Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

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RJP
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Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by RJP »

heat exchanger turned condensor
heat exchanger turned condensor
I'm new to this and am building a Bok with a 2" column. I'm interested in using the heat exchanger (pictured) as a condensor. It's solid copper, has a 1/2" copper tube core, 1 1/2" OD with fins spaced approximately 1/8" apart. I have about 18" of it. I figure I could try it and if it doesn't work well I can always replace it with something more traditional. Opinions?
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still_stirrin
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by still_stirrin »

Are thinking, “air cooled”?

Or, are you going to put a water jacket around the copper fins?

Huge difference.
Former idea.... :thumbdown:
Latter idea.... :thumbup:
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RJP
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by RJP »

still_stirrin wrote:Are thinking, “air cooled”?

Or, are you going to put a water jacket around the copper fins?

Huge difference.
Former idea.... :thumbdown:
Latter idea.... :thumbup:
ss
I'll run water through the core and install it in the top of the Bok still. The fins will get cold and vapor will condense on them, drip down and make magic happen (hopefully).
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nuntius01
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by nuntius01 »

should work. looks cool either way
I'm just the bank and the mule

post your still pics here
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=66917
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Twisted Brick
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by Twisted Brick »

You may need to put it in a 45* jacket like Manu's. Gravity would assist drainage of those narrow fin gaps and at 18" I'd guess the 1/2" core would work nicely.
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raketemensch
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by raketemensch »

I’d bet aiming a fan at it would work too. Pumps are for the unimaginative :)
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Kareltje
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by Kareltje »

Nice find!
It can be used 2 ways:
1) vapour inside, cooling outside or
2) cooling inside, vapour outside.
For cooling you can use water or air.

I don't know the math for this, but maybe you can try.

Could be a new type of condenser: RJP condenser. :D
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by RJP »

Twisted Brick wrote:You may need to put it in a 45* jacket like Manu's. Gravity would assist drainage of those narrow fin gaps and at 18" I'd guess the 1/2" core would work nicely.
Thanks, I'm concerned about draining the narrow fin gaps as well. I'll look into the Manu example. Maybe cutting each fin 4 times (90 degree increments) and giving the cut fin a little twist would help?
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by RJP »

Kareltje wrote:Nice find!
It can be used 2 ways:
1) vapour inside, cooling outside or
2) cooling inside, vapour outside.
For cooling you can use water or air.

I don't know the math for this, but maybe you can try.

Could be a new type of condenser: RJP condenser. :D
RJP condensor, I like that!
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by RJP »

nuntius01 wrote:should work. looks cool either way
Thanks!
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by RJP »

The Manu design suggestion is a really good one, I think this condensor will work really good in that application. Thanks everyone, joining this group is already helping me!
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Twisted Brick
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by Twisted Brick »

RJP wrote: Thanks, I'm concerned about draining the narrow fin gaps as well. I'll look into the Manu example. Maybe cutting each fin 4 times (90 degree increments) and giving the cut fin a little twist would help?
I think that's a great idea. Getting the fins even a little closer to vertical while the tube is at a 45* angle would help with returning reflux. But manually tweaking all those fins uniformly would have me pulling my hair out.
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Kareltje
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by Kareltje »

Twisted Brick wrote:
RJP wrote: Thanks, I'm concerned about draining the narrow fin gaps as well. I'll look into the Manu example. Maybe cutting each fin 4 times (90 degree increments) and giving the cut fin a little twist would help?
I think that's a great idea. Getting the fins even a little closer to vertical while the tube is at a 45* angle would help with returning reflux. But manually tweaking all those fins uniformly would have me pulling my hair out.
I am not sure what you mean, but he could make a tool to do it uniformly. Maybe of wood: softer than copper.
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by just sayin »

A cutoff wheel in an angle grinder should make cutting slots in the fins relatively easy. That style fintube usually has fairly stout fins. With slots, a fintube cold finger could make a slick condenser for the Dad300 condenser controlled still. Very interesting material. I am interested in how it works for you.
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Twisted Brick
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Re: Thoughts on using this as a condensor?

Post by Twisted Brick »

Kareltje wrote:[
I am not sure what you mean, but he could make a tool to do it uniformly. Maybe of wood: softer than copper.
Something like this:

The tool twists each fin into a trapezoidal cross-section and the heat flux distribution formed creates greatly improved thermal efficiency. :esurprised:

Crazy, huh?
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