Boil kettle condenser - no overhead ventilation needed

[Cool_Hand_Luke]

So is there a decision on whether the 6 or 9 GPM sprayer works better for folks with 60-80 psi water sources? And is there any new news with sprayers vs misters? (Working with 2-4 gallon batches here, on a 1500 watt element.)

Also, any updates on 1.5” vs 2” TC equipment? Will the 1.5” suffice?

From what dockside has reported at 60 psi pressure and a 6 gph nozzle getting 205F condensate, that would mean a 6 gph is slightly more than he needs to condense the steam coming from the boil (if it was exactly matched it would be near 212F). So at 60 psi, 6 gph nozzle is sufficient, but a 9 gph may be advisable just to keep the condensate temperature down for safer disposal down a sink or floor drain.

 

[BrunDog]

From what dockside has reported at 60 psi pressure and a 6 gph nozzle getting 205F condensate, that would mean a 6 gph is slightly more than he needs to condense the steam coming from the boil (if it was exactly matched it would be near 212F). So at 60 psi, 6 gph nozzle is sufficient, but a 9 gph may be advisable just to keep the condensate temperature down for safer disposal down a sink or floor drain.

Well stated!

 

[enormous13]

From what dockside has reported at 60 psi pressure and a 6 gph nozzle getting 205F condensate, that would mean a 6 gph is slightly more than he needs to condense the steam coming from the boil (if it was exactly matched it would be near 212F). So at 60 psi, 6 gph nozzle is sufficient, but a 9 gph may be advisable just to keep the condensate temperature down for safer disposal down a sink or floor drain.

Well stated!

Understood, thank you @Cool_Hand_Luke and @BrunDog

 

[ingchr1]

In my collection pot the water cooled to a steady 120F. No idea what the actual exit temperature from the condenser was though. I imagine it was up what others are seeing.

My parameters: 6gpm nozzle, 40 - 60psi (well), 45F water, 50F ambient

 

[BeardedBrews]

Well stated!

This is especially surprising given @Cool_Hand_Luke 's past communication failures!

 

[Wogman75]

what is this "stink of brewing" anyway? brewing smells great!

I agree my wife loves the smell when I am brewing.

 

[RiverCityBrewer]

So is there a decision on whether the 6 or 9 GPM sprayer works better for folks with 60-80 psi water sources? And is there any new news with sprayers vs misters? (Working with 2-4 gallon batches here, on a 1500 watt element.)

Also, any updates on 1.5” vs 2” TC equipment? Will the 1.5” suffice?

I'm using the 6GPH sprayer and my home pressure is 75psi. When I did a water trial a few weeks ago, my tap water temp was around 48F and the drain water temp was 145F. I'd imagine there will be some variance in the drain temp depending on the seasonal water temp if all other parameters are the same. If my tap water temp gets too warm in the summer, I may have to switch to the 9GPH sprayer, but I'll have to wait several months to test that.

 

[Cool_Hand_Luke]

This is especially surprising given @Cool_Hand_Luke 's past communication failures!

I am a bit ashamed how long it took me to get this...

 

[BeardedBrews]

I am a bit ashamed how long it took me to get this...

Hahahah! Always have to be on the lookout for the throw-back quotes.

 

[enormous13]

I'm using the 6GPH sprayer and my home pressure is 75psi. When I did a water trial a few weeks ago, my tap water temp was around 48F and the drain water temp was 145F. I'd imagine there will be some variance in the drain temp depending on the seasonal water temp if all other parameters are the same. If my tap water temp gets too warm in the summer, I may have to switch to the 9GPH sprayer, but I'll have to wait several months to test that.

I'm at that 70-75 psi range as well, but my Orlando ground water averages about 74* throughout the year. Sounds like I'll start with that 6 GPH sprayer, and order the 9 GPH as well, just in case. Thanks brother.

 

[processhead]

Great R&D effort guys!
Keep up the beta testing.

 

[jonny_5]

Been following this thread for a while now, and finally decided to go ahead and build one of these and try it out. I went with the 1.5" TC setup off the side of the kettle and the 6 GPH nozzle.
All the parts arrived and did the water test last week, and was getting 0.75 gallons per hour boil off.
Brewed up a 3 gallon test batch of a dark mild on Saturday and everything went great! Hit all my numbers and the condenser was 100% effective at eliminating the steam. Looking forward to tasting the results in a couple weeks!

 

[enormous13]

For some reason, it took me way too long to think of this question for the group, but:

Would I be able to use one TC fitting on the kettle to use this condenser during boil and then remove it, replace with a TC whirlpool arm for the last bit of the boil to sanitize, and then whirlpool through chilling.
-OR-
Would you just get two TC fittings for your kettle, one for both the condenser and the whirlpool?

