On Tue, 19 Dec 2000 05:12:14 +1300 "DAVID REID" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Wrote >John, > Will probably work well on this size column. A few words of advice >though and a few questions. Dont expect a long life out of the cores so dont >spend a lot of money on them. I say this from experience as owning a number >of old cars over the years and recoring the radiators because most of the >motors have not been too brilliant and tend to run too hot, have found the >recored radiators do not last too long with constant heat changes. Also >modern cores arnt as good as older ones as everything is now made to a price >and they arnt designed to last. >If using pressure to clean these out use very low pressure or you will >damage them and bend and distort the fins closing some of them up, and >quickly causing channeling. >Make sure you use insulation on the column at least. Good solid rubber >underlay fixed with masking tape and/or danband (blue nylon strapping) and >appropriate buckles pulled up tight do a good job and are cheap >Rod through the centre and perforated plate washers (Approx 1/4" holes >covering at least 1/3 of the area)at either end will help tremendously. Use >threaded rod and put a nut either side of washer plate. >Look through yellow pages and find radiator manufacturers and give them a >call to source radiator core material. Try to use as good a core material as >you can easily and cheaply get. Maybe you can even obtain new damaged cores >to cut the rounds out of. (Will definitely last longer). Old ones are on the >way out due to metal fatigue due to continuous temperature changes. >Also try Holden as a likely source. Ring around the radiator rebuilders as a >last resort >Column should be at least 6' (72" or 1830mm) long minimum and preferably at >least 9' (108" or 2750mm). A good rule of thumb and one the old timers used >to use was 20 times the diameter for the length.( = approx 120" or say 3 M). >Even at 15 times this equals 7'-4" (88" or say 2250mm). >I dont know about your 10 x 2" This only equals 20" . More like 40 required >I think although you may be able to cut the length and number down. >Personally I wouldnt go below the 15 x figure for the length. Again as I >said above make sure you insulate the column properly. A double layer will >work even better minimising heat energy losses. The first layer insulates >and holds the heat, the second stops it radiating it out >How are you intending to heat the still by the way, electricity, gas, waste >oil or wood? This is critical as it is this cost that will quickly >determine wether the project is a success or failure. Also what are you >using for your fermentation stock? >I can probably sell you a very good, precise, and accurate controller >shortly (probably about 5 to 6 weeks away) if you need one at realistic cost >which we have just finished the design of for my own stills that I intend to >put out shortly. (just in process of finishing and testing prototype). >Good luck with your efforts . Again as previously mentioned I would use >laser cutting for your discs. These are expensive machines so the price is >likely to be expensive but it is the only thing that will do a good job. Do >yourself a favour and ring around. Explain what you are trying to do and who >knows at this time of year you might find someone who catches the xmas >spirit and is prepared to help. If you need more help please ask. >B.r., David
Thanks once again David for advice. Am in the recycling game so have a ready supply of near new radiators albeit slightly bent. Which first started me thinking along these lines. Cant yet find a laser cutter in Perth but there must be one here somewhere. Heat for the still will be from a heatpump driven by a 10 horse honda motor running on biogas.will be very much a trial and error affair but should work OK. Have all the control gear as long as my programming for the PLC holds up Its interesting writing programs when you are not sure what you want to achieve!! The most readily available form of fermentation stock here is cereal grains which I will fall back on If I cant get a consistant supply of household biodegradeables that I can find a treatment for. The other thing here at this time of year is acres of paddy melons (Cucurbitaceae,Citrullus,lanatus)which are inedible (or at least very bitter) melons about 75 to 100mm diameter. will have to run a batch through the hammer mill and see if they ferment. Have looked at the Ag sites that I can find and can't find a guide to sugar content or type in the melons. Guess if I get a packet of the yeast for watermelon wine It should work. Thanks once again for the input Regards John -------------------------- eGroups Sponsor -------------------------~-~> eLerts It's Easy. It's Fun. Best of All, it's Free! http://click.egroups.com/1/9699/0/_/837408/_/977238208/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------_-> Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html To unsubscribe, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
