Just bought a leader 2x6 wse and needing to add a preheater. Currently does not have a hood (may build one) and wondering if anyone has had success using copper pipe around the stack as a preheater. Good/bad???
Just bought a leader 2x6 wse and needing to add a preheater. Currently does not have a hood (may build one) and wondering if anyone has had success using copper pipe around the stack as a preheater. Good/bad???
I have heard of mixed results doing this. Since a stack can reach very hot temps you must be careful not to scourch the sap in the preheater tube. And you can also boil the sap in the tube which increases chances of vapor lock. To get the best and most consistent results build the traditional parallel flow preheater and hood.
Camp Wokanda
Peoria Park District
2023 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, sap storage shack w/ 1100 gallon tank - 123 gallons
2022 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, homemade vac filter & water jacket canner - 104 gallons
2021 - 215 on 3/16 shurflo, added 2nd membrane to RO - 78 gallons
2020 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, upgraded hp pump on RO - 66 gallons
2019 - 150 on 3/16 shurflo, Deer Run 125 dolly RO - 73 gallons
2018 - 120 on 3/16 shurflo, 2x6 raised flue w/hood, homemade arch w/ AUF & AOF - 34.5 gallons
As long as you keep the sap moving at a good speed you can get some heat transfer but there is a point like mentioned vapor lock right before a steam spewing stack rumbling power washer overwhelms your float valve backing up into the head tank belching sap all over the place. With a few safe guards you can over come it.
what I have learned is keep the sap moving have a way to flush the sap out with clear water as you shut down and the smaller the tube less forgiving it is.
With a 2 x 6 I am not sure how much you will be able to heat the sap as it will be flowing at a pretty good rate. If you do try it I would suggest having the sap come in at the bottom of the spiral and out the top. This should help with any vapor lock.
Smoky Lake 2x6 dropflu pans and hoods on homemade arch
Smoky Lake 6 gallon water jacked bottler
Concentric Exhaust
250 Deer Run RO
325 taps
If you want to use the stack method, look at this: http://flickr.com/photos/57535094@N0...7601539320490/
It is by member Johnny Cuervo. He has a post telling how he made it. It is very effective at 17-18 gph, you may need more feet to do 25-30 gph if you want 160-170F sap. On the other hand 110-120F is still far better than 35F.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.
Steam is a much better heat transfer medium without the risk of burning anything.
2010 - 12 taps, turkey fryer, 4 quarts
2011 - 24 taps, homemade arch from old water tank, 16"x24" flat pan, 16+ quarts
2012 - 9 taps, 3 pints, what a season
2013 - 60 taps, homemade oil tank arch with 2'x4' flat pan, 16"x24" finishing pan on electric range, 55 quarts
2014 - 80 taps, homemade oil tank arch with 2'x4' flat pan, 16"x24" finishing pan on electric range, 40 quarts
2015 - 100 taps, 15 gallons
2016 - 115 taps, 13.5 gallons
2017 - 120 taps, 13 gallons
2018 - 130 taps, 11 gallons