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ProfessorPinHead
Trapped in the Archives....
Registered: 07/09/10
Posts: 4,568
Loc: F=G*m_1*m_2/r^2
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: RogerRabbit]
#13431164 - 11/03/10 08:48 PM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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Yo RR,
What do you think about cutting one of the 55 gallon drums in half so you can hinge it and making a giant roaster style pasteurizer with it. Kind of like the grills they make for BBQ's in the south.
Would this even be possible?
Would it be large enough to pull off 100 lbs. of substrate????
I imagine it would take a long time to get the core temp up in the bags....
Has anyone seen anything like this or tried it?
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RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure
Registered: 03/26/03
Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 1 year, 1 month
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That would take away half your barrel space. For pasteurizing straw, I use an upright 55 gallon drum, first filled 3/4 full with shredded and soaked straw, and then add water until the barrel is full. This makes full use of the space. I siphon the water out of the barrel at the end of the cycle, making the straw easy to lift out. RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat "I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work." Thomas Edison
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ProfessorPinHead
Trapped in the Archives....
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: RogerRabbit]
#13432725 - 11/04/10 06:41 AM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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What if you used some sheet metal to make flat lids and used one barrel it to make 2 horizontal units instead of one vertical one.
These units would be used for poo in spawn bags. I would definitely go with an upright one if I was going to use it for straw.
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PocketRevolution
Stranger
Registered: 12/22/09
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Last seen: 3 months, 9 days
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: RogerRabbit]
#13452888 - 11/08/10 09:19 AM (13 years, 5 months ago) |
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Just for anyone who didn't know this, if you want to siphon empty a barrel without putting your mouth on a garden hose, submerge the entire hose in the water, cap the end with your thumb, then pull it out again capped. Pull it down to below the barrel, remove thumb, siphon.
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karlfinn22
Stranger
Registered: 11/09/10
Posts: 6
Last seen: 13 years, 4 months
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nice build RR. motivational.
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Qultivator
Fungi Farmer
Registered: 01/11/11
Posts: 64
Last seen: 11 years, 9 months
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: RogerRabbit]
#13839989 - 01/23/11 11:44 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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BRILLIANT design here. Gonna copy it for my farm. I've got lots of questions that I think others may benefit from as well.
What type of clear tubing have you used as your "sight glass"?. I simply can't find clear tubing that is rated for boiling (or higher) temperatures. Furthermore, I'm curious about what you attached to the iron street elbow and tee that are at each end of the sight glass to allow the clear tubing to be clamped on.
I've also had a problem finding a low pressure gauge (0-5 or 0-10 PSI) that is rated to withstand 200F+ temperatures. I looked on Grainger, but it seems most boiler-rated gauges operate at too high/wide of a pressure range to make sense for measuring the 1-2 psi that your setup seems to be capable of. Long question short: What brand/type of gauge did you use?
Since you did this write up, have you ever tripped your 5 psi safety valve or blown the sterilizer drum's lid off accidentally? Any other drama you've experienced with it, or general advice you'd want to report to someone considering copying your setup as a double barrel sterilizer hooked up to the single boiler? I guess the only difference is that I'd be "teeing" the copper piping out to two separate barrels, with two separate exhaust ports, right?
On that note, I'm not planning on piping my waste steam anywhere. I'm considering using an adjustable steam valve (meant for a steam heat radiator...Grainger has 'em) as an exhaust ports. You say that you're using a "spin valve". Any pointers here?
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RogerRabbit
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Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: Qultivator]
#13841427 - 01/24/11 10:37 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Qultivator said: What type of clear tubing have you used as your "sight glass"?. I simply can't find clear tubing that is rated for boiling (or higher) temperatures. Furthermore, I'm curious about what you attached to the iron street elbow and tee that are at each end of the sight glass to allow the clear tubing to be clamped on.
It's plain old cheap plastic tubing from the local hardware store. Since the fittings are on the outside of the boiler, they're not subjected to high heat. I only run at 1 psi to 2 psi, so pressure isn't a problem. The fittings to attach the tubing are simply copper tubing of the right OD to match the tubing. Hose clamps secure the tubing to the copper.
Quote:
Qultivator said: I've also had a problem finding a low pressure gauge (0-5 or 0-10 PSI) that is rated to withstand 200F+ temperatures. I looked on Grainger, but it seems most boiler-rated gauges operate at too high/wide of a pressure range to make sense for measuring the 1-2 psi that your setup seems to be capable of. Long question short: What brand/type of gauge did you use?
Grainger doesn't have them. Search on google for 5 psi pressure gauge. It doesn't have to be heat rated since all you have to do is put a 3" nipple between your steam pipe and the gauge and it will not even get warm.
Quote:
Qultivator said: Since you did this write up, have you ever tripped your 5 psi safety valve or blown the sterilizer drum's lid off accidentally? Any other drama you've experienced with it, or general advice you'd want to report to someone considering copying your setup as a double barrel sterilizer hooked up to the single boiler?
Nope, no drama. We watch it carefully. The relief valve has never tripped because I make it a point to always work sober, paying careful attention to the job at hand.
