Therminator question

[rickprice407]

Although the therminator isn't per se electric, it is part of my electric brewery. I'm wanting to improve my consistency and lower the output temp of my wort from the Therminator. Currently I use a 5/8" hose pipe from a faucet running water from a 300' well through the Therminator to another hose that empties into the sink. Output temp is running around 70 degrees. This temp varies with the season of course and I'd like to pitch in the low 60s. Currently we go to the carboys, aerate the wort and then let them sit overnight with locks on them as they cool. Next morning I pitch, reset the fermenter temp controls and walk away. My results are good but i don't like just letting it sit there.

I'm thinking about using a 20 gallon tub I have with 15 gallons of chilled water at maybe 36 degrees with a couple of bags of ice in it for a water source and using a submersible pump into a hose and circulating it. Takes about 10 - 15 mins tops to dump the Wort from the Braumeister (10 gallon batch) into the carboys so this should be plenty of ice water.

My question is: Does anyone have any idea as to what the max flow rate through the Therminator is? I can get pumps running from 110 to 1600 GPH for under $100 and that use a 3/4" ID tube or water hose. I don't want to go too high and put back pressure on the pump or burst a hose but I also want the max flow rate I can get into cooling. I can use a 3/4" ball valve in the line to fine tune the temp.

Any help or experiences would be appreciated.

Rick near Atlanta

 

[carlisle_bob]

Hi

Blichmann is pretty good at getting back to you via email quickly. I'd ask them if there's a limit on the gizmo. I suspect it's good to 100 psi, but who knows...

Based on their published data, I don't think there is a benifit from anythng much over about 5 gpm / 300 gph. At that rate you will move the entire tub of water in 3 minutes (assuming the 15 gallons is all water - it's probaby mostly ice at the start).

Bob

 

[Misplaced_Canuck]

Personally, I'd think it would be easier to move wort through a secondary chiller, and have that coil immersed in ice water...

MC

 

[rickprice407]

I might have thought that until I saw a therminator in action. The thing is smaller than a brick and takes boiling wort to 70 degrees at around a gallon per minute using water from my well. For the size, convenience and performance, a pump seems like the easiest way to do it. Mainly I don't want to burst a hose or create a lot of back pressure on the pump.