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Is this boiler too small?

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  • Is this boiler too small?

    I am starting a brewery in the new year and the one piece I am missing is my boiler.

    My system is a 20bbl brewhouse with a 30 bbl HLT.
    We have 6x 20BBL fermenters so no double brew days in our first year.

    Now the big issue I am facing is that I found a great deal on a boiler from another brewer that is upgrading theirs.
    Its a well looked after system that is:
    WEIL-McLAIN - LGB-7S
    18.9 BHP
    Gross output of 619,000 BTUs
    Net of 464,000 BTUs
    Input of 619,000 BTUs.
    They used it for their 17 BBL system for years.


    Now I know this is underpowered from what I saw on many other post, but is it livable?
    The offer I am getting is stupid cheap at $5000 bucks, saving me at least $30,000 compared to my other quotes.

    I also know what my dream boiler is (things only a brewer says) but the damn sales rep for the boiler company wont pick up his phone so I can buy it off him!

    So my questions is, how badly underpowered is it? Can I still survive on it or is really not going to be a fun day
    Last edited by AnalogBrewing; 12-07-2017, 05:27 PM. Reason: Spelling mistake

  • #2
    Boiler

    Originally posted by AnalogBrewing View Post
    I am starting a brewery in the new year and the one piece I am missing is my boiler.

    My system is a 20bbl brewhouse with a 30 bbl HLT.
    We have 6x 20BBL fermenters so no double brew days in our first year.

    Now the big issue I am facing is that I found a great deal on a boiler from another brewer that is upgrading theirs.
    Its a well looked after system that is:
    WEIL-McLAIN - LGB-7S
    18.9 BHP
    Gross output of 619,000 BTUs
    Net of 464,000 BTUs
    Input of 619,000 BTUs.
    They used it for their 17 BBL system for years.


    Now I know this is underpowered from what I saw on many other post, but is it livable?
    The offer I am getting is stupid cheap at $5000 bucks, saving me at least $30,000 compared to my other quotes.

    I also know what my dream boiler is (things only a brewer says) but the damn sales rep for the boiler company wont pick up his phone so I can buy it off him!

    So my questions is, how badly underpowered is it? Can I still survive on it or is really not going to be a fun day
    I have a boiler that will work for you. It powered our 30 bbl no problem. 100 hp 150 psi 9000$ see post under William and davis.

    Trent
    Trent
    Shades of Pale
    Park City UT

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    • #3
      Sadly I am in Canada and shipping that beast would cost me almost as much as a new boiler (after Excise tax).
      Last edited by AnalogBrewing; 12-08-2017, 11:03 AM.

      Comment


      • #4
        Probrewer.com Supplier Directory

        Have you tried a search of the supplier directory?


        Type boiler in the second box and click on links that appear below to find your way to a list of companies that supply boilers to breweries.
        Admin

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        • #5
          Sucks that you can't get the local boiler company to respond, but I would keep trying. Most boilers are not plug and play, and will require someone licensed by the local municipality to install and service them. If you get someone local to install it, warranty it, and service it once a year or so, you will save money in the long run.
          Linus Hall
          Yazoo Brewing
          Nashville, TN
          www.yazoobrew.com

          Comment


          • #6
            Time and Practicality

            What you get into with undersized equipment always deals with required BTUs vs. Time and not overloading the said machine.
            The other consideration is that as your Brewery becomes successful, EVERYTHING starts to become more Time Critical.
            As this Efficiency is then needed.
            You have to consider if you want to heat your HLT from tap temperature and try to get to Boil on your Kettle at the same time, it may not be adequate. Some of the load calc guys who deal with Steam side equations can help with the real numbers.
            For reference we run a 15 bbl system on a Boiler that about 19 HP. The recirc. tube bundle type HX for HLT service are faster in theory than a jacketed HLT time wise. You have to kind of look ahead and see about all points.
            As a side note " Williams and Davis " makes are real solid machine. If you can find one of their Scotch Marine Style boilers you have something that will last a lifetime even if it has to be re-tubed at some point.

            Star
            Warren Turner
            Industrial Engineering Technician
            HVACR-Electrical Systems Specialist
            Moab Brewery
            The Thought Police are Attempting to Suppress Free Speech and Sugar coat everything. This is both Cowardice and Treason given to their own kind.

            Comment


            • #7
              According to my calcs, you should in theory at least be able to cope with say 8% evaporation in 1 hour - but absolutely nothing else could draw steam from it whilst boiling. Whilst heating the wort? - again, if my calcs are anything like, you should be able to heat something else, BUT, it depends what volume, and how fast, particularly if you are also drawing some steam for sterilising kegs or casks with high instantaneous loads.

              All this assumes no heat losses and 100% heat transfer from steam to wort, etc.

              You need to sort out what is going to be heated when, what volume, and at what rate so you plan overlaps. Personally I would prefer to buy a somewhat oversize unit than an undersized unit, and allow for reasonable future proofing.
              dick

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              • #8
                Thank you for your responses!

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