Conical Question

[StMarcos]

Is it common for full penetration welds to look so junk? I just thought that they were professional welders and might have some sort of jig/automatic wire fed tig or something.

 

[boo boo]

I am getting ready to move into conicals and have my eye on this. The price seems right, and reviews from the HBT community seem positive.

This http://conical-fermenter.com/products/conical-fermenters/ one is also a good choice. I have the 7.3 and find it excellent. The ownwer is also great to work with, I've had occassion to order extras from him, and his service is second to none.

 

[dstar26t]

Beemer, you might want to passivate after so much action.. I don't know I'm not a guru with that stuff.

I can certainly reach down to the bottom of my fermenter (that also has a 4" TC top) with a green scrubby. In addition to a clean in place solution I use which involves loc-line, quick disconnects, my wort pump (LG), and a cip revolving spray ball, I also do steam sanitizing about every 3rd ferment. I use one of those clothes steamers you see in SkyMall. Just hook it up to my bottom dump and as per my thermowell, the whole thing gets up to 212. I don't care what kind of welds or threads you have then, you'll be fine. I know it's overkill, but I'm surprised that more people don't do this and also worry about contamination.

Least expensive CIP 'revolving' sprayball I've found: $50 - McMaster part 71445T84. You can't use a wimpy pump with the CIP's. They take some ummph for it to be worth it.


(FYI, if you look into this, don't be fooled by the pipe connection, it's british standard and it will seal on 1/2" NPT with a little bit more teflon tape... Other people sell this same one for more money and call it NPT).

I picked up one of these rotating spray balls, thanks for posting about it. I'm using a 1/6 HP pump and it seems to do the job. I wouldn't hesitate to get at least a 1/3 HP pump. Easily adaptable to a conical CIP system.

 

[SankePankey]

I'd say that's doing the job extremely well. I don't get near that kind of action out of my 1/25 hp LG 2-MD-HC wort pump, but it's good enough for Jazz.

 

[dstar26t]

The video makes it look like it's spraying harder than it is. I can see a 1/3 hp pump working like the video makes it look.

 

[ocluke]

The video makes it look like it's spraying harder than it is. I can see a 1/3 hp pump working like the video makes it look.

I am emulating your design somewhat and will be using the same plastic CIP nozzle from McMaster-Carr. I stumbled across an interesting article from a professor who built a CIP system for the food services industry with the same nozzle. I emailed him with some questions about its performance. He was kind enough to give a thorough and helpful response. One highlight from the email was with respect to the 1/3 HP pump I am using (and its insufficient PSI).

"Based on the data given in McMaster, the pump must supply at least 4.5 gpm at 20 psi. Other possibilities given are 6.3 gpm at 40 psi, and 7.8 gpm at 60 psi. The higher the pressure, the more effective the cleaning action (from water-jet impingement). I went to the Superior Pump Company web site (www.superiorpumpco.com) and found a pump curve for a similar (not the exact same) pump at Superior Pump 92330 1/3 hp sump pump according to the given pump curve, the maximum pressure the pump can provide is 10 psi (or 25 feet of water, as shown on the curve). Not nearly enough. Another potential issue with this pump is temperature. It may not be able to handle hot water. You might be able to use the sump pump in conjunction with a booster pump, like this one from Northern Tool (Wayne Stainless Steel Sprinkler Booster Pump — 720 GPH, 1 HP, 1in., Model# PLS100 | Booster + Sprinkler Pumps | Northern Tool + Equipment)."

I've read several posts where the GPM and HP of various pumps are discussed, but very little about PSI. It would seem that PSI is an important factor for these CIP balls/nozzles, considering that is the only thing that is given in terms of a rating for them.

What do you guys think?

 

[Bokonon]

I am emulating your design somewhat and will be using the same plastic CIP nozzle from McMaster-Carr. I stumbled across an interesting article from a professor who built a CIP system for the food services industry with the same nozzle. I emailed him with some questions about its performance. He was kind enough to give a thorough and helpful response. One highlight from the email was with respect to the 1/3 HP pump I am using (and its insufficient PSI).

"Based on the data given in McMaster, the pump must supply at least 4.5 gpm at 20 psi. Other possibilities given are 6.3 gpm at 40 psi, and 7.8 gpm at 60 psi. The higher the pressure, the more effective the cleaning action (from water-jet impingement). I went to the Superior Pump Company web site (www.superiorpumpco.com) and found a pump curve for a similar (not the exact same) pump at Superior Pump 92330 1/3 hp sump pump according to the given pump curve, the maximum pressure the pump can provide is 10 psi (or 25 feet of water, as shown on the curve). Not nearly enough. Another potential issue with this pump is temperature. It may not be able to handle hot water. You might be able to use the sump pump in conjunction with a booster pump, like this one from Northern Tool (Wayne Stainless Steel Sprinkler Booster Pump — 720 GPH, 1 HP, 1in., Model# PLS100 | Booster + Sprinkler Pumps | Northern Tool + Equipment)."

I've read several posts where the GPM and HP of various pumps are discussed, but very little about PSI. It would seem that PSI is an important factor for these CIP balls/nozzles, considering that is the only thing that is given in terms of a rating for them.

What do you guys think?

Did you end up getting that Wayne pump? That is one I've been looking at and it seems ideal for my uses as long as it can stand up to the heat and chemicals. The manual definitely says no chemicals but so does pretty much any other pump that a homebrewer could afford.

 

[Bokonon]

Did you end up getting that Wayne pump? That is one I've been looking at and it seems ideal for my uses as long as it can stand up to the heat and chemicals. The manual definitely says no chemicals but so does pretty much any other pump that a homebrewer could afford.

Just wanted to throw this info out here for anyone else searching about the Wayne PLS100 pump. I asked the company about temperature and restricting the input/output to 1/2" tubing.

Here is their response:

The pump could work with water up to 120Degrees Fahrenheit.

The greatly restricted ½” suction you propose will probably cause damaging cavitation and at a minimum restrict the output of the pump. I suggest you try to use 1” intake pipe or hose.