New Evaporator - Ash door ideas

[Checker1965]

Building an arch from a 250 gal fuel oil tank. Would anyone mind posting some pictures of their ash doors, or ash collecting boxes? Looking for some ideas that would help with removing ash. Trying to figure out if having ash door under the main door or collecting ash under the fire box is the best option.
Thank you.

[mol1jb]

Is this build going to have AUF?

[maple flats]

My arch has a draft/ash clean out door, no ash container, it's just open under the grates. I only need to remove ash about every 50-60 hrs of boiling (which means I sometimes remove ash once mid season and again after the season, other time I only need to clean them out after the season.). I do however have high pressure AUF/AOF. At any rate, don't leave ashes in the bottom after the season is over. They will absorb moisture from the aair and then they will eat into the steel.

[Checker1965]

I am considering an AUF. My brother gave me a four inch black pipe, hope it’s not too large, so reading what Maple Flats has, just a door, that’s probably a better option.
Thank you

[Cjadamec]

4" pipe for the AUF should be big enough for a oil tank evap provided you have a decent blower. Without a blower you will struggle to get enough natural draft.

I didn't add an ash door to mine. I just clean it out through the fire box door. With AUF and or AOF you will find the ash takes a long time to build up.

[maple flats]

I suggest you weld the end shut on the inside, then make a hole at the very bottom of the tank with a good fit, but don't weld it in place. Then drill about 3/4" holes down the pipe in 3 rows, about every 2.5-3", one top center, and one facing the outer edges of the grate on each side. That is for a squirrel cage type blower, if you have a high pressure blower, only drill 5/16" holes, use the same spacing. The plug welded inside the end is so you can remove the pipe for better cleaning after the season.
4" is plenty, my 3x8 evaporator has a 4" 16 ga galvanized air tube (using a high pressure blower).

[Checker1965]

I seen this blower online. Even though I have the 4 in pipe, was considering the 6 inch blower, just get a reducer.
https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Inline-Variable-Controller-Ventilation/dp/B01DXYMJ94/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=VIVOSUN+6+Inch+390+CFM+Inline+ Duct+Fan+with+Variable+Speed+Controller+HVAC+Blowe r+for+Ventilation&qid=1571682077&sr=8-1

[Cjadamec]

You are looking for a blower with an impeller or squirrel cage design. The one you linked to is a fan and it won't have the performance you are looking for.

[maple flats]

An inline duct fan will not do well at all, wrong type of fan.

[maple flats]

If price is the concern, look for a discarded furnace blower as people get a new furnace. This time of year if you keep your eyes open you will see such blowers set out on trash day. stop and get it. The type I refer to are belt driven, then just experiment with pulley size. If it blows too hard, just add an adjustable inlet to regulate the air. Over the years I've gotten 3 or 4 such blowers, unfortunately I have given them all away.
The 390 cfm figure you see on the blower you referenced is misleading. A booster for in-line ducts has help from the furnace blower, it will not move 390 cfm by itself.

[tcross]

if you're looking to buy a blower, i used this exact blower for 5 years. it worked flawlessly for my 4' evaporator but i sold it with my evaporator a few weeks ago. had it hooked up to a 3" duct pipe into the arch. 3 speeds, think the highest is about 300-325 cfm.

https://www.amazon.com/STANLEY-655704-Velocity-Blower-Built/dp/B006O6FA22/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?keywords=dalton+stanley+blower&qid=1571756286&sr=8-1-fkmr0

[Checker1965]

Thank you the fan suggestions! Good thing I asked!