Airlock Chamber in Unitank to Dry Hop under pressure?

[AGinABQ]

While degassing the pressure in my new ss brewtech unitank to dry hop, I began thinking about creating an airlock chamber in the top 3” TC port to be able to dry hop without the need to degas before adding hops/late additions. My idea is as follows:

3” port/lid>>>3” butterfly valve>>extension tube>>butterfly valve>>prv valve and cap


The idea would be to close both valves during fermentation (I am planning to add a secondary adjustable prv) and then open top valve to drop hops in, close top valve, and open bottom valve to drop into beer.

Is there any validity to this idea? Has anyone done something similar?

 

[clarkpadgett]

That's exactly how I do it, except my port is 4 inches and I only use 1 butterfly valve. It works great! One additional step I do is to purge the "airlock" with CO2 before opening the valve to dump the hops.

 

[AGinABQ]

That's exactly how I do it, except my port is 4 inches and I only use 1 butterfly valve. It works great! One additional step I do is to purge the "airlock" with CO2 before opening the valve to dump the hops.

So you just remove cap, add hops, reinstall cap, and then open the valve?

That’s much simpler than what I was envisioning. Thanks!

 

[clarkpadgett]

That's right. Here's how I've got it set up.

 

[AGinABQ]

Thanks. Now I just need to find a 3” extension tube that isn’t a foot long.

 

[clarkpadgett]

https://www.glaciertanks.com/tri-clamp-fittings-1-12-inch-spools-sp-g300-003.html, unfortunately they are backordered right now.

 

[czmkid]

This is a great idea. I threw my dry hops in the first batch in my uni and wondered if there was a better way then having to open the tc at the top this letting oxygen in. Thanks!

 

[Hop Widget]

A bit of an old thread - I know. Just wondering if ABQ or anyone else ever tried this with a 3” butterfly valve? I tried something similar with a 2” valve, but it was too small and the hops just clumped up and wouldn’t fall through...

 

[AGinABQ]

A bit of an old thread - I know. Just wondering if ABQ or anyone else ever tried this with a 3” butterfly valve? I tried something similar with a 2” valve, but it was too small and the hops just clumped up and wouldn’t fall through...

Yep I am using a 3” butterfly valve and have no issues. I can post some pics for you if needed.

 

[Hop Widget]

Yep I am using a 3” butterfly valve and have no issues. I can post some pics for you if needed.

Thanks for the reply! I always like pics, but I think I have a pretty good grasp on how I’m going to set it up I have a unitank as well and I was hoping I was going to be able to use an extra 2” valve that I already had (along with a 3” to 2” reducer), but like I mentioned before - it’s just too small of an opening. So... I just wanted to make sure your system was working well before I made the investment in a new valve!

 

[Dockside_Brewing]

How are the gas port and PRV mounted? Any pics?

 

[im322305]

That's right. Here's how I've got it set up.

View attachment 556068

Where did you find an endcap that accomodates both a ball lock post and PRV?

 

[speavler]

here's the one i use.

https://www.norcalbrewingsolutions....-Pressure-Relief-Valve-3-Inch-Tri-Clover.html

 

[Vale71]

That valve spunds at 5 psi. That's a bit low for a Unitank and is going to blow like crazy when you open the 3" valve.

 

[speavler]

you can adjust the prv by tightening the spring, but you're probably right - not ideal for higher unitank pressure.

 

[clarkpadgett]

Where did you find an endcap that accomodates both a ball lock post and PRV?

That endcap came with the fermenter that I use. It is the one made by Sabco. The cap that I have has two beer thread fittings that I screwed the ball lock post to, but now they use 1/2" triclamp fittings instead. It's still possible with the new style, but not quite as convenient as the beer threads.