FFE questions

[Intergalactic]

Hi guys I am in the process of making a 12gph FFE (I know really small… size doesn’t matter right ) Now on too my questions!

What vacuum pumps is everyone using? Should I use one of my Welch diaphragm pumps?

Are 3/8ths ID tubes for the evaporator and condenser okay? I am sourcing my tube and shell exchanger through glacier tanks, $2400 and I’ll have 36in long exchanger with 19 3/8ths tubes and they are baffled, also in stock state side

What temperatures are everyone using? Most on demand water heaters cap at 60c and would 0c suffice on the cooling side?

Is the inlet for hot water on the evaporator the top or should it be the bottom?

Is the inlet for cold water on the condenser the bottom or should it be the top?

Thanks for letting me poke and prod your guys brains!

[SettinguoalabinMD]

Thermodynamics take some learning, that’s forsure.

Research research research.

You got the idea, now formulate the plan.

[downtheterphole]

the welch should do. you may want to throttle it to avoid pulling solvent into it.
3/8 tubes are acceptable.
temps should be good as long as vac isnt too deep.
counterflow your heater and condenser.

[Future]

See this thread

[Open Source Design Project] - Falling Film Evaporator

Howdy out there, I am a relatively new extractor operating in the CA market and I’m frustrated beyond all hell with the lack of open source collaborative development in the space. To give a bit of background let me begin by saying that most of my experience has been within a corporate framework. I was the director of engineering at a mid sized (500 employee) manufacturing company for the better part of the last decade, and throughout my time there I found that the most successful projects ( …