Mechengineer_81

On 4/10/2021 at 11:27 AM, Golden Beaver Distillery said:

Stacking the next row next week.

 

out of curiosity how do you get the second row barrels to the back? two long 4x4's and roll them in? 

also was there any venting requirements needed?

another option if you want to be green is look into a co-gen type of facility. Sierra Nevada Brewery in Chico has micro turbines that produce electricity from bio gas (they have their own digester) or NG via the micro turbine then used the exhaust waste heat to have a supply of steam and hot water for the brewery. obviously there scale was a lot larger than yours but the equipment was very scaleable. the project would not have had a good ROI except there were some tax credits and incentives that helped make it favorable. 

When i worked for a process mechanical contractor we did a lot of equipment anchoring in many different jurisdictions. Everyone was different based on seismic zone, and the local jurisdiction requirements. I highly suggest using stainless anchors in a wash-down environment to avoid rust stains around the bases of your shiny stainless. the rule of thumb i was told by one structural engineer was that any stationary equipment with a center of gravity over 4 feet and 400 pounds should be anchored. this is probably worst case, as California and Alaska are the two worst states i have worked in for anchorage requirements. Also, Stationary is a key word as well. I have seen a lot of larger equipment such as CIP skids and pachaging equipment not be anchored if it was supplied with wheels or was listed as mobile equipment. 

I have seen a lot of variance in anchorage specifications based on the PE stamping the design. Some are very cautious and some are less cautious. I suggest making sure your structural engineer is very comfortable with anchorages of the type of equipment as a over cautious structural engineer can have a huge impact on the cost of that anchorage.

Most jurisdictions will also be OK with the manufacturers recommendation on anchorage as well in lieu of having a stamping structural engineer calculate if you can get the manufacturer to supply the anchorage detail. I always told clients to try and get the equipment manufacturer to supply the anchorage details as it was usually cheaper than hiring a PE to calc locally. I ran into this with some Italian brewing equipment that came with anchorage details. 

most permitted anchorages have some sort of inspection, either active while anchoring for epoxy type anchors or after the fact torque tests from mechanical type anchors.

Self performed work is usually less scrutinized than contractor performed work.

PM me if you have any really specific questions. I have installed equipment in about 6 different states so far and they are al differing on their procedures.

Subscribed. I too am planning a small farm distillery in Washington. I am in the Yakima area and zoned Agricultural.

Welcome! 

Thanks Alex, I figured the continuous column in my desired flow rates would be a fully custom design. I am assuming it will be using parts i specify from different locations. I will definitely share my adventures once they get moving. 

Thanks Alex. 
I am still working on those details but I will probably buy a small ready made unit to get started and then come up with an expansion plan consisting of some home built equipment and purchased components that are just not cost effective for me to produce. I am working with a greenfield project so I plan on sizing the building to have space for growth and space for additions in the future for additional growth. I really like the idea of using a stripping still and polishing still for maximizing output with minimal labor. I am also a big believer in data logging and automation to help with labor requirements and being able to run the equipment in a very consistent repeatable manner. In my previous experience I have done some work with continuous stripping stills and vacuum distillation for the separations of cannabanoids and I would love to dive into using that technology for beverage production down the road but I don’t think it is feasible for me at time of startup. I plan on starting up as a one man operation, so it will be a lot of boot strapping. Lucky for me I am also a decent tig welder and fabricator so I am capable of a lot but it all comes down to time and opportunity cost. 

Hello all!

My name is Ryan and I have been lurking for a long time and I thought It was time to finally said hello.

I am a Mechanical Engineer by training and for the last eight years my specialty has been food and beverage process integration and design. The majority of my experience has been in the craft brewing industry. 

I am currently living in Naches Wa, just outside Yakima right in the heart of Washington's apple region and have 10 acres of property right along Hwy 12.

I am currently doing my due diligence into opening a small craft distillery on the highway frontage of my agricultural property, focused on making new and exciting things out of the abundance of apples grown near me.

Thanks to all who have contributed to this forum. It is truly a wealth of knowldge.

Ryan