 

[Bobby_M]

I think a dual use port is too complex. Hose change outside, then you need a tc flange on the inside too onto which the whirlpool would attach.

 

[BrunDog]

I think a dual use port is too complex. Hose change outside, then you need a tc flange on the inside too onto which the whirlpool would attach.

Agreed!

 

[enormous13]

@Bobby_M another order inbound lol. Thanks.

 

[enormous13]

So, @BrunDog put together an item list with links much earlier in this thread for his 2" version, but I was hoping to help anyone looking to put together the 1.5" TC version of this, as I'm compiling this order right now. @Dockside_Brewing linked his build somewhere along the way too using 1.5" components.

• 1.5" Weldless TC Flange - https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tc15wlf.htm
• 1.5" TC Clamp (x3) - https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tc15clamp.htm
• 1.5" TC Gasket (x3) - https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tc15gk.htm
• 1.5" TC Coupling - https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tc15f12nptdouble.htm
• 1.5" TC x 5/8" Barb - https://www.brewhardware.com/product_p/tc15hb58.htm
• 1.5" TC Instrument Tee - https://www.brewershardware.com/1_5-Tri-Clover-Clamp-Instrument-Tee-TC15TEE-SL.html
• 6 Gallon Nozzle - https://www.mcmaster.com/#3178k46/=1b1mr7g
• 9 Gallon Nozzle - https://www.mcmaster.com/#3178k47/=1aftzdi
• 1/2" NPT to 1/8" NPT Reducer - https://www.mcmaster.com/#4464k523/=1afu3te
• 1/2" NPT x 1.5" Nipple - https://www.mcmaster.com/#4830k172/=1b2gr77
  • Total Cost (Pre-Shipping): $130.24

That last item is what I need help on here. I think I remember seeing that for the 1.5" TC build we need to replace this part from BrunDog's list with another sized option of the same component. Could someone point me in the right direction on this one? Preferably from McMaster or the other vendors listed, just since we're ordering from them already.

Excited to get this put together, ordered, and begin using it!

EDIT: Thanks @Spartan1979 for help on that last part. I plugged it in with link and adjusted price.

EDIT: Opted to plug in a 1-1/8" nipple based upon the conversation below, pics included.

EDIT: Changed back to Spartan's part lol.

 

[Spartan1979]

1/2" NPT x 1.5" Nipple https://www.mcmaster.com/#4830k172/=1b2gr77

2.5 inches is too long.

Dockside Brewing gave this to me.

 

[Thedutchtouch]

would a 2 inch version work instead of 2.5 inch? https://www.brewershardware.com/1-2-NPT-Stainless-Pipe-Nipple-2-OAL.html 3 dollars.

edit: too slow

 

[enormous13]

1/2" NPT x 1.5" Nipple https://www.mcmaster.com/#4830k172/=1b2gr77

2.5 inches is too long.

Dockside Brewing gave this to me.

Thanks brother

and @Thedutchtouch appreciate it as well

 

[ingchr1]

Delete, incorrect info.

 

[ingchr1]

Here's how mine sits using a Hex Nipple:

 

[BrunDog]

That looks good. You want the nozzle as high as possible without spraying out the side entry port.

 

[ingchr1]

Delete, incorrect info

 

[BudgetBrewer]

So those nozzels do spray pretty much downward? Moreso than horizontal?

 

[BrunDog]

I think about a 90 degree spread, so 45 off the vertical centerline. That’s strictly a guess though. IIRC the spec is listed at McMaster-Carr.

 

[enormous13]

I think about a 90 degree spread, so 45 off the vertical centerline. That’s strictly a guess though. IIRC the spec is listed at McMaster-Carr.

80 degree cone on the McMaster sprays.

@ingchr1 Seems like that's a good height with the 1 inch nipple, did you get any of the spray going into the branch off of the tee?

 

[BrunDog]

The real key is to maximize the volume of area that the cone sprays in to increase its exposure to steam. Theoretically, as the pipe gets narrower, so should the cone as you don’t want to just water down the pipe’s walls. Of course we use what we can get off the shelf, but just reminding everyone the goal with respect to the sprayer patterns.

 

[ingchr1]

Here's the spray:

 

[raysmithtx]

The stainless flex I used fits slightly loose over the barbs so a small amount of condensate did drip at the collection pot end and collect on the lid, but it's no issue at all.

If I may ask, where did you find the flex pipe. I can only find 20' lengths and it's expensive. My google fu skills must be low today.