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TexasGrand

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    http://www.Michael-Glover.com

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    NE Texas

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  1. Gordon Sending you my email. In the still example it would take more than an hour to vaporize the ethanol so I just used 3 hours as an example. I divided the total "latent heat of vaporization" needed by 3 hours. The time it takes to run a full cycle is determined by the still, not the boiler. This is a simplified theoretical discussion and not an actual boiler sizing exercise. The example is for one evaporation/condensing cycle. If you had a column with 5 plates 100% efficient, you theoretically would need 5 times the latent heat because each plate would condense and then re-vaporize the ethanol/water vapor. Calculations get you in the ballpark, but you need to size a boiler on actual tests of the still or tests of a similar still. That information should come from the still manufacturer. I would like to put together a spreadsheet with the variables for boiler selection, but I need input from a knowledgeable still manufacturer. There may be software available, used by the petrochemical industry .
  2. I'm an ex mechanical contractor and have purchased and installed dozens of boilers. I'm also planning a distillery. Determine what size boiler you need. In round numbers: 1 BTU will heat 1 pound of water 1 degree F. 1 gallon of water or wash is about 8.35 pounds so you need 8.35 BTU for each gallon per degreeF. If you heat your wash from 50F to 172F you need (122 x 8.35) 1018 Btu per gallon. If you have a 150 gallon still, you need (150 x 1018) 152,805 BTU's output from your boiler, to heat the wash from 50F to 172F in one hour. This does not include heat losses to atmosphere from the still equipment. In addition to sensible heat you need latent heat to vaporize the ethanol. Latent heat of vaporization for ethanol is 364 BTU per pound. If your wash is 10% ethanol it will take (150 x .10 = 15 gallons) 15 gallons ethanol weighs (6.58 x 15 = 98.7) (98.7x 364) 35,926 BTU to vaporize the ethanol. If your cycle time is 3 hours you need (35,926/3) 11,975 BTUH for vaporization. Someone check my math. These are rough numbers that will put you in the ballpark. Add losses from the equipment and a safety factor. Surely still manufactures can give us BTU heat input to operate their equipment? If they can't i can measure and calculate the losses if I had access to an operating still or two. Write a boiler specification and put it out for bids. I would be happy to assist anyone or everyone by writing a standard specification for distillers to use when buying boilers. We would all benefit from a set of standard specifications to use when budgeting and purchasing all the equipment for a distillery. Anyone interested? I also have some friends that wholesale boilers that could offer input.
  3. Commercial water heaters (boilers) under 200,000 BTU input don't require an ASME stamp. Thats why you see banks of 199,000 BTU water heaters in commercial buildings or residences.
  4. NE Texas 100 miles east of Dallas. Welcome
  5. Violentblue You mentioned you might get me an invite to see your equipment in Dallas. Still interested. I am passing through San Antonio Tx on Tuesday and Thursday this week if you have any connections in that area? Thanks in advance, Mike
  6. I think it would be wise to bring in an experienced head distiller early in the planning process for a start-up. Probably should have an equity position in the business or at least some options based on performance. Any thoughts or interest? m@michael-glover.com
  7. We plan to start a distillery early 2013 in NE Texas. Please feel free to submit any equipment proposals or other suggestions. We are an open book. Especially interested in any input from spirits distributors or distillers interested in NE Texas. We also have a small vineyard we are expanding. Interested in Vodka, Wheat Whiskey and Grappa I have been involved is about a dozen business start-ups, some good, some bad. I think this will be fun and rewarding. 903 365 2315 m@michael-glover.com
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