Continuous Distillation Columns

Innovative Distillation Systems for Craft Spirits

While traditional pot stills are synonymous with high-quality spirits, modern distilleries are embracing new technology. Our distillation systems offer efficient and versatile solutions for craft spirit production.

Designed to maximise output without compromising quality, these systems are perfect for distilleries with limited space. Our semi continuous model  blends traditional and modern methods, allowing for both batch and continuous processes, while the fully automated system capable of producing high-purity spirits at impressive rates. Both models significantly outperform traditional pot stills in terms of efficiency and energy consumption, setting a new benchmark for the industry.

Technical Description:

A continuous distillation column is a vertical apparatus used in the purification of liquid mixtures through the process of vaporisation and condensation. In the context of a craft distillery, it’s employed to separate ethanol from water and other impurities in the fermented wash to produce a higher-purity spirit.

A continuous distillation column typically consists of:

• Feed Section: The point where the fermented wash enters the column.
• pre heating heat exchangers: these heat exchangers use the outlets of the process to preheat the wash being fed into the column.
• Rectification Section: The upper part of the column where vapour rises and is enriched in the more volatile component (ethanol).
• Stripping Section: The lower part of the column where liquid descends and is depleted of the more volatile component.
• Reboiler: A heat source at the bottom of the column that vaporises the liquid.
• Condenser: A heat exchanger at the top of the column that condenses the vapour into liquid.
• Reflux: A portion of the condensed liquid returned to the top of the column to increase the efficiency of separation.

The column can be filled with packing material to increase the surface area for vapour-liquid contact. As the heated wash enters the column, it vaporises and rises through the packing. The ascending vapours encounter descending liquid (reflux), creating a counter-current flow. This constant exchange promotes the transfer of ethanol from the liquid to the vapor phase, resulting in a progressively higher ethanol concentration in the vapor as it moves up the column.

Several parameters influence the performance of a continuous distillation column:

• Column Pressure: Affects the boiling points of the components and thus the separation efficiency.
• Reflux Ratio: The ratio of condensed liquid returned to the column to the product withdrawn. A higher reflux ratio improves separation but reduces product yield.
• Vapor Velocity: Determines the contact efficiency between vapor and liquid.
• Column Height and Diameter: Influence the column's capacity and separation efficiency.

To achieve optimal performance and product quality, distillation columns often incorporate automated control systems to regulate parameters like temperature, pressure, reflux ratio, and feed rate.

• Continuous operation: Ensures a steady product output.
• Higher purity: Can produce spirits with higher alcohol content compared to batch distillation.
• Efficiency: Often more energy efficient than batch distillation.
• Automation: Allows for precise control and consistent product quality.

While batch distillation is still popular in many craft distilleries, continuous distillation offers advantages for larger production volumes and consistent product quality. However, the initial investment in a continuous distillation column is typically higher than for a batch still.