Double pipe counterflow chiller length

[doublehaul]

I was going to build something like below, but with 1/2" inner copper tube, and 3/4" outer copper tube. Will 10' be enough length? I was thinking like 4 2.25 foot "runs". I do have cold groundwater.

http://byo.com/component/k2/item/2849-double-pipe-wort-chiller-projects

 

[Bobby_M]

Why use copper for the exterior? If you were going to polish it up to a mirror shine and clearcoat it... ok, I get it. Or maybe you were hoping to use the coolant output water for a back to back batch? In any case, you'll get a lot better efficiency out of 20' of contact length. One way to get a ton more run out of it while reducing footprint is to make it as a tower like a bundle of four tubes in a tight square pattern.

 

[doublehaul]

Well, I was actually modeling it after this similar version:

http://jadedbrewing.com/products/jaded-counterflow-chiller-cfc

And I have shopped all the parts. I guess I could do the pvc version too, I just need to see how much it would cost. I was also thinking of replacing the outer tube with hose

 

[Bobby_M]

Before I decided I was going to be moving from this house, I planned to make one with four 10' lengths of 1/2" stainless tube with a polycarbonate jacket just because I thought it would be fun to watch the water. I was going to mount the thing to the garage wall. Copper is so expensive these days that the outer jacket could only be justified as a showpiece than any real function.

 

[doublehaul]

that would be cool - where would you get the straight 10' lengths of stainless?

 

[Bobby_M]

I have a local supplier for stainless tubing (I can actually get them in 20') but I'd imagine 10' would be expensive to ship.

 

[doublehaul]

one reason I would use copper is I can get a nice fit. I tried to figure out how to do this with an outer tube of PEX, but couldn't. I also can't find those plastic compression fittings for PVC. PEX would be better because it's less bulky.