Glycol chiller sizing

[BrewDrum]

We're getting two 10bbl unitanks, and found a deal on a beer line chiller that was way too good to pass up. These are 1/3 hp, and we were considering using 1 per 10bbl unitank.

Is it even possible to be efficient with this on a 10bbl tank? If not, we can change out the pump motor to something bigger..

Thoughts?

[othevad]

Line Chillers

Hey BD.

I have (2) 10 bbl with a single 1/2hp chiller from foxx equipment chilling mine. Hooked it up back in the fall.
There is a version on Foxx (if that's where you are looking) that hold a secondary pump, it's like 200-300 extra bucks (for the pump)
With the 1/2 hp, I can maintain ferment temps easily and use it to crash to 38/39f in about a day.
If I want to go colder to carb, I have to wait longer (I don't use a brite currently and do everything in the unitank)
Coldest I can get with this setup is 35, I can usually carbonate to a decent volume of co2 at 38, just takes more co2 and more time.

It's not the most efficient, just what works for a budget. I would be seriously scared of trying to run a solo pump on a 1/3hp with the 2 tanks in series with solenoids.

Hope this helps a bit, if you have any questions about the setup write me at dave at proclamationale dot com

good luck

[BrewDrum]

Thanks for your response. We actually got two of these used, and they're only a single pump; one unit per 10bbl tank. We got them for $250 each, so we may just modify them to bigger pumps. Would you think that we should go to at least 1hp?

We're going to be carbing in these as well, so our application is like yours.

[othevad]

Good deal

Hey BD.

Yeah, that's a steal.
Do they have additional pump slot add on or no? (assuming no)
How big is the glycol bath as well?
If you really wanna check it out you could always h20 the fermenter and so a test to see chilling capability.
I know another brewery in my area uses the same draft chillers as I do, he has a 3/4 hp on his and can knock down to 33-34f.

[BrewDrum]

The tank will hold about 5 gallons, and there isn't a slot for another pump, just a single pump on the top. I don't have pics to show you, or I would.

We're in the south and it gets pretty warm in the summer, so I guess I'm a bit concerned about that as well. It would be fighting ambient temps of around 100 degrees (inside) on a hot day. Of course we'll.use fans to keep air moving, to help condensation to cool it down.

I guess the saison will be a summer release only

[a10t2]

I know that a 1/4 HP unit gives pretty good results for a 7 bbl fermenter, so I'd guess you'll be OK. I don't have any experience with ambient temperatures above the 70s though.