Find HS Code and trade information for copper column single head

Copper Column Still

A copper column still is a type of distillation apparatus used to separate components of a liquid mixture based on their boiling points. It is a key piece of equipment in the production of high-proof spirits, particularly those requiring a purer, more refined flavor profile.

Material:

The defining characteristic is its construction, primarily from copper. Copper plays a crucial role in the distillation process due to its excellent thermal conductivity, allowing for efficient heat transfer. More importantly, copper reacts with sulfur-containing compounds present in the wash or mash, removing them as copper sulfides. This process effectively cleanses the distillate, contributing to a smoother final product. Stainless steel is sometimes used for certain components, particularly the boiler and cooling jacket, but the column itself is generally copper.

Purpose:

The primary purpose is fractional distillation, which aims to separate alcohol (ethanol) from water and other congeners (flavor compounds) present in a fermented wash (for whiskey, rum, etc.) or mash (for vodka, neutral spirits). It achieves a higher degree of separation than a simple pot still, resulting in a spirit with a higher alcohol content and a cleaner taste.

Function:

The still operates based on the principle of differing boiling points. The wash/mash is heated in a boiler. The resulting vapors rise through the column, which contains a series of plates or packing material. These plates create a temperature gradient, with the hottest vapors rising highest and the coolest condensing lower down.

• Vaporization: Alcohol, with its lower boiling point (78.37 °C / 173.07 °F), vaporizes more readily than water.
• Condensation & Reflux: As the vapors rise, they cool and condense on the plates. This condensed liquid, rich in alcohol, flows back down the column – a process called reflux.
• Fractionation: The refluxing liquid interacts with the rising vapors, enriching the vapors with alcohol and sending heavier congeners back down the column. This repeated process of vaporization and condensation leads to a separation of components.
• Collection: The highest-proof alcohol vapors reach the top of the column, where they are condensed and collected as distillate.

Usage Scenarios:

• Whiskey Production: Used extensively for producing various types of whiskey (Scotch, Bourbon, Rye, etc.). The column design influences the final flavor profile.
• Rum Production: Commonly used for producing both light and heavy rums.
• Vodka & Neutral Spirits: Used to create highly rectified spirits with minimal flavor.
• Gin Production: Used as the base for redistillation with botanicals.
• Brandy Production: Less common than pot stills, but can be used for certain styles.

Common Types:

• Continuous Column Still (Coffey Still/Patent Still): Operates continuously, with wash constantly being fed into the column and distillate continuously being removed. Produces a very high-proof spirit with a lighter flavor.
• Batch Column Still: Operates in batches, with a finite amount of wash loaded into the boiler. Offers more control over the distillation process and can produce a wider range of flavors.
• Packed Column Still: Uses packing material (e.g., copper rings, Raschig rings) within the column to increase surface area and improve separation efficiency.
• Plate Column Still: Features a series of horizontal plates within the column to facilitate condensation and reflux.
• Hybrid Column Still: Combines elements of both packed and plate columns for optimized performance.

The "single head" designation refers to the configuration of the condenser and spirit receiver. It implies a simpler design compared to multi-column stills which can have multiple take-off points for different fractions of the distillate (heads, hearts, tails).

Based on the provided information, a “copper column single head” can be interpreted as a component used in processes involving materials treatment through temperature change, potentially for distillation or rectification. Here are the relevant HS codes and explanations:

• 7419.80.09.00: This HS code covers “Other articles of copper: Other: Cloth (including endless bands), grill and netting, of copper wire; expanded metal of copper: Other”. While broad, a copper column could fall under “Other” if it doesn’t fit more specific classifications within this heading. The applicable tax rate is a base tariff of 3.0%, an additional tariff of 25.0%, and a tariff of 30.0% after April 2, 2025, resulting in a total tariff of 58.0%.

• 8419.40.00.40: This HS code covers “Machinery, plant or laboratory equipment, whether or not electrically heated (excluding furnaces, ovens and other equipment of heading 8514), for the treatment of materials by a process involving a change of temperature such as heating, cooking, roasting, distilling, rectifying, sterilizing, pasteurizing, steaming, drying, evaporating, vaporizing, condensing or cooling, other than machinery or plant of a kind used for domestic purposes; instantaneous or storage water heaters, nonelectric; parts thereof: Distilling or rectifying plant For food and beverages”. If the copper column is part of a larger distilling or rectifying plant used for food or beverage production, this HS code is applicable. The applicable tax rate is a base tariff of 0.0%, an additional tariff of 25.0%, and a tariff of 30.0% after April 2, 2025, resulting in a total tariff of 55.0%.

• 8419.89.60.00: This HS code covers “Machinery, plant or laboratory equipment, whether or not electrically heated (excluding furnaces, ovens and other equipment of heading 8514), for the treatment of materials by a process involving a change of temperature such as heating, cooking, roasting, distilling, rectifying, sterilizing, pasteurizing, steaming, drying, evaporating, vaporizing, condensing or cooling, other than machinery or plant of a kind used for domestic purposes; instantaneous or storage water heaters, nonelectric; parts thereof: Other machinery, plant or equipment: Other: Other: Molten-salt-cooled acrylic acid reactors”. If the copper column is a specialized component within a larger piece of equipment, this HS code might be relevant. The applicable tax rate is a base tariff of 0.0%, an additional tariff of 25.0%, and a tariff of 30.0% after April 2, 2025, resulting in a total tariff of 55.0%.

It is important to determine the specific function and application of the copper column to select the most accurate HS code. If the column is a component of a larger machine, the HS code for the complete machine may be more appropriate.