Recovery Unit, Butane Tank for Lil' Terp Style System

[Gray Wolf]

I pick them up from RDS refrigeration supply. Sorry no part number and the units are at the lab.

They come in different lengths and connections. We use short ones with a 1/4 flare female inlet and a 1/4 flare outlet to protect the pump and larger ones when we need to remove water.

 

[Gray Wolf]

Yeah, I imagine I would not need an 80% full 50lb tank either.

So I also got the 6"x12" spool since they were out of the 6" by 6". I do have the possibility if cutting it in half and welding an end on and thus giving me the chance to make another lil terp in the future.

I picture 'swishing' the oil around in the collection spool/tank while recovering the butane in order to give the warm oil more surface area. Do you have any experience recovering out of the 6"x12" spool? And did you see a exponential difference in recovery time?

Not yet. The Mk IV has the 6 X 12" spools on their sides and hasn't been completed yet.

Sean did significantly reduce his recovery time by sectioning his Mk II stainless paint pressure pot, to cut the volume in half, and the Mk III cycles abut twice as fast as the Mk I and II from a speed standpont, because of its smaller tank and use of the same size pumps.

 

[Lebniis]

So I am stuck needing a few more items.

3/8 Refrigerant Hose
Inline filter for the hose
Can tapper (which I have no experience with using one, could use advice)

Any help sourcing these?

 

[Gray Wolf]

So I am stuck needing a few more items.

3/8 Refrigerant Hose
Inline filter for the hose
Can tapper (which I have no experience with using one, could use advice)

Any help sourcing these?

You can pick up all three at RSD or Johnstone refrigeration supply.

 

[Lebniis]

Is the use of a can tapper straight forward?


Grey, Have you posted on your site or elsewhere how to run the Appion to do a recovery from the Lil' Terp? I'd like some understanding of how far to open the ports. I imagine I would crack open the IN and have the OUT fully open, but then again I really have no idea. I'm going to have to look over the manual again but I don't remember it being of much help for operation of the unit.

 

[Gray Wolf]

Ooops, this reply was for the Terpenator, so I have deleted it and will write one up for the Lil Terp. It is so simple that I just forgot!

In the interim, check out the Tamisium site for how passive recovery generally works http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvdedWvpUiU. Lil Terp works on all the same principles, the details just differ some.

 

[Gray Wolf]

Also http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zt0WGrb3YC0

 

[Lebniis]

 

[Lebniis]

Ooops, this reply was for the Terpenator, so I have deleted it and will write one up for the Lil Terp. It is so simple that I just forgot!

In the interim, check out the Tamisium site for how passive recovery generally works http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvdedWvpUiU. Lil Terp works on all the same principles, the details just differ some.

I understand how the passive recovery works. I'm wondering how to operate the Appion G5 in terms of valve operation. I am of the impression that if I open the valves on the Appion to quickly it may suck up the butane/oil mixture.

 

[Gray Wolf]

Gotcha! Except for testing, I leave both valves on the Appion wide open and throttle with the valve on the lower collection tank.

I open it slowly, but not gingerly and have a small filter dryer in front of the Appion, but inspection of that filter, reveals no oil to date.

In your application, I would also attach a compound pressure gauge by using either a tee, or using the top column port, so as to be able to tell what was going on inside the tank, without actually being able to see. The vacuum level will tell you whether there is remaining butane boiling off.

 

[Lebniis]

RSD has told me that it would defeat the purpose of having a 3/8" charging hose from collection chamber to recovery unit if there is a 1/4" hose from recovery unit to tank. Also the only applicable filter dryer was in 1/4" for the appion( which was purchased).

At this point I'm going to run the 1/4" hose from collection to recovery unit and hope for the best with the 12" spool.

RSD couldn't advise a can tapper for the butane cans and said they don't carry anything applicable.

 

[Lebniis]

Not yet. The Mk IV has the 6 X 12" spools on their sides and hasn't been completed yet.

Sean did significantly reduce his recovery time by sectioning his Mk II stainless paint pressure pot, to cut the volume in half, and the Mk III cycles abut twice as fast as the Mk I and II from a speed standpont, because of its smaller tank and use of the same size pumps.

I was imagining welding the ferrule into the side of a 6x12 spool, what do you think about that?

 

[Gray Wolf]

RSD has told me that it would defeat the purpose of having a 3/8" charging hose from collection chamber to recovery unit if there is a 1/4" hose from recovery unit to tank. Also the only applicable filter dryer was in 1/4" for the appion( which was purchased).

At this point I'm going to run the 1/4" hose from collection to recovery unit and hope for the best with the 12" spool.

RSD couldn't advise a can tapper for the butane cans and said they don't carry anything applicable.

The clerk at RSD is not correct. Using a 3/8" on the vacuum side speeds up the recovery. The air is thinner on the vacuum side and harder to pump, because the molecules are farther apart and don't have as much attraction to one another. If you bought the 1/4" recovery hose as a result, you have been led astray.

I've seen can tappers at the local RSD, but you can also easily find them on Amazon by Googling "refrigerant side can tapper."

 

[Gray Wolf]

I was imagining welding the ferrule into the side of a 6x12 spool, what do you think about that?

I don't see any issues with welding the ferrule to the side of the wrapper, instead of the end cap. One feature of having the cylindrical tank on its side, is that it has maximum surfacr area when half full, and as the volume diminishes, so does the surface area.

That has me tongue in cheek on how it will work, but I have to try and find out.

 

[Lebniis]

Great, making good progress with your help!

I'm going to attach the compound gauge atop the column once I am ready to vacuum.

Imagine this for a second and tell me if this sounds okay, or how to improve.

3/8" hose from collection chamber
Hose then is connected to 1/4" adapter to connect to dryer filter
Dryer filter connects to Appion


Also, I am seeing different can taps for different size cans. Piercing the side of a butane can makes me nervous, is that how they all work?

 

[JColtrane]

^if you want to pop open the butane can, chill on D/I for several hours. Once super chilled, can will be less pressurized and cracking them open would be any problem which make pouring out the butane possible. If you try to do this while the can is at room temp, it'll spray ever where!

 

[Gray Wolf]

Great, making good progress with your help!

I'm going to attach the compound gauge atop the column once I am ready to vacuum.

Imagine this for a second and tell me if this sounds okay, or how to improve.

3/8" hose from collection chamber
Hose then is connected to 1/4" adapter to connect to dryer filter
Dryer filter connects to Appion


Also, I am seeing different can taps for different size cans. Piercing the side of a butane can makes me nervous, is that how they all work?

My can tapper is adjustable to fit two different size cans. Yes they do pierce the side of the can, and if you do it wrong butane will spray everwhere.

There is actually a trick to it, and that is to puncture the can close to the bottom, where the can is stiffer, and opposite the seam.

I put the can in and apply slight pressure, before slightly rotating the can and closing the tapper tighter. It will pop through the side of the can as you twist, and instantly seal.

It is a touch, which you have to develop the hard way, because if you squeeze too hard, you will bend and distort the can, so that it leaks, and if you don't squeeze hard enough it leaks.

Make sure that you do it in an area without ignition sources........

 

[ghostmade]

good thread

 

[Lebniis]

Imagine this for a second and tell me if this sounds okay, or how to improve.

3/8" hose from collection chamber
Hose then is connected to 1/4" adapter to connect to dryer filter
Dryer filter connects to Appion

 

[Lebniis]

Can I use the can tap with a 4 foot 1/4" hose or should I grab a 1' hose?

Can tap goes in to the liquid or vapor port?