Horizontal boiler

[Daveman69]

I have searched the site over and haven't seen anyone using a horizontal boiler. Is there any particular reason for this? I am in the planning stage for a 3" or 4" column. I know if I go with the 4" column, a half barrel keg would really be undersized. I am thinking of going with maybe a 30 gallon boiler. I would rather go with horizontal tank; or maybe even a rectangle tank. Has anyone here ever done this; or see any concerns about it? I am also having trouble finding a supplier in the U.S. with reasonable prices if anyone know one.

[googe]

They work any orientation, what are the reasons you ask about horizontal?, more info on.what your doing will help others help you.

[Saltbush Bill]

As Goo said its been done before ...there are examples of horizontal beer keg boilers around the forums.

[NZChris]

viewtopic.php?t=57353

[googe]

Haha I like your first post Chris

[LWTCS]

Yeah that thread was,,,,revealing.

[still_stirrin]

To me, the biggest shortcoming of a horizontal cylindrical boiler is that the liquid surface has less distance to drop before you (potentially) dry fire the heater element (assuming an electrically heated boiler).

And since a vast majority of hobby distillers use 15 gallon beer kegs as boilers, the skirts are a natural support base for a boiler filled with wash...stability. A horizontal keg would require a framework to support it.

Having designed production vessels for oil and gas production platforms, orientation of the vessel often is determined by the area available on the platform for the vessel. But, liquid separation vessels are typically horizontal tanks and tube-in-shell heat exchangers likewise, are typically horizontal vessels, while gas separators are quite often vertical tanks. So, several factors are considered when designing the equipment and production stream.

But come to think of it....I never have seen a square production vessel....except for a (liquid to liquid) plate heat exchanger. Manufacturing cost and efficiency is probably the reason.
ss

[LWTCS]

Sure.
With respect to kettles , the orientation is more predicated upon the limitations ( or the like) of the work environment.

To try and make the assertion that a horizontal or squat kettle has a more dynamic behavior for distillation purposes is ridiculous.

And as you and others mentioned, its actually less optimal when using an immersion element as the risk for dry fire is increased substantially.

[Daveman69]

My main reason for thinking about going horizontal is to keep it's height down so that I don't lose the height for my column. I know it can be done just wasn't sure why it's not done more often. I have a half barrel beer keg but that will be too small and I don't want to go any taller. As I stated in my first post I am planning on a future build of a 3" or 4" column. Probably a ccvm. Then later a plated column.

[LWTCS]

Totally doable.
And done for all the reasons you mention Dave.

[6 Row Joe]

Are you thinking a "submarine boiler"?

Dang, put some tracks on that thing and it would be a Sherman Tank. LOL

[Daveman69]

Are you thinking a "submarine boiler"?submarine.jpg
Dang, put some tracks on that thing and it would be a Sherman Tank. LOL

That would be cool 6 row but I think it would be hard to find unless I had one custom built. It looks good though.

[Daveman69]

viewtopic.php?t=57353

I just finished reading that thread Chris. Boy, seems like most really don't like the idea of going horizontal. But a squatty pot is accepted. Is there really much of a difference between the two?

[NZChris]

I reckon build stuff out of what you've got or can get cheap. Research basic but important stuff and try to use it in your build, e.g., PTFE is ok, copper is better than SS, if electric, keep the element low to ensure good convection currents when running low volumes.

[Saltbush Bill]

I think your worrying to much.
Ive seen a number of horizontal keg boilers around the forums, both gas and electric fired, never yet seen the owner of one have problems or say " I wish I didn't do it that way." There are many options and many ways that you can do it , here are just a couple of examples that Ive seen.

[NZChris]

I've seen one in the making that was a copper hot water cylinder on it's side. The biggest worry was supporting a heavy column on copper, so it was braced to support it.

A boiler doesn't have to be horizontal, or vertical, or symmetrical. You could design a keg still on an angle that put an element at the lowest point and the riser at the other end at the highest point.

It might be easy to put an element through the bottom of a keg. I haven't got one here at the moment, so I can't have a look. Elements can be bent within reason, mine are bent about 45 degrees.

[Daveman69]

Thank you for everyone's replies. Hopefully I can find a cheap pot about 30 gallons. It will need to have some strength to it due to the weight of the 3 or 4" column. On with my search.

[NZChris]

The roof supports the weight of my column. Chains and turnbuckles take the weight and keep it positioned in case of an earthquake.

[Daveman69]

I have thought about that Chris. I probably will use chain or cable to stabilize the column. But I still want the pot to be able to withstand the weight.

[LWTCS]

How much height do you have to work with Dave?
Floor to ceiling?

[The Baker]

I have thought about that Chris. I probably will use chain or cable to stabilize the column. But I still want the pot to be able to withstand the weight.

Why?

Geoff

[Daveman69]

How much height do you have to work with Dave?
Floor to ceiling?

I have 8 feet.

[Daveman69]

I have thought about that Chris. I probably will use chain or cable to stabilize the column. But I still want the pot to be able to withstand the weight.

Why?

Geoff

That's if needed Baker. Dependant on how stable the pot is. Also helpful due to the rc and water lines ect causing the column to be off balance.

[The Baker]

I have thought about that Chris. I probably will use chain or cable to stabilize the column. But I still want the pot to be able to withstand the weight.

Why?

Geoff

That's if needed Baker. Dependant on how stable the pot is. Also helpful due to the rc and water lines ect causing the column to be off balance.

No, why do you want the still to withstand the weight?
It's irrelevant if you provide supports.

Geoff

[Daveman69]

I have thought about that Chris. I probably will use chain or cable to stabilize the column. But I still want the pot to be able to withstand the weight.

Why?

Geoff

That's if needed Baker. Dependant on how stable the pot is. Also helpful due to the rc and water lines ect causing the column to be off balance.

No, why do you want the still to withstand the weight?
It's irrelevant if you provide supports.

Geoff

Why wouldn't I? I want a good strong pot that is going to last a long time. I don't want some cheap thin piece of crap that I will have to replace.

[NZChris]

If that thin piece of crap that might get bent is copper, it'll make better product than a robust Stainless Steel boiler.

[Daveman69]

If that thin piece of crap that might get bent is copper, it'll make better product than a robust Stainless Steel boiler.

True. But I doubt I'll be able to find one made out of copper that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg.

[NZChris]

Being an old hand at the game, I look in a scrap metal dealer's copper bin and see what could be kitset stills for sale at scrap prices. Bought 8' of 3" copper pipe for 90 NZ$ not too long ago.

[Yummyrum]

Absolutely NZchris

True. But I doubt I'll be able to find one made out of copper that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg.

Found this at the tip . 40 gal boiler ... too big for me and I’ll be shrinking it down a bit ... but ... bargains are out there . Be positive

[Daveman69]

Absolutely NZchris

True. But I doubt I'll be able to find one made out of copper that isn't going to cost an arm and a leg.

Found this at the tip . 40 gal boiler ... too big for me and I’ll be shrinking it down a bit ... but ... bargains are out there . Be positive
4455FFAB-0CDF-4B94-967E-152AAFCB7AC2.jpeg

Wow. Nice find. That thing will look sexy cleaned up. Most everything is closed here right now due to the damn covid-19. So scrap yards are out for now.