Last Updated: BW 10/23/14

Critical Sub-System Design - Condenser

Sub-System Design

P15484 – Solar Assisted Essential Oil Distiller October 20, 2014

Sub system design-Condenser (Coil Bath)

Benchmarked Items

Be sure to add to the benchmarking document.

Concept Generation

1 234

5 678

9 10

Feasibility Analysis

  • The condenser must condense steam for 9 hours of continuous operation at a nominal flow rate of 1.08 gal of water per 9 hour period.
  • Material that contacts steam/water must be stainless steel.
  • Liquid floral water must exit the condenser and enter the separator.

Questions that need to be answered:

  • Can the pipe be bent to meet shape requirements without causing pipe deformation (pinching/kinking)? Yes, according to a student involved in Baja SAE with bending experience
  • How will the pipe/bucket interface be sealed?epoxy
  • How will the condenser pipe inlet be attached to the boiler?Compression fitting
  • How large does the cold fluid bucket need to be? 14gallon without heat losses to environment

Information you need from other sub-system owners:

  • What will the temperature of the steam be when entering the condenser?
  • What is the maximum rate of boiling water?
  • What is the maximum amount of water that will be boiled in a day (9 hour period)?
  • Will the cold fluid bucket have any other interfaces? (will this bucket also supply the water to the trough?)

Analysis:

  • Transient analysis to show cold fluid temperature over time and how that effects condenser operation.
  • Show effect of pipe diameter on condenser operation.Smaller diameter increases convection inside pipe, which increases heat flux from steam to cold fluid. 1/8” diameter will be sufficient.
  • Design conclusions based off of analysis.

Concept Selection

All concepts requiring fluid flow have been eliminated because of pump requirements and additional cost associated with providing fluid flow. (additional chamber, piping, valves, man power)

  • Coil-bath concept has been chosen because of manufacturing simplicity and system cost (low parts requirement).

Concepts 1, 2, and 3 have been eliminated because that will not produce the required cooling power by using air as the cold fluid.

Concepts 4, 5, and 8 have been eliminated because of the complex geometry.

Concepts 6, 7, and 9 have been eliminated because they require cold fluid flow to operate.

Concept 10 is chosen for simplicity and low cost.

Sub-System Design

Sketches, rough solid model image

Preliminary BOM

Description / Cost / source
18 gallon Rubbermaid storage tote / $9.87 /
25 ft of 1/8” 304SS tubing / $43.48 /
Epoxy (seals separator side) / We can probably find this for free in the machine shop
Compression fitting / $8.88 /
5 qt Stainless steel bucket for collector / $13.15 /
Plastic transfer pipette (pack of 20) / $4.05 /
Amber glass jar / $4.99 /