Non-Chemical Self Circulating Condenser Cooling Water System diagram

[kane333]

Searching the web, I found this diagram for a Condenser Cooler that seems simple enough to make. There are a few addenda I would make to the design information and diagram. Within the sentence "Efficient cooling requires the complete exclusion of air bubbles, which is readily achieved by filling the system with water through the lower (exchange "lower" with Inlet)T-connector. " In the diagram, the tee's and thumb clamps are depicted close to the reflux setup. I would show them where I have added red circles to the diagram, on top of the inverted traps to allow the ellimination of air where it would most likely get caught in the system. Otherwise, this is a fairly easy design and I'd like to know does anyone use this setup and if so, how well does it work?

View attachment Self Circulating Condenser Cooler.pdf

 

[etack]

the best way to ensure no air would be to make the outlet the high point. put the ice bath lower than the reflux and bleed it though the outlet valve.

Eric

 

[g_axelsson]

I see two problems / improvements with the schematic in that pdf.

1. When you fill it you really want the outlet to be at the highest point in the system. As drawn it is below the rim of the ice bath and would create an air bubble at the highest point.
The author probably didn't think of that as you could fill the system and then put it into the ice bath.

2. By raising the ice bath above the condenser you should get better flow rate and cooling.

The system works, but the drawback is that you still need to chill one side, with an ice bath for example. You have only moved the problem one step away.

Göran