The case of failing vacuum breaker, this fridays case

RayWohlfarth · September 4

In this weeks case, it talks about why the vacuum breaker for a brewery boiler fails regularly. The owner only gets about 6 months before it stops working. They operate the boiler at 13-14 psi. The video will post this Friday at 6am EST

EBEBRATT-Ed · September 4

Some vacuum breakers are supposed to be protected by a water loop seal (like a pigtail).

I sometimes have better luck with a good quality Y pattern check valve. A 250 or 300# check will last longer.

jumper · September 4

Critical devices like vacuum breakers and relief valves ought to be redundant.

Steamhead · September 4

Why is the pressure so high?

Why is the vacuum breaker there to begin with?

EBEBRATT-Ed · September 4

Brewery's like high pressure.

RayWohlfarth · September 6

@Steamhead They have electric control valves for each kettle. When they shut off and the steam condenses, it goes into a vacuum.

Here is the link for this weeks video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOgjCRsCVHc

ethicalpaul · September 6

Ray I love these puzzles but I think you kept known information from us that could have helped. It sounds like everyone except us knew the boiler was surging. You also didn't tell us there were two boilers, but that may not have mattered here.

Thank you for these puzzles!