glycol cooling systems

[mattabv]

A general question for all you out there using glycol cooling systems on your mash vessels and fermenting cooling jackets in lieu of water? Can anyone direct me to what you feel is the best equipment to use and the manufacturer? Are you glad to have gone this route? Thanks Matt

[MG Thermal Consulting]

Like many things, it's familiarity with processes and the equipment offered.

I have been in the application and sales of package chillers for over 30 years and sometimes it just comes to nuances in the equipment (and cost, of course).

Many times, the glycol is used as a freeze protection, but any chilling done to water with shell and tube or plate evaporators normally need glycol to prevent internal damage to tubes/plates from refrigerant temperatures being close (or at freezing).

For cold filtration, glycol is needed to suppress the freeze point to get the cooling solution below freezing.

These days, with accelerated cost of city water, the closed loop water (or glycol/water) system pays for itself in quicker response times, water cost savings, and the ability to operate at consistent temperatures all year round.

The first cost of equipment is balanced by the water and sewer costs that accelerate as distilleries become more profitable and want to expand.

Many areas in the Southern US simply become unmanageable to be able to cool mash when city water temps rise to 80F and higher.

Like many things, the budget needs to take this into consideration.

The jacketed tank works fine for fermentation temp control, but cannot cool mash fast enough in most cases, which is why the separate mash exchanger is used ( sometimes used equipment is purchased incomplete as well, not knowing what the extra heat exchanger was for).

[Roger]

Probrewer.com has a decent forum on chilling and refrigeration. Perhaps post your questions there for more specific info.

[mattabv]

Thanks Roger how goes? Getting close? Real close I hope. I guess the real question is really not the specifics, I understand and heading in that direction. What I am really asking for is, If you incorporate this system in your process are you happy with it? Does it Perform as expected? and are you happy with the results/ if so, by polling my ADI brothers, do you have a recommendation and or opinion as to what and who's would you recommend. Hope all is well with ya'll and will be seeing you soon. Thanks Matt

[JohninWV]

MG thermal is a smart guy and can do well for you, I'm sure.

We use G&D chiller and they have been very good to us. We had a few issues during a storm and they got us back up and running the next day....and I never saw a bill. Top notch customer service, IMO.

[Roger]

Hey Matt. Didnt notice it was you when I posted. I went to the probrewer site when I read your original post, and liked what some of the people had to say, especially the simple concept of setting the chiller higher, to allow it to essentially gravity feed the system with little or no pressure.

We are getting closer should be ready in 45 days. Will talk to you as we get close about helping with the initial batches

Thanks

Roger

[mattabv]

Roger, Thanks Checked it out.Great info. We have site approval and a building ready to go, working on mechanicals now. Hopefully ordering equipment this week. Going to be pretty much state of the art facility. Looking to drop by soon and chat. And Mike, Thanks for your imput I appreciate this.John, thanks also. Anyone else have good experiences with glycol. Matt

[nabtastic]

this may be a silly question, but what variety (?) of glycol is used for coolant or does it matter? We are looking into a chiller/closed loop but I'm also interested in a (separate) water bath/bane marie still.

Also, good luck Matt!