Aeration

ghandlin · Joined: 09 Oct 2016 Posts: 96

So, here is what I have coming together. I have a build in process based 99% entirely off Kal's design. I'm using SS Brewtech 14G Brewmaster series fermenters. I want to close the system and aerate inline. Looking for suggestions...

McGruber · Joined: 12 Aug 2014 Posts: 237 Location: Idaho

Hey George,

I use Kal's recommended CFC, on a stand that a friend helped weld for me out of square steel tubing. I use tri-clamp fittings throughout my brewery, and added garden hose quick-disconnects for the water side (this helps prevent the inevitable leaking water after disconnecting). You should be able to figure out all the fittings based on the picture. If not, let me know.

There's an oxygen stone attached in the back of the "T" that goes to a welding oxygen tank. Requisite inline O2 filter, "T" and valves (so I can attach a oxygen wand for oxygenating yeast starters (or a fermenter if I want to after fermentation has begun), and a Check Valve ( https://www.morebeer.com/products/shut-checkball-valve.html?a_aid=theelectricbrewery ) so wort doesn't back up the line and wreck the O2 filter (speaking from experience). I did move it closer to the stone than some of the pictures depict. The first picture has it right, other two do not. Most fittings were purchased at Home Depot.

I had trouble dialing in the flow/ pressure gauge on the tank, so bought a Flowmeter. (Kal-ify it, please - DONE!) http://amzn.to/2hPWA0g
It's pricy, but I do find that less than 1 LPM is plenty and I like not wasting O2.

I'm going to revamp the layout to better accommodate the flow meter and since I decided to use glycol for my fermentation cabinets, I'm considering using the pictured setup as first-stage cooling with water, and a second stage plate chiller that is permanently hooked up to the glycol lines.

David_H · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2016 12:07 pm Post subject:

For aeration, I made an DIY inline aeration venturi. The final length of tubing into the Fermenter is 1/2 OD Polypropylene. I have a Push-to-Connect Tee and on the input side to the Tee I have push smaller tubing into the 1/2" Tubing to create a restriction. As the wort is pushed through the Tee, air is sucked into the mix and I get very good air aeration. I have a sanitary air filter on the upstanding leg of the Tee and the straight through leg continues on into the Fermenter.

[EDIT 12/15/16 9:01 PM] Added Photos of Venturi

I also have a threaded Aeration Stone and a Threaded Sanitary Fitting that I can clamp to the bottom of the SS Brewtech Fermenter and inject O2 into the bottom of the Fermenter. That works well also.

David

ateene · Joined: 02 Apr 2012 Posts: 55 Location: Fort Collins, CO

Here is the setup I'm using. It uses a wort filter from Brewers Hardware that connects to a Duda Diesel plate chiller.
The inline oxygenator is mounted to the plate chiller with tri-clamp connectors so it can easily removed for cleaning. The oxygenator has a threaded tee with the oxygen stone and a SS Brewtech micro sight glass. I also have a cheap O2 flow meter that I got from ebay.

McGruber · Joined: 12 Aug 2014 Posts: 237 Location: Idaho

ateene · Joined: 02 Apr 2012 Posts: 55 Location: Fort Collins, CO

I've only used the filter a couple of time, it seems to work fine.

David_H · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 2:13 am Post subject:

I have a very similar setup with the Brewers Hardware Wort Filter and the Duda Diesel Plate Chiller.
The Filter works very well, however I have managed to clog it twice now. You still need to be vigilant to reduce the amount of Trub that gets into the system. I have added a quick whirl pool and short rest to the process to allow the Trub to settle a bit.

Will not need the Tube-in-Tube Chiller and the Plate Chiller. The Plate Chill can reduce the Wort temperature to the temperature of the Cooling Water. I live in Georgia with summertime water in the high 70's. I plan to run a test this weekend using water chilled in the HLT (20 lb ice with about 17 gallons of water); hopefully I can get the water in the HLT into the low 50's. Then I will chill boiled water to as low as I can get with the 19-20 gallons of chilled water. The plan is the flow the Cooling Water at about 3 gal/min and the Hot Wort at about 2 gal/min. The should get 11 gallons of chilled wort and limit the Cooling Water to the water in the HLT.

wscottcross · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2016 3:03 am Post subject:

I have just splashed the wort in and it has worked extremely well for me. Here is my latest batch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_KMTwKbJQw

ghandlin · Joined: 09 Oct 2016 Posts: 96

Very nice systems guys. I'm working out my details now... still have a ways to go on the build! Really excited to get it going.

McGruber · Joined: 12 Aug 2014 Posts: 237 Location: Idaho

McGruber · Joined: 12 Aug 2014 Posts: 237 Location: Idaho

jimboh · Joined: 25 Mar 2017 Posts: 69 Location: Halifax NS

Do you think that the venturi method will oxygenate more effectively than an aquarium pump and stone inline?
Sorry posted this in the wrong thread, although it is still a relevant question.

McGruber · Joined: 12 Aug 2014 Posts: 237 Location: Idaho

**kal** · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 6:53 pm Post subject:

More info: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/Atmosphere-based-aeration-system-with-pump-and-diffusion-stone

Kal

jimboh · Joined: 25 Mar 2017 Posts: 69 Location: Halifax NS

Thanks Kal I did read that before posting. I was mainly asking the question because you talk of 30 -120 minutes with the stone. It takes much less time for me to transfer 10gallons to my fermenters so not sure if its a working solution or if I should go stone on a wand and aerate in the fastferment. But as I have two 5gals, that would mean having the lids off for 1- 2 hours.

I am considering getting a fermentation chamber for my garage and switching to brewbuckets or a 14Gal conical. With enough space above I could just do the degas stick method. I could also just lower my fastferments so as to have space above but then I will probably be too low for transfer to keg. Fix one thing and cause problems elsewhere.

BTW I did your Blonde Aie recipe over the weekend.

All went great until I was preparing for chill and I opened my valves but didn't start the wort pump and accidentally gravity fed 4 or 5 gallons of hot wort into my fermenter in the basement!! I put the wort back into the boil kettle and started again. Damn, the fastferment leaked, a lot, I had to transfer it damn quick into my 3rd fastferment.
Must have been the heat, I had filled it with sanitiser before hand to clean and check for leaks.

I'm going to try the ESB in a couple of weeks when the fermenters are free, hope for 3rd time lucky, as in zero issues.

I reckon I must have got enough aeration just splashing it into the fermenter because even though I just sprinkled the US 05 onto the wort both batches were bubbling well after less than 12 hrs.

**kal** · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 8:05 pm Post subject:

The 30-120 mins is to aerate with atmosphere through a stone once the wort's already in the fermenter.

Kal

jimboh · Joined: 25 Mar 2017 Posts: 69 Location: Halifax NS

Do you think an inline stone with atmosphere would be more efficient or the same?

**kal** · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 8:14 pm Post subject:

jimboh · Joined: 25 Mar 2017 Posts: 69 Location: Halifax NS

If the Aeration stone needs to be in the fermenter for 30-120 to sufficiently oxygenate the wort, would a stone fitted inline at the chiller output, fed by an aquarium style pump need a similar amount of time or less?

If it takes 10 - 15 minutes to chill and transfer wort to the fermenter could an inline stone possibly aerate sufficiently during the transfer?

**kal** · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2017 9:14 pm Post subject:

The stone needs to be for 30-120 mins if using atmosphere. Doesn't matter where it is, the time would be the same. You don't see brewers using atmosphere inline for this reason, only pure oxygen. If you want aerate inline you need to use pure oxygen. Good luck!

Kal