Another Barrel (drum) Evaporator project

[82cabby]

Inspired by Dennis H and his thread:

http://mapletrader.com/community/showthread.php?t=3402

I decided to make a barrel evaporator. I thought I would post a few pictures...

Like the geek that I am I had to make a partial CAD model first...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/assemblylatest.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/assemblylatestexploded.jpg

I ordered this barrel stove kit to get the door and collar for the flue:
http://www.northlineexpress.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=5VZ-BK150E

I measured and cut the barrel:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030369.jpg

......

[82cabby]

Welded up the support tray that holds up the fire grate and most of the fire brick. I went with full size brick since I was able to get it for free...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030373.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030374.jpg

I added the front support for the shelf
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030375.jpg

Welded up the upper frame
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030376.jpg

[82cabby]

Next the upper frame and the front and back fill pieces were tacked in.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030386.jpg

Then the sides and the corner supports.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030389.jpg


...

[82cabby]

I know I want to eventually have a blower, so it has to be plumbed now. Turns out a 2 1/2 inch black iron pipe treads right into the bung on the drum. After some experimenting in the hardware store I found that the OUTER diameter of a 2 1/2 inch coupling fitting is the same as the INNER diameter of 3 inch duct pipe. I was able to thread the pipe far enough in from the inside that I could screw on an elbow from the outside. For now it can work on convection, but eventually I will hook up a blower.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030385.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030384.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030514.jpg

With that done, I added the dividing wall and the shelf. I know there are a lot of seams but I was on a tight budget, so it made sense to use as many scraps as possible.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030486.jpg

[82cabby]

Next I welded up the fire grate. I almost forget to leave room for where the bolts stick through from the door frame!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030488.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030489.jpg

A test fit of the fire brick
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030513.jpg

[82cabby]

After some debate (thanks everyone for helping me figure this out!) I decided to make an 'adapter plate' that would allow the warming trays I'm using to sit down into the fire chamber about an inch or two. Next year - custom stainless tray!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030512.jpg
here's what they look like from underneath
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030509.jpg

and the finished product!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/dkutina/Maple%20Evaporator/P1030503.jpg

[Clan Delaney]

I think I just wiped a tear from my eye. That's a beauty. **** I wish I'd learned to weld!

[82cabby]

Thanks man! I learned to weld by taking an autobody class at night at the local vocational high school about 4 years ago. It was pretty cool. Got to do a lot of rust repair on my car too!

[cheesegenie]

Very good job. A lot of work and waking up in the night thinking about it. I know.

[RI syrup]

im relatively new to making syrup and was looking to make something similar to what you have made; i was wondering if the back pan was used for preheating because of the lack of burner space underneath. thanks

Rob

[danno]

Excellent craftsmanship. She's just crying for the blower - now make her happy and add one. Should be able to find one used on the cheap. I called a guy who does occasional HVAC work at my home, and he was more then happy to drop off a free furnace blower that he had pulled out of an old unit. I thanked him with a couple quarts of syrup. Might be too big for your needs, but you should be able to find something ...

[NH Maplemaker]

82cabby, I noticed that in your cad pictures you have bricks on edge, But in the evaporator they are flat and wider! Don't you think you would get a better boil with the bigger fire box? It is a great job!! Looks Great!! It was just a thought! Good luck and have fun with it.

Jim L.

[82cabby]

82cabby, I noticed that in your cad pictures you have bricks on edge, But in the evaporator they are flat and wider! Don't you think you would get a better boil with the bigger fire box?

Jim L.

True, good call Jim! What happened with that is this, the first two levels in the fire box are vertical. The next is horizontal to keep level with the shelf. The top row will fit vertically and thats the way it will be when I have a full size pan. With the trays I am going to use, since they are set down into the firebox they were hitting the bricks so I turned them sideways to get a little room. I can't wait to get a real pan.

"im relatively new to making syrup and was looking to make something similar to what you have made; i was wondering if the back pan was used for preheating because of the lack of burner space underneath. thanks

Rob"


Rob - I am thinking that both pans will boil. The hot flue gasses passing underneath the second tray should get it going. Still working on some kind of pre heater though....

I am thinking about a blower. Anyone have any idea about CFM for an evaporator this size?


Dave

[RileySugarbush]

About 100 CFM should do it. Try a cheap electric leaf blower first if you want to see what the difference a blower can make.

[82cabby]

I have one kicking around. I can't dedicate it to the evaporator, but I will try it out and see.

[Haynes Forest Products]

Ebay has some small cage blower off Jenn-airs and they are cheap go to ..........air blowers then search Jenn-air

[NH Maplemaker]

I wonder if a hot tub blower would work for a small evaporator ? They can be found at hot tub repair shop. They some time take old tub in trades and strip them and save certain parts. Be worth a try!

Jim L.

[valleyman]

I just checked out your barrel project. Awesome! I have those same pans I used this year and I plan on making a barrel evaporator this year. Do you happen to have actual measurements? I know that's asking a lot. If you can't get hem to me, I can get close with all those great pics you posted. Thanks for sharing your idea. I'm going to be close to 30 taps this season. My family thinks I'm nuts, but I cant wait.

I'm getting a sore neck looking up into the tree canapies in my area looking for maples!

[82cabby]

I'll try to put something together and post it. It will be a little off, since I made a few 'field adjustments'.

Good luck!

[valleyman]

Thanks Cabby. Anything will help me get started. I'm going to have to find someone with welding skills and hopefully they'll like maple syrup. Thank you for your help.

[lpakiz]

A guy around here uses an auger to feed wood chips and his blower is off an old range hood...

[82cabby]

Just to update...

I ended up using an electric leaf-blower run by a speed control for a ceiling fan and it worked great! At one point it was so hot the first 6 inches or so of the smoke stack were glowing!! (turned that down fast!)

I did discover that I had to go back and seal up some of my seams with welding. The heat and expansion opened up some seams and I was blowing jets of fire here and there. Problem was solved by making sure all seams were tight.

Got just over 4 gallons of finished syrup this year. Gonna shoot for 5 next year!

Dave