Distillery Job

Berk

I have a question for someone who may have piped a distillery. The condensate returns very low on the Mash tun and the still. without lifting both the still and the mash tun, I need to use a condensate return tank with pump to get the condensate back home. So my question is at around 10psi of steam will the condensate push uphill at least 4 inches to get in the tank. Also the inlet of the Mash tun is at the same height as the condensate return outlet. All my steam work has been residential boiler work. This is just messing with my head a little. Any help will be greatly apprecated.

Berk

Steamhead

Dan discusses this in Lost Art, chapter 10- "Sizing for Lifts to Overhead Returns". Your lift isn't that high- ISTR we lifted about 4 feet using 4 PSI or so on this job:

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/131461/metal-plating-plant-welded-header-repair-and-fuel-savings-update

Try to run that system at the lowest possible pressure that will work. It might surprise you when you find out how low you can go.

RayWohlfarth

@Berk You want to be sure you can vent the air and not create a water seal or the process will come to a grinding halt

EBEBRATT-Ed

No it will not work if steam pressure is needed to lift the condensate. The condensate return tank needs to be vented so you can't have any steam in the returns IF you use a condensate tank. With a condensate tank you must have steam traps upstream of the tank.

If you do not have traps and have steam pressure in the returns then you can lift condensate depending on the steam pressure you have. 1 psi will lift condensate 24"

jumper

Often hear about steam pressure required to blow condensate through trap. That is not how traps work.

My guess is that eventually owner will cut floor to make room for a receiver. Lifting the condensate will still be an issue. Best way always is to take advantage of gravity.

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

No it will not work if steam pressure is needed to lift the condensate. The condensate return tank needs to be vented so you can't have any steam in the returns IF you use a condensate tank. With a condensate tank you must have steam traps upstream of the tank.

If you do not have traps and have steam pressure in the returns then you can lift condensate depending on the steam pressure you have. 1 psi will lift condensate 24"