Plant steam

BEERandRUMGUY

Here are the facts

1) low pressure boiler, installed 2009, 2 million BTU

2) Powers 4 steam jackets, all less than 15 feet away from boiler, all on their own supply line out of boiler header

    a.  Hot water tank (1900 gallon, two zone jacket, insulated 1.5" pipe)

    b.  hand made steam jacket (tube in shell style)--used rarely

    c.  Steam Kettle for wort production (two zone jacket for making beer)

    d.  Pot Still (for making rum...<a href="http://www.brewing-distilling.com/page2/page4/files/page4-1004-full.html">http://www.brewing-distilling.com/page2/page4/files/page4-1004-full.html</a>)

3) We have been operating both the pot still and our beer kettle and hot water tank on the same day--without issues.

So.  A while ago I realized that my kettle was fabricated incorrectly.  the steam supply inlets were positioned at the top of the side and bottom jackets-- literally and directly above the condensate outlets.  I cut into the steam jackets 180 degrees from the codensate outs, and welded new fittings.  We are waiting for the steam fitter to come and hook them up.  However, I now something we have never experiecned before.  Again, here are the facts

1) Start the boiler in the morning, turn steam on to only pot still to make rum=NO PROBLEMS

2) Start boiler in the morning, use kettle and hot water tanks for beer production, THEN turn on pot still for rum production=sometimes massive violent shaking of the pot still.  It isn't a "hammer" per se, just violent shaking.  Larger than normal condensate purge is another clue.



anyone have a throught to

1) why this would happen

2) why this would happen in coincidence with the welding project



thanks!

<a href="mailto:derek@newportstorm.com">derek@newportstorm.com</a>