How Long For This Heat Exchanger ?

[olecajun]

Okkkkkkk. Just playing with some ideas. a 3/4" copper tube mashed flat (except for ends) to leave a 5/16 throat leaves this tube about 1 1/4" wide. If it is running thru a stainless 2 1/2" pipe as the cooling jacket, how much length do you think for say a 20 gal. pot ? Would the width of the 1 1/4" x 5/16" give close to the surface area of 3 side by side 3/8" tubing ? I am not the sharpest so just guessing at the calculation. I have already cut it but wanted opinion. I have 50" inside the jacket when I put it together. Thanks

[still_stirrin]

Okkkkkkk. Just playing with some ideas. a 3/4" copper tube mashed flat (except for ends) to leave a 5/16 throat leaves this tube about 1 1/4" wide. If it is running thru a stainless 2 1/2" pipe as the cooling jacket, how much length do you think for say a 20 gal. pot ?

This design will give you a lot of water weight in the condenser when full. And it doesn't give you a very good surface area in contact with the vapor. Plus, it would restrict the vapor flow because of the narrow dimension of the smashed tube. Poor design.

...Would the width of the 1 1/4" x 5/16" give close to the surface area of 3 side by side 3/8" tubing ? I am not the sharpest so just guessing at the calculation. I have already cut it but wanted opinion. I have 50" inside the jacket when I put it together...

Well, my shotgun condenser has SEVEN (7) 3/8" OD tubes in it. It gives almost the same flow area as the 1" ID vapor inlet, so the flow will not be restricted when entering the product condenser. But, the 7 vapor tubes in the shotgun give me more surface in contact with the vapor and water than a 1" ID pipe.

I strongly suggest that you review other Liebig and shotgun condenser designs and builds to better assess what makes a good design. I think your's is not a good design...even if you've already cut up your copper pieces.
ss

[still_stirrin]

Okkkkkkk....how much length do you think for say a 20 gal. pot ?

To properly size a product condenser, you must know the heat input...and somewhat, the temperature of the water you're using to cool it. And of course, the ID of the tube that is inside the liquid jacket...and "smashing it" doesn't help the calculator at all.

This is the parent site calculator: http://homedistiller.org/calcs/cond_calc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
ss

p.s. - a "ruff" calculation using 2kW heat input (very low for a propane burner, if that's what you're using), and the 3/4" vapor tube requires approximately a 35" long jacketed section. Ballpark??? you have the "unknowns" in this equation...not me.

[olecajun]

Ok. Its been a while since reading up on all this and making my one and only build about 4 years ago.I am gonna go read some. That is why ya'll are asked, keep folks straight and safe. I appreciate the input. That just goes to show, I thought it would be sufficient , but thats what happens when you just jump and build without refreshing or reading for the first time. It won't get wasted, it will be used somewhere .Hell this is part of the fun. Thanks again for the input.