Indirect Electric Log
Posted: Tue May 23, 2017 5:53 pm
Hey guys,
I'm working on a small electric (pseudo) indirect boiler and figured I would share the beginning since I don't see anyone else using band heaters like this. It's been tough motivating myself to deal with my 15G boiler so maybe this will help at a measly 5.16 Gal size.
I have four 1800w/240v band heaters installed on the lower half. Since 7000w at 240v in parallel is probably overkill I'll switch and team them such that I can work with series/parallel combinations and maybe also use 120v at times. My PID and SSR can handle the full 7000w and with 2s PWM duty cycle I should have plenty of range and control. Full power is 46 watts/in^2 which is less than the ULWD immersion elements and 1/4 power is a measly 11.5 watts/in^2 (2 in series or 1/2 voltage). Brute power and delicate heating should be possible with power delivery down to the bottom 1.5" of the keg if I need to. With 5 Gal capacity, it's also a big enough batch vessel to operate as a 15psi steam generator, high temp extraction vessel, pressure cooking tank or rapid aging tank. Many choices here and all with a smooth sanitary interior of a strong tank.
I'm contemplating opening the top sankey fitting (2" tri-clamp) to a true 3" tri-clamp for better seals and easier filling and emptying. Especially since with a tri-clamp fermenter cap I can envision my dream goal of cooking, fermenting and stilling in one vessel with no transfer. I'd be limited to about 3.75 Gal to do this single pot, run on the grain but it sure seems simple. Even when 2/3 full these kegs are not hard to move and a 3" opening should be plenty big enough to dump grain filled backset with a wash hose.
I'm working on a small electric (pseudo) indirect boiler and figured I would share the beginning since I don't see anyone else using band heaters like this. It's been tough motivating myself to deal with my 15G boiler so maybe this will help at a measly 5.16 Gal size.
I have four 1800w/240v band heaters installed on the lower half. Since 7000w at 240v in parallel is probably overkill I'll switch and team them such that I can work with series/parallel combinations and maybe also use 120v at times. My PID and SSR can handle the full 7000w and with 2s PWM duty cycle I should have plenty of range and control. Full power is 46 watts/in^2 which is less than the ULWD immersion elements and 1/4 power is a measly 11.5 watts/in^2 (2 in series or 1/2 voltage). Brute power and delicate heating should be possible with power delivery down to the bottom 1.5" of the keg if I need to. With 5 Gal capacity, it's also a big enough batch vessel to operate as a 15psi steam generator, high temp extraction vessel, pressure cooking tank or rapid aging tank. Many choices here and all with a smooth sanitary interior of a strong tank.
I'm contemplating opening the top sankey fitting (2" tri-clamp) to a true 3" tri-clamp for better seals and easier filling and emptying. Especially since with a tri-clamp fermenter cap I can envision my dream goal of cooking, fermenting and stilling in one vessel with no transfer. I'd be limited to about 3.75 Gal to do this single pot, run on the grain but it sure seems simple. Even when 2/3 full these kegs are not hard to move and a 3" opening should be plenty big enough to dump grain filled backset with a wash hose.