heat exchanger preheater

[stoneslabs]

Hi all, I am in the process of adding a hood and preheater to my 30" x 4' sap pan. if I put this on top and build a stack for it, do you think it would work better than just 3/4" copper pipe preheater?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160734595940?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2F i.html%3F_from%3DR40%26ghostText%3D%26_sacat%3D0%2 6_nkw%3D160734595940%26_rdc%3D1

[psparr]

I have thought about that route as well. The only thing I don't see in the listing, is it doesn't say it's for potable water. Might have lead solder.

[BreezyHill]

Just a hood over the pan will gain you efficiency in boiling as you afe holding in the heat like a top on a boiling pot.

On mine the steam is sent thru a duct that has a SS pipe to preheat the sap. Had to rebuild the preheater as the copper pipe inside it finally started leaking after 20 years of use.

Many said that the SS would not get enough heat into the sap but I am still get sap at 185-190 at the float box.

1083610837

The dark wood was the old duct and the white is the refurbed unit. has a 6" stack off the top that goes up 10 feet and out of the sugar house.

/All condensation is out of the flue pan so drips are not an issue. There is a lot of condensation out of the duct box. in the area of 5-7 gallons an hour easily.

[stoneslabs]

I have thought about that route as well. The only thing I don't see in the listing, is it doesn't say it's for potable water. Might have lead solder.

here is the reply I got from the manufacturer when I asked if they used lead free solder and if it was potable water safe... could it be more efficient than having 10 36" X 3/4" copper pipes? the cost to me will be about the same but less work to fabricate and mount.



Yes we use lead free solder so this can be used in potable water.


Kind Regards,
Andy

Outdoor Furnace Supply