I have read almost everything I can find related to the wort recirculation flow rate and am just as confused as when I started.
What I am specifically trying to find is an equation or ratio that will tell me what water flow rate I need in the mashing process.
Obviously, I am aware of the endless variables that lead up to that point so let me try to generalize if I can.
I am plan on fabricating my own mash tun for my Senior Design Project. I am flexible on all of the dimensions (but have some preferences in mind due to ease of fabrication). I plan on having a full false bottom in my mash tun and heating with a heat exchanger that I am building. Before I can ever get into the design of the heat exchanger I need to try and nail down the flow rate of water through the grain bed.
1. For a cylindrical grain bed what is the speed that water will flow down through it, is the maximum rate to high for proper mashing?
2. Should the space under the false bottom be minimized or maximized to any specific point?
3. Should I build my equipment specifically for one recipe at one volume?
4. It looks like the maximum amount of grain that i will be able to mash is around 100lbs due to boiler volume limitations.
5. I will have mechanical grain bed agitation to prevent large batches from clogging. Should it run constant or intermittently?
6. If someone out there with some experience in hydrology could tell me the permeability factor for a grain bed(dry, wet, disturbed, and settled) I could solve Darcy's equation for the flow rate. (what I would give if my hydrologist roomate hadn't just decided to get a job and leave)
I'll try and stop my questions here. One could almost write their dissertation over what I just asked. Any input would be greatly appreciated! I would even snail mail you a beer if you solve my problem!
Clay
What I am specifically trying to find is an equation or ratio that will tell me what water flow rate I need in the mashing process.
Obviously, I am aware of the endless variables that lead up to that point so let me try to generalize if I can.
I am plan on fabricating my own mash tun for my Senior Design Project. I am flexible on all of the dimensions (but have some preferences in mind due to ease of fabrication). I plan on having a full false bottom in my mash tun and heating with a heat exchanger that I am building. Before I can ever get into the design of the heat exchanger I need to try and nail down the flow rate of water through the grain bed.
1. For a cylindrical grain bed what is the speed that water will flow down through it, is the maximum rate to high for proper mashing?
2. Should the space under the false bottom be minimized or maximized to any specific point?
3. Should I build my equipment specifically for one recipe at one volume?
4. It looks like the maximum amount of grain that i will be able to mash is around 100lbs due to boiler volume limitations.
5. I will have mechanical grain bed agitation to prevent large batches from clogging. Should it run constant or intermittently?
6. If someone out there with some experience in hydrology could tell me the permeability factor for a grain bed(dry, wet, disturbed, and settled) I could solve Darcy's equation for the flow rate. (what I would give if my hydrologist roomate hadn't just decided to get a job and leave)
I'll try and stop my questions here. One could almost write their dissertation over what I just asked. Any input would be greatly appreciated! I would even snail mail you a beer if you solve my problem!
Clay