170 000 BTU CSST condenser

[still5000]

Hello everyone

I was planning to use a 15" long (Height of wrapped coil) 1/2" corrugated stainless steel tubing for a 4" boka column (1500mm packed) with a 50 000W (170 000 btu/hr) propane burner.
Now, i suspect this is not enough to knock down the vapor.

Dad300 said in another thread that both 5/8" x 36" CSST reflux coil, and 1/2" x 60" can handle 5000 watts at 1L of water flow per minute.

I could make it about 23" - 24" (Height of wrapped coil) before height becomes unpractical.
Although i've seen one member make a 3 foot long csst coil.

So i have 3 questions.

1. Does anyone have experience with CSST condenser with this kind of size and / or heat?
2. Based on dad300's findings, i suspect that a 3/4" CSST coil will work more effectively than 1/2" and cut down on total height of coil needed?
3. Will 3/4" CSST even fit in a 4" column?

[DAD300]

Yes, I have run a 4" over a 220,000 btu banjo, a 3/4" dia CSST wound coil will fit in a 3" or 4" column.

The 3/4" CSST will make a better coil for a larger column as it will be more evenly spaced and less/better spaced voids while allowing a greater water flow if necessary.

170,000btu burner is not going to translate to 50,000watts. I backward engineer, my 220,000btu is more like 8,000watts max.

[still_stirrin]

170,000 BTU/hr = 49.82 kW.

From here: http://www.rapidtables.com/convert/powe ... o_Watt.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
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[DAD300]

While I see the calculation...there must be some gross inefficiencies involved compared to direct electrodes in the wash.

The heat-up time for a keg made mine out to be about 8,000watts.

[still5000]

Yes, I have run a 4" over a 220,000 btu banjo, a 3/4" dia CSST wound coil will fit in a 3" or 4" column.

The 3/4" CSST will make a better coil for a larger column as it will be more evenly spaced and less/better spaced voids while allowing a greater water flow if necessary.

170,000btu burner is not going to translate to 50,000watts. I backward engineer, my 220,000btu is more like 8,000watts max.

Great answer. Do you know how long your coil was for the 220,000 btu burner?

I wonder if i can also use the CSST coil for hard stripping runs in the bok if i make it long enough. What kind of condenser length do you think we're looking at?

[still_stirrin]

While I see the calculation...there must be some gross inefficiencies involved compared to direct electrodes in the wash.

The heat-up time for a keg made mine out to be about 8,000watts.

Dad, you're not alluding that burner salesmen may be "stretching the truth" are you? Surely, because the burner says 170,000 BTU/hr that it can actually transfer that heat to your boil pot. The lack of performance MUST be the user's fault!
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[DAD300]

Of course it's your fault. Putting a round bottom steel pot in the way!

I think salesman calculate the power of their burners based on gas used and not efficiency. Then we have the distance from flame to pot, steel of the keg or pot, shape of the pot, ambient temp....

5/8" x 54" and had six inch tails, only 5 coils with a SS Scrubbie at the top.

Well, you're limiting your production pretty hard using a Boka for stripping. Stripping is balls to the walls and more dependent on the Product condenser than the power source.

[Hound Dog]

I did the 3 foot coil of 3/8" CSST in a 2" tube and it takes out both my elements at full blast (even with straight water). Actual wattage is probably 10,200. A coil of 1/2" CSST in my 3" boka about 12" tall will knock down around 7k before vapor starts slipping by. I don't have a clue how to figure actual heat transfer from propane.

[still_stirrin]

....I think salesman calculate the power of their burners based on gas used....

By golly, I think you've nailed it!

Its a 170,000 BTU/hr "consumer"....not "producer". Huge difference, as you said...all that kettle/boiler stuff in the way. Much, much wasted energy.

Time to switch to electricity where the energy consumed is much closer to the energy liberated. The resistive element is actually immersed in your fluid where the energy is needed. Add a little thermal insulation on the boiler and you lose but a little of the energy to entropy. Makes perfect sense.
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[still5000]

Of course it's your fault. Putting a round bottom steel pot in the way!

I think salesman calculate the power of their burners based on gas used and not efficiency. Then we have the distance from flame to pot, steel of the keg or pot, shape of the pot, ambient temp....

5/8" x 54" and had six inch tails, only 5 coils with a SS Scrubbie at the top.

4-8105DB61-95231-800.jpg

Well, you're limiting your production pretty hard using a Boka for stripping. Stripping is balls to the walls and more dependent on the Product condenser than the power source.

Thanks for the answer.

I did the 3 foot coil of 3/8" CSST in a 2" tube and it takes out both my elements at full blast (even with straight water). Actual wattage is probably 10,200. A coil of 1/2" CSST in my 3" boka about 12" tall will knock down around 7k before vapor starts slipping by. I don't have a clue how to figure actual heat transfer from propane.

Great stuff. Have you tried that 3 footer as a pot still condenser for stripping runs?

[Hound Dog]

I did the 3 foot coil of 3/8" CSST in a 2" tube and it takes out both my elements at full blast (even with straight water). Actual wattage is probably 10,200. A coil of 1/2" CSST in my 3" boka about 12" tall will knock down around 7k before vapor starts slipping by. I don't have a clue how to figure actual heat transfer from propane.

Great stuff. Have you tried that 3 footer as a pot still condenser for stripping runs?

A stripper is what it was built for. I have yet to slow it down and use it as a normal pot. Working on a few batches for that now. http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 50&t=55975

[still5000]

I did the 3 foot coil of 3/8" CSST in a 2" tube and it takes out both my elements at full blast (even with straight water). Actual wattage is probably 10,200. A coil of 1/2" CSST in my 3" boka about 12" tall will knock down around 7k before vapor starts slipping by. I don't have a clue how to figure actual heat transfer from propane.

Great stuff. Have you tried that 3 footer as a pot still condenser for stripping runs?

A stripper is what it was built for. I have yet to slow it down and use it as a normal pot. Working on a few batches for that now. http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 50&t=55975

That's beautiful man.

Did you reduce the pipe at the end or is it totally open?

Seeing that the pipe is at a 45 degree angle i wonder how you centered the condenser inside the pipe? (maybe it's not needed)

[Hound Dog]

Don't need to center it as it just barely fits. Added some stainless scrubbie around it and crammed it up in there. There is just a 2" to 1" reducer piece on the end. Not really necessary but it looks better.

[fqu8847]

I have a 3/8" x 72" csst condenser. Overall length is close to 14" when coiled I believe... anyway I have it in a 1.5" column now. (2" build on the way) while it touches the sides of the nixon-stone head, it has also handled (while at full boil) w everything my 75k but burner can throw at it. Just a little information...

[rad14701]

fqu8847, there is no problem having the reflux condenser coils touching the chamber walls... It'll work fine just as long as there isn't a huge gaping hole straight up the middle for vapor to escape through... But even if it does you can just pop a scrubber in the top portion of the condenser...