StillSmart

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2016-03-25T04:32:14+00:00

Its just a keg varient of an electric hot water boiler with a concealed element. Much better if you add the sort of controllers we tend to use.

Standard hob controllers just switch on/off with a timer, so the hob or boiler, cycles between full on and off.

Even the simplest controlers that folks might build are more sophisticated, and truly variable, than that. If you wish to get even more complicated, then that seems to get easier every day.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Fri Mar 25, 2016 4:32 am

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2016-03-25T00:51:21+00:00

An interesting idea Myles, not that I wish to use one personally, I am happy with my boiler, but I can see it being far easier to clean than an element in a keg.
Even easier if the top of the keg is removed completely.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Fri Mar 25, 2016 12:51 am

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2016-03-24T09:32:03+00:00

It is OK on 4 mm CSA cable, especially if it is just pinned on, and not under plaster.
Even better on a cooker circuit though.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:32 am

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2016-03-24T09:23:09+00:00

I like your thinking. Much easier to control and less chance of scorching.

However I do fear for you ring main 5.7kw in too much.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Thu Mar 24, 2016 9:23 am

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2016-03-24T06:06:51+00:00

I am renewing this topic because I was thinking last night about forthcoming projects.

One of which is to turn one of my kegs into a boiler (HLT) for my beer / mashing process. In the past I have just heated the water in a keg over a propane burner.

However there has been so much activity in the T500 / small boiler sections recently I was thinking about the issue of the keg boilers.

Yes you can get element ports welded on, and yes you can do DIY element fixes as mentioned previously, but there is an alternative that does not get mentioned very often.

You can either build an electric hob, or mount electric cooker rings directly into the skirt of a keg. With a bit of insulation under the rings this does make an electric keg a much easier (although not quite as efficient) option than the immersion heater version.

You can get the cooker rings new from online stores, or if you are so inclined you can acquire used ones.

For a 100 litre keg you can fit three 7" x 1.8 kW rings for a total of 5.4kW
For the 50 and 30 litre kegs (same size lower chimb) you can fit three 6" x 1.1 kW rings for a total of 3.3 kW.

Add some rockwool insulation and you are good to go. There is even enough space available for a central keg drain.

keg hob.png

As I said this is not as energy efficient as the use of an electric immersion heater, but it is a lot easier for the self builder with minimal tooling available.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Thu Mar 24, 2016 6:06 am

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2013-06-03T20:05:52+00:00

I ordered from Odin.

3" x 36" of SPP with a plug of stainless scrubbers at each end, looks like it may be the standard for a vodka / neutral still in the future. Length for length 1" packed with SPP seems to be the equivalent of 3" packed with scrubbers.

I am trying pumice at the moment(because it is cheap) but might switch to SPP myself.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Mon Jun 03, 2013 8:05 pm

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2013-06-03T19:47:45+00:00

Odin is marketing the Polish stuff through Holland.

http://www.istill.eu/#!products/cb0m

The same page also has bulk supplies (10kG) of Jack Daniel wood blocks.

On my PC the website is very slow to load, be patient

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Mon Jun 03, 2013 7:47 pm

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2013-06-03T19:34:01+00:00

Where are you getting your SPP from as I think I should get some for my VM even though I rarely run it these days

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Mon Jun 03, 2013 7:34 pm

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2013-05-31T10:35:01+00:00

On my own column I have packed it with pumice gravel that I graded to be no more than about 10 mm chips. Not had a chance to run it yet.
If it works OK it is a light weight and cheap option. However I am using a 59" packed length of 3" tube.

I just ordered 5 litres of stainless SPP for a column I am building for someone. Quite expensive though, and I will probably get a 20% tax bill on top of that when it arrives.

However, the advantage is you can get away with a shorter packed length.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Fri May 31, 2013 10:35 am

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2013-05-31T09:59:46+00:00

Now that's what I call a brilliant post Myles.

