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steam temp verses volume ratio?

scottGMM
scottGMM Member Posts: 1
I have built an autoclave out of an old 200 gallon propane tank. A large pressure cooker really. In an effort to cut fuel costs and time I have installed a second tank of the same size outside which is connected to the autoclave by 10 feet of pipe. What pressure would the outside tank have to reach in order to keep the system at 15 psi when the valve is opened on the outer tank? Lets assume the autoclave is empty so the volume of both tanks is the same. The outer tank is heated by wood and I put 20 gallons of water in it.

Comments

  • LarryC
    LarryC Member Posts: 331


    ASSuming no steam condenses, P1*V1=P2*V2 outside tank @ 30 PSI and inside tank @ 0 PSI. Realistically it would have to be more. Also you would need air vents on both tanks, blast shields if or when the tanks explode, vacuum breakers to prevent the tanks from imploding, lots of insulation to allow the second tank to keep steam in it, condensate drains to get the water back to the first tank, etc.

    What are you sterilizing?
  • LarryC
    LarryC Member Posts: 331
    Pressure Vessels

    If this is for a commercial establishment, I think your insurance company will have kittens if they find out you are modifying pressure vessels. Not to mention opening yourself up to mega lawsuits if this fails and ends up killing someone.

    Buy a used professional designed and rated piece of equipment.

    ALARD EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    6483 Lake Avenue,
    P.O. Box 57
    Williamson, NY 14589-0057 U.S.A.
    315-589-4511 (phone), 315-589-3871 (fax)
    http://www.alard-equipment.com/
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