Need some advice with the condenser portion

[davisdesigns]

This is going to be used to distill water either from steam or vapor 150F- 212F whatever is the most efficient.

Just interested in best most efficient method using this cooler, primarily the condensation portion of the design.

If anyone has alternate suggestions, your opinion is appreciated.


Thank you

[YHB]

The condenser should be designed to cope with the maximum amount of vapour or steam that the system can produce, in this case with your thermostat set to the maximum setting that you quote of 212 degF it will produce boiling water and steam.

How much steam the condenser will have to cope with will depend on the capacity of the heating element. How many watts is the element in the machine rated at?

You state that there is a refrigeration system built into the machine that is adjustable between 35 and 54deg F. These figures and the cooling capacity will be designed to cool water from room temperature to the figures quoted, to expect the system to suddenly cope with the additional heat from steam is probably expecting a bit much, I would think an additional external supply of coolant will be required.

I would advise anyone reading this post and gets the impression that this would be a good method of distilling alcohol to think again. With the information given this device would not be suitable and potentially dangerous.

[davisdesigns]

28.5 ohm @ 120v about 500w / 4A
it should heat about 1L @ 40*F tap water to 212*F in 14min.
I think reality is more like 10 min.

Cold water averages 0.9 gal of 50°F per hour no data for incoming water temp, assume room temp 75*F

Hot water averages about 2 gal of 185°F per hour again assume room temp 75*F

I have no intentions of using this for alcohol just drinking water.

I'm just looking for the best method of condensing the steam or vapor

I would think "method 1" would have more chilled surface area but decreased as distilled water accumulated but also retain the cold and fluctuate less as the volume increased?

Whereas "Method 2" would maintain a more consistent cooling rate.


What is more efficient condensing 1L of water vapor over a longer period of time (less power to heat but on longer) or condensing steam in a shorter time (more watts in a shorter time)?

Method 1 may work more efficient with Vapor where as method 2 may work efficient steam or the other way around? I'm open for Method 3 if anyone has one.

[davisdesigns]

Sorry couldn't figure out how to post pic's here...I give up, PDF posted above is legible

Here is the unit http://www.kegerator.com/clover-b7a-energy-star-hot-%26-cold-water-cooler-b7a-black/B7A-BLACK.html?mtcpromotion=PLA%3EBarware_and_Accessories%3EWater_Coolers%3EB7A%3EBLACK&src=SHOPPING&gclid=CPWJsJzFqbgCFY9eQgodVAkAJQ

[YHB]

I may be wrong but;

I do not think your type one system would work very well. Putting a steam supply into a vessel will pressurise it before a lot of the steam has touched a cold surface. Consequently the steam would be forced out of the vessel through the vent, no different to an electric kettle boiling. Close the vent and you have a bomb.

With regard to efficiencies the other variable is what temperature do you you want the distillate to be. My feeling is that the condenser you are proposing in your type 2 system would be undersized due to the space available in the tank.

Have a look at this link where there is a calculator for establishing size and flow rates for condensers.

http://homedistiller.org/calcs/cond_calc