Help with sizing a plate chiller

[finecreek]

Hi all,

We're starting a 1.5bbl brewery with a 3bbl cellar. I'm wondering what size plate chiller/ gpm efficiency I should be looking for? Any recommendations on manufacturers would be great too!

Thanks!

[Whitewall]

We use a 60 plate chiller from Duda Diesel for our 2 bbl. Gets down to 68 with ground water in about 10 minutes

[Thirsty_Monk]

It is always better to oversize your HX.

[jmp781]

Whitewall, what is your average ground water temperature?

[Whitewall]

Ya know I've never measured it. Were in Washington so I assume it stays fairly mild. 60 in the summer probably.

[Brandjes]

Duda Diesel will do the calculation for you if you have your water temperature

[dantose]

Duda Diesel will do the calculation for you if you have your water temperature

I was going to say that! Well, I'll still toss out the link:

http://www.dudadiesel.com/files/beerwortchart.pdf

[populuxebrewing]

Your water temp is going to be the big difference at this scale. I've got a 60 plate Duda and a Blichmann Therminator and the difference between them is a degree or 2 at the most. We're in Seattle, so our water is all surface water from the Cedar River watershed. It can come in at 45 in the dead of winter or as high as 74 in the summer. Once your ground water goes above your desired pitching temp, you need to start to think about pre-chilling. That is, assuming that you lack an efficient way to reduce the temp in your fermenter.