Worm length and diameter in relation to power input

[00Buck]

Every since I found this forum a couple of weeks ago Ive spent an ungodly amount of time here. Wow. I thought I knew about the craft but turns out Im a fossil watching spaceships take off in relation.

My question is how does the burner power affect worm size? For example say you have 50,000 BTU propane burner and its running at such. How does a 1/2 inch 25 foot worm perform vs a 3/4 25 foot worm? Im just curious how all this comes into play just for the sake of the knowledge.

I tried using that calculator on the parent but the conversions just dont work out for me

[OtisT]

Sorry if this is more than you wanted.

You need to add a few other factors into your equation: Cooling water temp and volume. That is unless you have endless cold water to use. The Temp is the main variable, but if your cooling water volume is small your water temp will rise quicker so volume can quickly become an issue. Also a factor is your main boiler size (charge volume) and the type of distillation runs you will be doing. (Strip/pot still or Column with reflux.). It’s all related.

Tell us about your water reservoir and the type of still runs you have planned.

Either tubing could be long enough to work if your water is cold enough and you have enough water. Your cooling water temp will rise over the course of the run unless it is refreshed. The warmer the water, the longer the pipe you will need to get the same knockdown power.

In general terms the 3/4” pipe has more than twice the volume of 1/2” pipe so your vapor will move less than half as fast in the larger pipe. (More “dwell time” in the same length of pipe.) So that larger diameter 3/4” pipe is roughly equivalent to a 1/2” pipe that is twice the length with regard to knockdown power.

[00Buck]

Sorry if this is more than you wanted.

You need to add a few other factors into your equation: Cooling water temp and volume. That is unless you have endless cold water to use. The Temp is the main variable, but if your cooling water volume is small your water temp will rise quicker so volume can quickly become an issue. Also a factor is your main boiler size (charge volume) and the type of distillation runs you will be doing. (Strip/pot still or Column with reflux.). It’s all related.

Tell us about your water reservoir and the type of still runs you have planned.

Either tubing could be long enough to work if your water is cold enough and you have enough water. Your cooling water temp will rise over the course of the run unless it is refreshed. The warmer the water, the longer the pipe you will need to get the same knockdown power.

In general terms the 3/4” pipe has more than twice the volume of 1/2” pipe so your vapor will move less than half as fast in the larger pipe. (More “dwell time” in the same length of pipe.) So that larger diameter 3/4” pipe is roughly equivalent to a 1/2” pipe that is twice the length with regard to knockdown power.

Well just say in my case I dont have access to flowing water. I have a 55 gallon cooling tub on a 20 gallon pot at 50,000 BTUS and the water is 75 degrees because it sits at ambient temp. All this is just a scenario for my question.

[00Buck]

Sorry if this is more than you wanted.

You need to add a few other factors into your equation: Cooling water temp and volume. That is unless you have endless cold water to use. The Temp is the main variable, but if your cooling water volume is small your water temp will rise quicker so volume can quickly become an issue. Also a factor is your main boiler size (charge volume) and the type of distillation runs you will be doing. (Strip/pot still or Column with reflux.). It’s all related.

Tell us about your water reservoir and the type of still runs you have planned.

Either tubing could be long enough to work if your water is cold enough and you have enough water. Your cooling water temp will rise over the course of the run unless it is refreshed. The warmer the water, the longer the pipe you will need to get the same knockdown power.

In general terms the 3/4” pipe has more than twice the volume of 1/2” pipe so your vapor will move less than half as fast in the larger pipe. (More “dwell time” in the same length of pipe.) So that larger diameter 3/4” pipe is roughly equivalent to a 1/2” pipe that is twice the length with regard to knockdown power.

Well just say in my case I dont have access to flowing water. I have a 55 gallon cooling tub on a 20 gallon pot at 50,000 BTUS and the water is 75 degrees because it sits at ambient temp. All this is just a scenario for my question. From what you said it seems that a bigger diameter pipe would benefit any scenario better due to time spent in it and the length of time it would take to condense

[Demy]

Add a practical element ..... folding a 3/4 tube is not very easy ...... just a thought.

[shadylane]

Well just say in my case I dont have access to flowing water. I have a 55 gallon cooling tub on a 20 gallon pot at 50,000 BTUS and the water is 75 degrees because it sits at ambient temp. All this is just a scenario for my question.

Just guesstimating as to the practicality, not the math involved
Both 1/2" and 3/4" will work, 3/4 will be better.
How long before the water gets too hot depends on the power driving the boiler and the volume of the barrel.
A steel barrel will dissipate more heat than a plastic one.