10 bbl chillers

[zbrian]

I am trying to really cut cost for my new microbrewery. I am going to have 3 10 bbl fermenters and one 10 bbl brite tank. What would be the most cost effective glycol system for these tanks. I am in central Texas with highs in the 100+ range and would like a normal working range for these tanks. My plan B is to put these tanks in a walk in fridge that stays about 65 degrees. We are a very small operation with a very small budget. What do y'all recommend? Thanks for your 2 cents and help! I am also open to the idea of having two tanks in the fridge and then only one tank plus the brite tank on a glycol system for crashing and seasonals requiring lower temps.

[zbrian]

Maybe?

Would it work to keep the jacketed tanks and the chiller in the fridge with the other two tanks? That way the ambient temp around the chiller would be a constant 58-65 degrees.

[CopperKettle]

come on people, search first. This thread is only 4-5 posts down. I give recommendations on the second page specifically about my setup on 10BBL fermenters.

http://www.probrewer.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=23413

[zbrian]

My bad

Is there any reason that I wouldn't be able to put the chiller in the fridge? Would it even be necessary with a chiller like the one you mentioned in the other post?

[Starcat]

Chiller Location

It is not a sound idea to reject condenser heat into the same space you are seeking to condition. Even if a remote condenser were used, having the machine in there is not a good idea. Having a central glycol well in space cooled by the same glycol loop is ok. All refrigeration machines work by removing heat from a fluid meduim, air or liquid. That heat plus the heat of compression is rejected to another fluid meduim, outside the " conditioned " space.
3/4 HP is not that big of a machine, so in some circumstances they can be run indoors without too much problem depending on ventilation and surrounding ambient. The most common mistakes of the lay person with any refrigerating machine are putting the machine in a location that takes it into temperature extremes that are beyond the design of the unit, and not properly understanding the real capacity of the unit at its design rating.
Every " critical " glycol or DX forced air system should be redundant whenever possible.


SC