Steam Condenser

It's getting cold and dark outside, so I've got to rig something for indoor running. I don't wish to stink up the house with oily steam exhaust, nor raise humidity levels around my electronics, so the old evaporator is out. This design was inspired by rangerssteamtoys. While it works, I think I am going to retool it, reducing the coil count somewhat. I also need to add in a trap between it and the engine to collect the oil, so I don't clog up my coil over time.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Steam
• Engine
• Condenser
• Distillation

[spottersjoshua]

Hi there. Only watched to 2:01, but I see one major issue. Your coils are probably fine (in number)- more is better than less, and particularly if you've got a small amount of coolant (as you have in that coffee can). BUT you need to make sure the entire coil is sloping downward. Water seeks level and will pool at any zero slope. That pooled water will block new vapor from coming through.

Fix the slope of the condenser coils and you're on your way.

[MisterOcclusion]

Thanks. At some point I'm going to remove a few feet of copper so that it can be sloped better. What I have in there now is overkill, I think.

[Anonymous660]

Also as I don't know of a whole lot of high heat tubing types what kind are you using

[MisterOcclusion]

Oh... The rubber tubing is just 1/8"ID silicone stuff, sold as fuel line for RC aircraft. The rest is just generic copper from the hardware store.

The silicone stuff is great. Doesn't break down, doesn't melt, lasts forever :)

[Anonymous660]

Try looking up water cooler on youtube. For example making a radiator to recirculate the water in the can and cool it. Also if the water in the can is giving off too much steam put the cap on the can. Yes I do realize you probably alrready thought of this:)

[MisterOcclusion]

Lately I've not even bothered putting water in the can. Actually I don't use this setup much because as it sits now it just creates too much back pressure. I need to remove at least half of the copper coil, I figure, and give the remaining stuff more of an incline to help it drain, because it does not drain well on its own. I had been using ice chiseled out of the deep freeze in it ;)

[Axbent]

@Sojaofdapepo thats wet fine sand like is used for foundy practice. Altho I doubt anyone would fill a coil like that with sand for bending. try cerrobend or bendalloy, prolly much better than old hacks like sand! dgrdesignsDOTcoDOTuk

[MisterOcclusion]

Thanks. I've also been told that salt works. These days I just try to not need bends. ;)

[Sojaofdapepo]

fill ur copper tube with sand then it will bend w/out pinching

[MisterOcclusion]

Yes, there is a good bit of back pressure in the system. I need to cut the coil count again.