mendodistilling Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 I'm about to order a reaction tank to cook grains/corn and mix up sugar, etc. Its got a bottom agitator, 2" outlet, and a top manway, co2 port, and cip port, maybe a temp gauge. What else can you think of that could be beneficial? Its steam jacketed. The idea was to set this up for corn mashing and grain and anything else, mild heating of sugar and honey, but without the need for having a brewery right away. Its something I want but this is going to be the best way for me right now. Any input on things you've experienced. It is a gear driven impeller and I'm working on figuring out an air drive system or getting the motor mount made universal so I can get motors here, the company doesn't make them with UL approval. I know my local gov't will probably not let that fly so I'm looking into ideas like pneumatic and locally sources motors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fldme Posted August 21, 2013 Share Posted August 21, 2013 You will need cooling coils. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG Thermal Consulting Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 And if you put a jacket on the tank, at least have it rated for 35 psig. You have a problem with cooling water flow (closed loop) when you try to set up a cooling system when the tank jacket is only good for 15 psi (used for steam heat on the front end). You wind up putting some expensive valves to ensure pressure from pump not bursting the jacket and still getting flow you need for cooling, especially if you have to get a modulating 3- way bypass valve, a bypass line, check valve and control for the 3 way valve. This can be an issue on mash tanks when you are told you can crash cool by pumping chilled water through the jacket after heating. Everyone should be well advised to find out what the capacity of the jacket (by experimenting if necessary) is for the jacket when pumping chilled water through it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mendodistilling Posted August 22, 2013 Author Share Posted August 22, 2013 yes, internal coils are in the design. does a vortex build from the mixer spinning? ive been told that a 5% offset of the motor mount can keep this from becoming a problem. that is what i asked for in the design. id like to be able to cook sugar, corn, and grains. i'd like to also be ablemto use this as a raw grain cooker for using unmalted products in beer recipes in the brewery. mainly lager beers or rice, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mendodistilling Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 does anyone have any experience with using a mash cooker/reaction tank design with a bottom mounted agitator and did you have any trouble with sugar. i requested the 35 psi rating, thanks! we'll see what the feedback is from mfg. co. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mendodistilling Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 MG, if the tank has internal coils like the vendome mash cook, would you need the valves you speak of or can you just pump cool water throight it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MG Thermal Consulting Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 I'm only talking about the dimpled jacket that is attached to the outside of the unit. Internal coils are rated higher according to the pressure rating of the tubing, which is higher that jackets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mendodistilling Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 Oh, wonderful. yes, I've heard of people flushing cold water through the dimple jacket and causing the metal to tear apart from temp stress. this is essentially a tank, steam jacket, internal coils so I can process grains, sugar or corn mashes since corn seems to be a viscous bastard. i'm wondering about direct injection steam for potatoes but i'm not gonna get carried away, haha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mendodistilling Posted August 23, 2013 Author Share Posted August 23, 2013 who can you hire to draw up a schematic to have a mfg overseas build? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dehner Distillery Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Send me a drawing and ill look at building the tank for you! Jolede029@yahoo.com I'm starting to build still and other parts for people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dehner Distillery Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 Made in America!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fldme Posted August 23, 2013 Share Posted August 23, 2013 In my experience you want some vortex to draw the grain into the mash. Internal coils for coiling and direct injection is the best way. If you have high pressure steam, a jet cooker is best for corn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick jones Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 I'm about to order a reaction tank... Its got a 2" outlet... Any input on things you've experienced... While there may be one or two occasions where your 2" outlet won't be big enough, a 3" outlet will never disappoint. I'd recommend having the tank manufactured with a 3" outlet, then reducing that down to 2" with a fitting, if desired. That way, if worse comes to worse for whatever reason, all you've got to do is remove a fitting and you're rocking 3". Cutting into a finished tank to change a 2" outlet to a 3" outlet, on the other hand, is so much of a pain in the ass you probably wouldn't even consider attempting it. I'd look at a 3" outlet (even if you never actually end up using it) as cheap insurance that the outlet will never give you any problems. Nick P.S. Come to think of it, if you ever wanted to pasteurize a bunch of crushed fruit or something like that, you may want to go as high as 6" and adapt down. One never knows what the future will bring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mendodistilling Posted August 24, 2013 Author Share Posted August 24, 2013 I'm considering getting a voran system for thr fruit so that won't be an issue for this tank. good call on the outlet size input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fldme Posted August 24, 2013 Share Posted August 24, 2013 If you are crushing fruit, any drain will plug, put an air line in the drain pipe so you can blow the plug out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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