Exploring options for an upgrade on my still.
I've seen multiple examples of boilers imploding after being turned off and operators forgetting to open to atmosphere.
I like making things idiot proof as I can be a pretty big one sometimes
That said, has anybody sucessfully made a spring loaded vacuum poppet valve ?
IE: like a PRV but in reverse ?
I'm not fat, I'm in shape....Round is a shape
Getting old has whiskers on it !
Just a heads up that for safety reasons your boiler should always be open to the atmosphere otherwise you have a bomb full of alcohol.
The one caveat is running with a thumper where there's liquid-trap that can be significant between the vapor path and the atmosphere and turning off the power to the boiler will create a vacuum (sucking back any liquid from thumper to boiler) that can and will implode the boiler. Furthermore, if you're running with solids in the thumper like perhaps fruit pomace or grains then that return path can also become blocked.
With a thumper, it's highly recommended to have a physical vacuum release valve on the boiler/riser/lyne-arm that you always manually open when you remove power from the boiler. A manometer is also highly recommended so you can visually monitor the pressure in your boiler whether you have power applied or not.
In my opinion those two items are requirements to running with a thumper - not recommendations. Multiple thumpers require appropriate multiple vapor vacuum release valves and manometers.
Pot stills, flute trays/caps, packed CM/LM/CCVM columns are otherwise all open to the atmosphere either through a reflux path and/or product condenser and they need to be for safety. Narrow vapor paths can be easily blocked so beware.
For a thumper setup I would always include a manual ball valve that you can always physically open and direct the output (or input) of that path away from your operating location and any flame.
Black Bull wrote: ↑Wed Aug 21, 2024 4:57 am
Exploring options for an upgrade on my still.
I've seen multiple examples of boilers imploding after being turned off and operators forgetting to open to atmosphere.
I like making things idiot proof as I can be a pretty big one sometimes
That said, has anybody sucessfully made a spring loaded vacuum poppet valve ?
IE: like a PRV but in reverse ?
i may be wrong, but the 2 imploding boilers, that i've heard of, have been digiboil/brewzilla type boiler.
i think at least one of the cases involved leaving the output tube in the product after shutting down on a closed system without a breather.
my 2" modular set up involves a parrot, which has a breather in it, making implosions almost impossible.
thumpers require some attention to possible pressure problems for different reasons.
Tōtōchtin wrote: ↑Wed Aug 21, 2024 6:27 am
I picked up a 1/2" Eastman and a 3/4" Watt vacuum breaker on Amazon for 22 bucks delivered. They both look like this one.
Tōtō
Nice Tõtō
Been thinking about something like that but didn’t know they were available .
Yummyrum wrote: ↑Wed Aug 21, 2024 2:06 pm
Is 0.1-0.5 bar going to open before the contents of the Thumper gets sucked back to the boiler ?
I have a vacuum breaker that takes 1/2 PSI (0.035 bar) to crack open. I ran out of propane without noticing during a grappa run last year and sucked pomace into my steam boiler. 1/2" PSI corresponds to approximately 13 inches of lift.
Yummyrum wrote: ↑Wed Aug 21, 2024 2:06 pm
Is 0.1-0.5 bar going to open before the contents of the Thumper gets sucked back to the boiler ?
The 1/2" Eastman I was able to open with my lungs. No clue what it is officially rated at. I figure that should work. I also have a liquid manometer, a 0-3 psi guage for my boiler and a 0-15 psi guage to use on the boiler and steam generator, plus a 220° F alarm in case I ever fall asleep at the wheel.
Tōtō
Thanks guys.
Pretty much covered it,
I was thinking of using an old supercharger blow off plate backwards but seems you guys have presented easier options.
I'm not fat, I'm in shape....Round is a shape
Getting old has whiskers on it !