Quote:
Qultivator said: On that note, I'm not planning on piping my waste steam anywhere. I'm considering using an adjustable steam valve (meant for a steam heat radiator...Grainger has 'em) as an exhaust ports. You say that you're using a "spin valve". Any pointers here?
I use a radiator drain valve, available at any auto parts store for $3. It requires careful attention, so don't duplicate this if you're not going to really stand there and adjust as needed. After an hour or two, the entire system is stable, and you can then go back to other tasks, simply monitoring the operation every fifteen minutes or so. RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat "I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work." Thomas Edison
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Qultivator
Fungi Farmer
Registered: 01/11/11
Posts: 64
Last seen: 11 years, 9 months
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: RogerRabbit]
#13842175 - 01/24/11 01:33 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
It doesn't have to be heat rated since all you have to do is put a 3" nipple between your steam pipe and the gauge and it will not even get warm
This confuses me...you've got at least a foot of copper tubing leading from your boiler to the sterilizer (where the temp should be at or above boiling) and yet you're suggesting that 3" of pipe nipple leading away from a tee junction on the steam pipe to the gauge will be enough to keep the gauge from getting hot...
Am I missing something?
Thanks again for posting all the information about your sterilizer on here! Really helpful stuff for a guy going down the Shiitake cultivation path.
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Qultivator
Fungi Farmer
Registered: 01/11/11
Posts: 64
Last seen: 11 years, 9 months
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: Qultivator]
#13842595 - 01/24/11 02:53 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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One more question: How much propane does this setup use per sterilization cycle?
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GourmetShiitake
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: Qultivator]
#13842646 - 01/24/11 03:04 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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RR do you think one boiler would be enough to supply steam for two ''sterilization chambers'' ?? I'm seriously going to build this as soon as the snow melts. This is a godsend..
Also do you think it would be feasible to heat it with wood instead of a propane burner..
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Nucleus
Registered: 01/07/11
Posts: 40
Last seen: 10 years, 1 hour
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Quote:
GourmetShiitake said: RR do you think one boiler would be enough to supply steam for two ''sterilization chambers'' ?? I'm seriously going to build this as soon as the snow melts. This is a godsend..
Also do you think it would be feasible to heat it with wood instead of a propane burner..
Quote:
GourmetShiitake said: RR do you think one boiler would be enough to supply steam for two ''sterilization chambers'' ?? I'm seriously going to build this as soon as the snow melts. This is a godsend..
Also do you think it would be feasible to heat it with wood instead of a propane burner..
Per RR "With this setup, I chose the barrel with the threaded caps as the boiler. I left the original 2" cap in place to use for filling, and replaced the 3/4" cap with a 3/4" black iron pipe nipple feeding Ts and two gate valves. The bottom valve feeds the sterilizer above and the second valve is for future use for an additional sterilizer drum"
Edited by Nucleus (01/24/11 04:59 PM)
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RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure
Registered: 03/26/03
Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
Last seen: 1 year, 1 month
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: Qultivator]
#13844629 - 01/24/11 09:10 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
Qultivator said:
Quote:
It doesn't have to be heat rated since all you have to do is put a 3" nipple between your steam pipe and the gauge and it will not even get warm
This confuses me...you've got at least a foot of copper tubing leading from your boiler to the sterilizer (where the temp should be at or above boiling) and yet you're suggesting that 3" of pipe nipple leading away from a tee junction on the steam pipe to the gauge will be enough to keep the gauge from getting hot...
Am I missing something?
Yes. There is no steam passing through the nipple to the gauge, thus it doesn't get hot. It's just air against the diaphram, not steam. RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat "I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work." Thomas Edison
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Qultivator
Fungi Farmer
Registered: 01/11/11
Posts: 64
Last seen: 11 years, 9 months
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: RogerRabbit]
#13844773 - 01/24/11 09:34 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Sorry if this sounds ridiculous, but how is it that the gauge is actually measuring the pressure of the steamy hot air inside the boiler if none of the steam is traveling through the pipe nipple to contact the gauge? You say "it's just air again st the diaphragm". Do you mean that there is some intermediary device transmitting the air pressure within the boiler to the gauge without exposing the gauge to the steam and temperature within the system? Is it more than just a "pipe nipple" in there?
Sincerely,
Totally Lost
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uncle bobo
Registered: 01/06/10
Posts: 673
Loc: shakedown st
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: RogerRabbit]
#13844882 - 01/24/11 09:52 PM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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i was thinking about making something similar. i was going to use a metal drum heater, a 8- 15psi pressure release valve. spicket at the bottom for draining. do you think this system would be stable and efficient. there is another pressure valve that is 2-5psi. i don't know which one to get. but they are both made for metal drums.
