The near Bullet proof reflux condenser

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The near Bullet proof reflux condenser

Postby rumdidlydum » Sun Nov 06, 2016 5:09 pm

So I finally finished my new reflux condenser after several attempts and building methods.

It's 26 x 3/8 tubes at 100mm long, 100% hard solder construction.

After the first several attempts of trying to flare the tubes, using thick end plates and trying to resolve the dreaded tinking (which is the different cooling rates of each individual parts causing fractures),
I have found a method that has worked with great success. It's requires a bit of patience in forming the end plates but is well worth it in my view.

The only reason I have made it from 3/8 tube rather than 1/2, is I had used up all my 1/2 tube in previous attempts, It actually worked out better, the distance between tubes was increased which allowed the room for more of a flange.

I wanted to flange the join to the 4" tube. By using the thick copper end plates as a die, (from a previous attempt) worked perfectly. It took a few times to get the flange shape right, also a couple of times of annealing, but I was happy with it in the end.
img20161106_173219.jpg
img20161106_173254.jpg

For flanging the tubes I worked out that a tapered pin punch I owned had the perfect start and finish sizes for the 3/8 tubes. There was no drilling needed at all in the end plates and just by using the tapered punch and a hammer to drive the punch through the plate is all that was required.
img20161106_173201.jpg
img20161106_173137.jpg
img20161106_173316.jpg

Now with all the tubes slotted neatly into the end plates, everything cleaned and fluxed, time to hard solder it all together. Once it was all soldered I pressure tested it and found two leaks which were easily sorted.The extra surface area made it easier to get the hard solder to bond the two pieces together and having the two materials the same thickness allowed for them to heat up in the same rate.
img20161106_173331.jpg
img20161106_173345.jpg

Once it was acid bathed and rinsed I did a small cleaning run to test its knockdown power and the control I could achieve with a new needle valve I bought for it. Needless to say the knockdown is HUGE It can knockdown full 4800w of power and with my needle valve the working range is within one turn of the dial.
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Re: The near Bullet proof reflux condenser

Postby Doubleuj » Sun Nov 06, 2016 7:59 pm

Well done mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Took you long enough :teasing-neener: :laughing-rolling:
The flared plates are an awesome idea, lots of surface area, makes it like a capillary fitting :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: The near Bullet proof reflux condenser

Postby bluc » Sun Nov 06, 2016 9:27 pm

Awesome build i bet it could knockdown more than 4800w with ease, :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: The near Bullet proof reflux condenser

Postby aussiebrewer » Sun Nov 06, 2016 10:38 pm

Nice idea with the punch. kind of like a branch puller but a pusher instead.
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Re: The near Bullet proof reflux condenser

Postby Flowerpot » Mon Nov 07, 2016 3:13 pm

That is sweet as, bloody awesome work. Makes me cringe looking at all those joins. I also think 4800W is a very low estimate. :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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