Continuous steam generator

[bluc]

So I have a project in the works and this is part of it, this bit is a "continuous steam generator."
Idea is small amount of water for fast boil up times and being able to display I'll grain slurry without scorching. Most likely will make a steam wand for mashing also.
Here's a pic, video.

IMG_20250529_080505.jpg

https://youtu.be/BbnZsd0X9pU?si=2VDTMSqQgdaNHbZ2
https://youtube.com/shorts/ANWHYTIkfrU? ... n_9Y-B7551

3600w element.

Holds 8l water. 8mins to rolling boil 14mins to full steam. I plan to ad a educter to load a small amount of back pressure about 3psi. At moment it's running at atmospheric pressure.

[bluc]

@bryan any advice for safety as far as sizing the actuator goes? I have a 15psi prv and a pressure gauge will be here any day. I have been told around 3psi is good for our needs how can I calculate open area on a steam wand nozzle for specific tasks?
I will add a 5psi manometer before I add Pressure to the equation..

[bluc]

Ok so done some calculations and I want to run at about 3psi. I am told 5mm steam orifice is what I'm after.
I came up with my steam injection point for my still will be as follows. The brass will be replaced by stainless steel.

PXL_20250604_055225367.jpg

PXL_20250604_055345265.MP.jpg

[bluc]

Scrap the small orifice and runing it with pressure idea. Instead it will be atmospheric pressure. I will use a dual slant plate over a 1/2" pipe as steam wand at base of still.

[bluc]

Quick video of auto float valve working
https://youtube.com/shorts/3CoVUkg7Eo4? ... RXBrz8dqPQ

[Mr.Roughnutz]

i like it i was thinking of sumthing in this vain a wile back. was going to copy this guy.

https://youtu.be/I7g8KeUfxOs?si=XeLXYVFxbf19MpjU

[bluc]

Quick update steam generator plumbed into still more details on that soon.

https://youtu.be/-t49q6cPNlM?si=acOcSgsWyOeVUzpT

[The Stig]

I keep looking north for the mushroom cloud :laughing-rolling:

[bluc]

Keep an eye out :scared-eek: 8-} :teasing-neener:

[RuddyCrazy]

Bluc how about drawing up a schematic of the setup so can see how you have done it then we can look at the best way to go about it mate. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Honestly a flash boiler is the way to go as it is a ondemand setup and can be stopped in an instant if something goes wrong :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Cheers Bryan

[bluc]

Geez I'm shit at drawing it really is off the shelf tri clover fittings and a Cornelius keg. There is 8l water to 3/4 fill the sight glass that is level inside keg. The valve is an eBay off the shelf automatic water level valve. Like a carbie needle seat which just so happened is designed to work within spec of a boiler. There have been a few built a couple inside a tri clover spool like a 5star packed section. That bloke in particular has been a big help to me to get mine working, the balancing act of continuous feed of as needed water without killing the boil and steam was a challenge. I was just going to just copy his build but decided on slight variation and used a Corney keg. I can post up his build if you want. It's on hd. It's a work of art he has ton of vids on it as his build progressed.
This works. It will be used for mashing also.

[bluc]

I thought I would post the link it's got loads good info for anyone wanting to steam distill or mash. And he's a friendly bloke happy to help out.
https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=92012

[bluc]

Oh it uses a 3600w element. On two leads, the element is a twin,bar style element. Gives me 1800w a circuit one goes through a voltage controller.

[bluc]

Ruddy I tried a flash boiler through a rims tube with a very small amount of water constantly going to waste but I couldn't balance it and had heaps of issues.
This setup just works it has a safety prv at 7.5.psi and a gauge 0-15psi.
I am told mashing in a 44gal drum will result in about 3psi pressure max. About 2m water height. Currently researching steam mashing wand setups.

[hjubm2]

Would love to see how this could be scaled up. Been trying to work out how to heat my 1000L mashtun without spending thousands on a commercial steam generator... good work Bluc, always good to have someone giving the rest of us new ideas/inspiration on how to spend our money :laughing-rolling: