Multi-plate Heat Exchanger.

[alice]

So there I was, trawling the net looking at wild ideas as usual, when I came upon this: http://mashmaster.com.au/p/365438/chillout-mkiii.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow. Not the first time I've seen one, but this time a thought crossed my mind that this could possibly make a very nice compact condensor, and look quite un-stillish in the process.

Any thoughts? Yes, I know I can make my own one cheaper outta copperr, this is more of a hypothetical question. Would it work?

[Hawke]

I think you would end up with it loading up before anything came through.

[rad14701]

Upon a quick look at this unit it appears to me that if you were to use one of these you would most likely want to use alternate flow routes than those marked... Water in the bottom and out the top, and distillate in the top and spirit out the bottom, would seem more logical for use as a still condenser...

[alice]

I think you would end up with it loading up before anything came through.

Hmmm, it does have ten simultaneous vapour paths (ie each second plate), dunno about the spacing between the plates though but I imagine it'd have to be moderately wide enough to allow liquid flow.

[Dnderhead]

I thank it would work but a little expensive

[OldManP]

what if ya already own one?? not sure if mine is SS or Al though/ if it is SS, would y'all suggest tryin?

[Dnderhead]

If you got one already I whould say yes, what heart would it do? it would settle curiosity and mite turn out to be a good thing. mite help thoes that cant make there own and in need of a compact condenser.

[OldManP]

right now I'm using a condensing copper coil and a barrel of water, but I'll try to get a pump and use this multi-layer cross flow condenser in the near future.

[Hack]

right now I'm using a condensing copper coil and a barrel of water, but I'll try to get a pump and use this multi-layer cross flow condenser in the near future.

It looks to me like it could be made to work. I'm not so sure about keeping it clean or cleaning it in the event of your still puking. I can identify with your curiosity, but it seems you'd be trading something simple that works with something unproven and more complex. I'm still curious to hear how it works though.

[Dnderhead]

my idea is if you can try for little or nothing go ahead mite help a lot of people ( but do not go and spend a bunch of money on it)

you can take a man out of distilling ---but---
you cant take the distilling out of the man.

[Barney Fife]

I'm looking forward to hearing of your results, also; looks to be a simple, compact, yet efficient heat exchanger, so it should work. Cleaning shouldn't be an issue with pipe cleaners or the right chemicals(we recently had a good thread on this topic)

[carlos castenada]

hi all.

I personnally think that the chance of it working is very slim. i've had allot of experience of plate heat exchangers through commmercial/ industrial heating and air conditioning. small plate heat exchangers like this cannot be taken apart to clean internally. Iv'e no doubt that the alcohol vapour would condense internally but don't think that it could be positioned to allow
gravity to allow the condensed liquid to run out.
the only time i have seen these heat exchangers used with a liquid medium cooling a vapour was with a very high pressure
gas which resulted in any liquid being forced out.
Also they're prone in blocking/ scalling up on the water side.

cheers.

[yonch]

I found this on the subject, apparently Plate Heat Exchangers are used in commercial distillation

http://www.mbaa.com/Districts/Michigan/ ... tation.ppt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

if anybody has more information, I'd like to know

yonch

[decoy]

those plate exchangers are considerably expensive.

the plates use a gasket, ones pictured are rubber or teflon which we have agreed are a NO NO.

i belive that multi core tube condensors are used in vapour paths.

plate exchangers are used with liquids.

cheers

[yonch]

Hi,
In the link I sent, it says that the plates that touch distillate are brazed together, and only the water-side is gasketed to facilitate cleaning.

on ebay I've seen what I think are fully brazed (no gaskets, no option for cleaning) plate heat exchangers, which are made of only stainless steel and copper (copper is used for the brazing)

another site you might want to check is http://flatplateselect.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow they have a calculator for condensing applications, that has ethanol for condensing side!

insights are welcome...

yonch