A few Questions about Bubble Cap Columns

by **grehund** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:09 pm

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, I haven't been able to find answers to these questions.

1. Should the Bubble Caps be fitted tight against the plate, or should they have room to move up & down, to deal with a surge of vapour?

2. How high should the top of the downcomer be above the plate to create a suitable liquid bath? Is there some kind of calculation?

3. Do I need a pressure relief valve on the column? Why/why not?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I work my way through this process, but that's it for now. Cheers.

by **MacStill** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:33 pm

grehund wrote:Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, I haven't been able to find answers to these questions.

1. Should the Bubble Caps be fitted tight against the plate, or should they have room to move up & down, to deal with a surge of vapour?

2. How high should the top of the downcomer be above the plate to create a suitable liquid bath? Is there some kind of calculation?

3. Do I need a pressure relief valve on the column? Why/why not?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I work my way through this process, but that's it for now. Cheers.

1. Yes

2. 20 to 25mm works for me

3. No.... Your bubbler is open to the atmosphere
3a. Unless your running thick grain mashes there's very little chance of your plates blocking up, so an over pressure valve would only be needed if you intend doing that type of thing.

Cheers.

by **grehund** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:31 pm

Thanks McStill. I'm assuming your "yes" to 1 was "yes, they should be tight".

by **MacStill** » Thu Jun 28, 2012 10:39 pm

grehund wrote:Thanks McStill. I'm assuming your "yes" to 1 was "yes, they should be tight".

yes :))