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Recovery Unit, Butane Tank for Lil' Terp Style System
- Thread starter Lebniis
- Start date
The recovery tank is pressurized and the pressure is a function of the amount of butane in the tank and the temp (higher temp higher pressure). The recovery tank is always pushing that pressure back at the Appion through the open Vapor port.
It is easier for the Appion to overcome the back pressure and push vapor back into the recovery tank when the pressure of the recovery tank is lower, and that is where the ice bath comes in.
The vacuum for new tanks is a good idea when you first fill, also burping out any air introduced in filling as GW suggested is a good idea.
It is easier for the Appion to overcome the back pressure and push vapor back into the recovery tank when the pressure of the recovery tank is lower, and that is where the ice bath comes in.
The vacuum for new tanks is a good idea when you first fill, also burping out any air introduced in filling as GW suggested is a good idea.
To fill the refrigerant tank (its new, with nitrogen in it still) I am going to pull a vacuum through the vapor port, closing the valve to hold the vacuum. I am then going to connect the output of the Appion to the vacuum port of the refrigerant tank, and the Lil' Terp collection chamber to the inlet on the Appion.
At this point I will begin filling the refrigerant tank through the top of the Lil' Terp column using a 1/4" line and can tap. Intermittently I will screw on a pressure gauge to check pressure. After a few cans I will turn on the Appion with open valves, open the Lil' Terp collection chamber valve, and then open the refrigerant tank vapor valve.
From what I understand this is the correct process. Does this seem correct?
Thanks you for joining in Hydrosun!
At this point I will begin filling the refrigerant tank through the top of the Lil' Terp column using a 1/4" line and can tap. Intermittently I will screw on a pressure gauge to check pressure. After a few cans I will turn on the Appion with open valves, open the Lil' Terp collection chamber valve, and then open the refrigerant tank vapor valve.
From what I understand this is the correct process. Does this seem correct?
Thanks you for joining in Hydrosun!
There is no vacuum as soon as you open the butane valves.
pull vac on new tank through vapor port.
Shut vapor port, connect Appion to Vapor port and open vapor port valve. The vac on the tank will not effect the Appion, and when you turn the Appion on to pump butane from the terp into the tank the vacuum will suck the butane into into the tank and now the tank will be under pressure from the butane
Can't wait to see the test run!!!!
Shut vapor port, connect Appion to Vapor port and open vapor port valve. The vac on the tank will not effect the Appion, and when you turn the Appion on to pump butane from the terp into the tank the vacuum will suck the butane into into the tank and now the tank will be under pressure from the butane
Can't wait to see the test run!!!!
One of our Appions started rubbing its fan against the case, but that is the only odd noise so far.
No rubber smell, just the smell of the oil.
The 2 lbs of butane suggested to run in the Lil' Terp, was that with a 12" column?
What would you suggest for a 24" column?
How can I minimize butane loss when disconnect the hose from the refrigerant tank after recovery? Right now I close the ball valve on the collection chamber, wait 5 min, close the refrigerant tank valve then shut off the appion. I feel like it needs longer to condense what is left in the hose.
What would you suggest for a 24" column?
How can I minimize butane loss when disconnect the hose from the refrigerant tank after recovery? Right now I close the ball valve on the collection chamber, wait 5 min, close the refrigerant tank valve then shut off the appion. I feel like it needs longer to condense what is left in the hose.
I think soup pot is your first investment. The butane pulls the heat out of that water like you wouldn't believe. I left the soup heater off for a few runs and had a NICE thick ring of ice around the recovery spool.
On the column heater I would suggest copying GW's design (coil heater wrapped around the column, and covered in metal tape).
On the column heater I would suggest copying GW's design (coil heater wrapped around the column, and covered in metal tape).
I would 2.7 lbs of butane. The 6" spool will only hold 3.4 lbs full, so 2.7 lbs would be maximum safe fill.
No good suggestions on saving butane when disconnecting, other than having the tank temperature as close to 30F as practical when you disconnect, and to use straight n-Butane, because Isobutane and Propane both boil at lower temperatures and will be under higher pressure..
Speaking of this, how tight do you tighten these clamps?? I would like to avoid this and that was my first thought while looking over averything, "Oh snap, better not over tighten and mess up my seals!"
We are still using our original Buna n seal, but have switched to Viton on new ones, to make it easier to keep clean using alcohol, which swells the Buna n.
They only need to be firmly hand tight.