Still got some stuff too sort out, but if it gets a keg boiler sorted, especially without having to cut the keg and use dog bowls or whatever, tben damn......

I was given a link over at MD for stainless structured packing to use in a column.......

So the idea at least, is pretty much in place.......I think my keg is 50 litres.

Statistics: Posted by Phantom — Fri May 31, 2013 9:59 am

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2013-05-31T07:48:42+00:00

OK I have been working out the options on paper.

30 litre keg. This is a great small boiler, perfect for a small packed vodka column in my view, as a run with a full 50 litre keg could take all day. If you just wish to spend a few hours doing a run the smaller boiler is good.

I think there is only 1 real effective option for an immersion element in this size. Fit two 15 mm tank connectors close to the bottom and a drain.

You would need to bend an element rod into a U shape, pass it down through the keg neck and take the ends out the two 15 mm tank connectors. Then use 15 to 8 mm internal reducers to fit an 8 mm compression olive onto the element rod ends. The 15 mm tank connectors will fit in through the tank neck. Same for the drain if you don't go too big.

50 litre keg. My choice for this would be to build an element into a 42 mm section of tube. I would fit a 1.5" Essex flange to the keg and screw a 1.5" male to 42mm compression adaptor into that. Then make my own re-useable element boss in a bit of 42 mm tube.

Its a bit like building a shotgun condenser. You solder a disc into the inside of the tube and solder two 8 mm compression fittings into the disc. (Drill out the end stops so the rod goes straight through) You would need a box spanner to tighten the compression nuts onto the element rod but that is no big deal. Use an end feed cap just silicone'd into place as the guard over the connections. I would put a cable gland in the cap.

EDIT:
self build element2.png

When you need to change element you undo the 42 mm compression and take the boss out of the keg. Undo the two 8 mm nuts, push the rod through and chop off the ends retaining the compression nuts. Bend and fit a new rod, add two new compression olives and tighten the nuts. Presto - element ready to be refitted to the keg.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Fri May 31, 2013 7:48 am

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2013-05-19T11:38:14+00:00

Sorry I should have mentioned this point so thanks for the reminder.

There are THREE different types of washers available for Essex Flanges.

WHITE RUBBER these are usually what comes in the box suitable for water to 60 degrees C
BLACK EPDM suitable up to 90 degrees C

and "SX" washers. These are a cork composite. Suitable to 120 degrees C and approved for Kerosene, Ethylene glycol, Aviation Fuel and Anti Freeze.

Should be more than adequate for use in the boiler, and these are the ones that I use on my 100 litre keg.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Sun May 19, 2013 11:38 am

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2013-05-19T10:26:05+00:00

Go raibh matih agat! (thank you in Irish)

Thankfully the forgetfulness of my advancing years means things like, whatever it was we were talking about, don't annoy me for long anymore

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Sun May 19, 2013 10:26 am

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2013-05-19T10:04:22+00:00

aidanmac wrote:
I wrote a reply to post here but when I clicked on "Submit" it just vanished so I'm not going to re-write all the that waffle.

What I was trying to say was that pictures of the components, the assembled parts, and the final assembly fitted to a keg, when you get yours done , would be great for a technical tit like me

What you're proposing would enable huge numbers of small distillers to move to larger boilers and better stills

Cutting edge stuff to be sure

AM

I've also had similar PEBDAC issues with posting Aidan. Missing posts have often been recovered with a judicious use of the browser "back" button then re-entered

Statistics: Posted by Phantom — Sun May 19, 2013 10:04 am

Re: UK keg boilers - self build

2013-05-19T10:00:42+00:00

I wrote a reply to post here but when I clicked on "Submit" it just vanished so I'm not going to re-write all the that waffle.

What I was trying to say was that pictures of the components, the assembled parts, and the final assembly fitted to a keg, when you get yours done , would be great for a technical tit like me

What you're proposing would enable huge numbers of small distillers to move to larger boilers and better stills

Cutting edge stuff to be sure

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Sun May 19, 2013 10:00 am