the very best possible thing to use for reflux, especially jacketed.

Ephoton · Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:18 pm

yummy im up for some new glass soon Smile

I think i might just be getting my self one
of thouse jacketed coil jobs

yep shit sticks to the coils thats for sure.
try and get amalgum out of them thats heaps of fun not.
always end up with a few beads of liquid sticking to the coils when the condensor
is sloped and the liquid thick. oh well a few mills in a decent distillation is nothing
just make sure you use the right solvent to clean it with before using it for a different substance.

Ive still had amalgums hit the roof under a coil.
always take it real easy with new distillations and reactions unless your very experianced. Then build up the speed dont just go at it like a bull at a gate.
ive even used one as a fractionating collumn with a great deal of success probably
over kill though.

just got a nice new oil vacuum so ill try out the poping condensor trick later.
I cant wait on goes vac and pop hehe might have to put somthing in the coils that
will react with the vapour inside the condensor any ideas guys (preferably none explosive maby a colour change)