CO2 system design / pipe diameter

[rferrell]

Everyone,

I'm working on a CO2 system for a brewery buildout, and have a few questions I could use some help with...

I am planning to run PEX-AL-PEX as CO2 main line from 6 ton bulk tank with vaporizer array, regulated to 100ish PSI. I was planning to run 1" ID line on the idea that larger diameter = less restricted flow = good. In the past I've worked with both 3/8" PVC and 1/2" copper CO2 lines, but with 90 bbl tanks going in, my instinct was that the higher flow would make for much quicker blow downs and other operations.

Maybe I overthought it, but here's my hangup: if I drop 1" line down to a secondary regulator that has a 1/2" FNPT inlet (high flow regulator) or a 1/4" inlet (normal flow), will the act of reducing down to 1/2 or 1/4" NPT defeat the purpose of having 1" line? Or, if I'm going fit a 1" x 1/2" NPT reducer to connect the secondary regulator, would it make more sense to just run 1/2" line to begin with?

This might be gas handling 101, but any clarification would be awesome.

Thanks guys.

[TGTimm]

1" P-Al-P mainline is a good idea, especially if you add high-load equipment like keg washers, bottlers, etc. For the drops to the fermenter/bright tank secondary regs, 1/2" is plenty. We blow down 110 bbl ferms in short time with 1/2" supply.

With a primary set at ~100 psi, the Pex-Al-Pex is probably overkill. I use O2-barrier PEX for most of our CO2 lines these days, and it's done great at ~125 psi on 100F+ days.

[BDL]

more than just not restricting flow, keeping the velocity of the CO2 down in the pipe from the main regulator to the secondary can prevent icing during heavy draw periods.