Automatic column flooding sensor and power cutoff

Distillation methods and improvements.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Post Reply
User avatar
FuelMaker
Swill Maker
Posts: 168
Joined: Sat Jan 18, 2014 2:51 am
Location: Gig Harbor (ish), WA

Automatic column flooding sensor and power cutoff

Post by FuelMaker »

I picked this up for only $9.16 on cyber monday from Amazon, it can be configured as normally open or normally closed. I'm thinking of mounting it so the float is an inch or so above the top of my packing to detect and counter column flooding.

The thought is that when the float rises it'll trigger a (loud!) audible and visual alarm as well as opening a normally closed time delay relay that'll kill power to the pump that's feeding the steam generator (copper flash coil in an oil pot) from the reservoir.

Using a flash coil gives me instant on and instant off and I think this would be a good way to take advantage of it.

The specific gravity of the float is .70 and pure ethanol is .78 so it should float well enough - just a little late to trigger. Certainly better than just having distillate start pouring out the top of the column.

Also, I dont have much confidence in my ability to hear when the column is flooding - too many years near turbine engines and a real bad case of tinnitus in both ears.

If at all, how far do you think I should have it above the packing?
Attachments
floatsw.jpg
floatsw.jpg (6.96 KiB) Viewed 985 times
"A little bit of oops goes a long way."
DFitz
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 564
Joined: Wed Feb 29, 2012 10:16 am
Location: Sleeping under a bridge near you

Re: Automatic column flooding sensor and power cutoff

Post by DFitz »

.70 at what temperature?
User avatar
FuelMaker
Swill Maker
Posts: 168
Joined: Sat Jan 18, 2014 2:51 am
Location: Gig Harbor (ish), WA

Re: Automatic column flooding sensor and power cutoff

Post by FuelMaker »

DFitz wrote:.70 at what temperature?
Considering the float is a sealed stainless vessel, its at any temperature up to failure. Thermal expansion of the stainless would be minimal and it's good up to 200 PSI.

The real question should be what's the specific gravity of ethanol at it's boiling point - which is about .75

Hadn't thought of that until your question though. So it'll float, barely.
"A little bit of oops goes a long way."
Post Reply