* Drum Heaters maintain materials at elevated temperatures * Thinner, more flexible, efficient design * Models for both metal and plastic drums
Use Drum Heaters to protect drum contents from freezing, or use for viscosity control or melting. Units provide uniform heat for drum contents. Great for paint, oils, greases, fats, molasses, adhesives, plastics, resins, syrups and more. Units wrap around standard 5-, 30- or 55-gal. drums with a simple spring-and-hook closure. Made of vulcanized, fiberglass-reinforced silicone rubber, sandwiching a nickel alloy wire heating element. Resistant to mechanical damage and many chemicals. Built-in metal screen is grounded for safety. 55-gal. models available in 115V or 230V. Each Drum Heater is equipped with a 6'L cord and three-prong plug (no plug on 230V models). Metal Drum Heaters include a thermostat with a 180° rotating control stem and control range of 50°–425°F. 1500W Metal Drum Heaters are 4"W; all others are 3"W. Plastic Drum Heaters are 6"W and incorporate a 50°–160°F adjustable thermostat plus a high limit control with automatic reset for 175°F.
2" Metal Pressure-Relief Bung Close Replacement Bung for Closed-Head Drums Metal Bungs are ideal for use with heavy steel drums. Pressure-Relief style allows drum to automatically vent gases at 13-15 psi, resealing itself at approximately 8 psi.
* Prevent dangerous pressure buildup with Drum Vents
FM-approved Drum Vents fit 2" NPT bung openings. Choose All-Brass or High-Density Polyethylene/Stainless Steel or High-Density Polyethylene-Plated Steel parts, depending on corrosive requirements. All Dual-Action Drum Vents feature a valve that automatically opens at 5 psig internal pressure. Automatic vacuum relief permits 4 gpm flow through 3/4" faucet. Use End-of-Drum Bung Vents with horizontally stored drums. Flame arrestor protects contents. Use Brass for petroleum-based chemicals. Use Stainless Steel for corrosives and solvents. Optional cast-iron EL Fitting adapts vents to horizontal drums. Compliance: Nos. 1626, 4711, 4712, 1625 and 1625-2 are FM approved.
-------------------- AKA Wolfgang Grajonza IKO MYCO. MEDICINAL FARMS.
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Qultivator
Fungi Farmer
Registered: 01/11/11
Posts: 64
Last seen: 11 years, 9 months
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: uncle bobo]
#13845676 - 01/25/11 12:25 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Um, that would be FECKING brilliant if such a unit could provide enough BTU's to boil a barrel's contents... I really wonder if that would work! Do you think? Does anyone have experience with this? I was pretty much about to go out and patch into my gas line starting tomorrow, but electric would be so much better if feasible. Seems like it might take a really long time to get hot...maybe start a sterilizer cycle with propane then switch to electric? Just thinking it out...
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Qultivator
Fungi Farmer
Registered: 01/11/11
Posts: 64
Last seen: 11 years, 9 months
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: Qultivator]
#13845751 - 01/25/11 12:46 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Yeah, just did the math. The highest wattage electric drum heater I can find is 3000 watts. Heating the cold water in a 55 gallon tank the 130-170 degrees that it would take just to get it to start boiling would take over 6 hours, and that is for an extremely efficiently insulated barrel. The drum heaters simply don't provide enough BTU/Hour performance. If you had a system that needed to be constantly on, then perhaps something like this would make sense. However, 3000 watts at 15 amps is a whole lot of energy to be constantly consuming.
IT SEEMED SO COOL THOUGH! Ugh.
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RogerRabbit
Bans for Pleasure
Registered: 03/26/03
Posts: 42,214
Loc: Seattle
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: uncle bobo]
#13846495 - 01/25/11 07:56 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Quote:
uncle bobo said:
* Prevent dangerous pressure buildup with Drum Vents
FM-approved Drum Vents fit 2" NPT bung openings. Choose All-Brass or High-Density Polyethylene/Stainless Steel or High-Density Polyethylene-Plated Steel parts, depending on corrosive requirements. All Dual-Action Drum Vents feature a valve that automatically opens at 5 psig internal pressure. Automatic vacuum relief permits 4 gpm flow through 3/4" faucet. Use End-of-Drum Bung Vents with horizontally stored drums. Flame arrestor protects contents. Use Brass for petroleum-based chemicals. Use Stainless Steel for corrosives and solvents. Optional cast-iron EL Fitting adapts vents to horizontal drums. Compliance: Nos. 1626, 4711, 4712, 1625 and 1625-2 are FM approved.
Where did you find these? Link? RR
-------------------- Download Let's Grow Mushrooms semper in excretia sumus solim profundum variat "I've never had a failed experiment. I've only discovered 10,000 methods which do not work." Thomas Edison
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Qultivator
Fungi Farmer
Registered: 01/11/11
Posts: 64
Last seen: 11 years, 9 months
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: RogerRabbit]
#13846952 - 01/25/11 10:07 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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labsafety.com
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MonkeyKnifeFight
Stranger
Registered: 06/08/10
Posts: 772
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Re: 55 Gallon Drum Sterilizer [Re: Qultivator]
#13847207 - 01/25/11 11:03 AM (13 years, 2 months ago) |
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Anyone have any tips for tracking down suitable 55 gallon drums? Right now my goal is a bulk pasteurization setup but the drum requirements should be the same. I.E. food grade drum that hasn't had anything nasty in it.
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Ozzy
TimeLord
Registered: 12/28/08
Posts: 1,067
Loc:
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I get mine from uline, shipping is outrageous but if you live close to one and can pick it up they are well worth it...the plastic is 70.00 and the steel is 95.00
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