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Converting CO2 Tanks
So I scored this stainless Co2 storage tank on marketplace for dirt cheap. I was super excited because I’ve always had it in my head that I wanted one for my next boiler since they have a nice shape usually and a domed top. Guy says it’s just about 30 gal capacity, which is perfect because I’m mashing in 30gal barrels now so can strip an entire barrel in one run.Anyway, I loaded it up and drove it home. Was pumped on how heavy duty it felt. Literally heavier than I thought it would be. Well, got it home and started inspecting more and noticed the domed top had a thunk sound like it was solid if you knocked on it. Long story short, Co2 tank construction seems to be WAY different than I thought. From my research it looks like a tank inside a tank maybe? With an insulated jacket between that might even be in vacuum? So this kind of threw my plans in a mess because I was thinking I would just weld or braze a couple ferrules to the top like I did my keg build, a drain on the bottom, and two locations for heating elements, but that seems like it might be more of a pain than I thought because of having to weld or braze each wall to seal the inner tank around the ferrules? But then I also thought, this might be something I could use to my advantage? Maybe able to turn that space into a steam jacket or use the insulation to my advantage somehow?I don’t know… I’ll admit I have no clue what I’m dealing with now and just looking for advice from those smarter than I? Anyone ever have experience with these or something like it?Added a couple photos of my keg build which is what I thought I would be able to do with this tank.
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5 Replies
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Every image I find looks similar. Check out the drawing on this page. There’s another drawing on page 6 in this link.4″ VM Build
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It’ll most likely be a vacuum between the inner and outer walls, you could indeed build a steam or oil jacketed boiler with thatHowever it will require a bit of engineering and somebody who’s got good welding skillsas you’ll be modifying a pressure vessel and turning into an pressure vessalI’m not fat, I’m in shape….Round is a shape Getting old has whiskers on it !
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I acquired a double wall tank a while back, there was a gazzion layers of mylar between the jacket and inside tank.viewtopic.php?t=52667
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Good find Salt, I think that’s what I have going on. Only difference I can tell is looks like there is only one tube into the bottom of the inner chamber instead of the two. So either no “pressure building coil” or no “high phase line”.Black Bull, after tons of research and reading the last couple of days, that’s what I’m leaning toward. I would love to be able to mash, ferment, and distill all in one. BUT, I also learned I have many many many more questions and options to find answers to.After some measuring I have realized the inner chamber must be about 3.5” off the bottom of the outer chamber. I’m hoping I can fit a triclamp element in the bottom without too much time spent cutting and welding. Ideally cut one hole, weld fitting, and be done with that part.Shady, thanks for the link! I read through all 10 pages of your other project already and one of the others that were brought up in that same thread. viewtopic.php?t=59138. After seeing that thread you just posted, my question is, from your experience what do you believe the simplest way to separate the inner vessel from the outer would possibly be? For the sake of being able to remove that insulation and eventually fab other things up. I’m thinking cut around the weld at the “top section” and pray the whole outer shell can slide off from there? I have a good welding connection but would like to have to do as little as possible as at a certain point of hacking and cutting I believe I should have just built it from scratch.Thanks!
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Forgot to add, originally I was looking for something I could just pop an element into, add drain, and fitting on the top for my still head, and fire it up and get to work. But after going down the rabbit hole I now have these questions I need advice/answers to for those more experienced. I’ve always just “mashed” UJSSM sugar head in separate vessel, pump the liquid off the grain into boiler, strip into glass carboys, adding required backset back into fermenter for next UJSSM generation, then do a spirit run. Seems this possibly being Baine Marie style could open some things up, but pros and cons I guess?
- Is there a minimum amount of space or minimum volume of water required for a safe and effective water jacket Baine Marie setup? Not sure how much area is between the two chambers besides the 3.5” I’ve found on the bottom.
- Stupid question but, I would like to mash, ferment, and distill on grain all in one vessel – I would obviously need to remove all of the grain for the spirit run correct? So I would need a large opening somewhere to remove solids after stripping? Maybe 6” or so triclamp/endplate on bottom? Or 2-3” butterfly valve large enough?
- I’ve read there may be better flavor from mallaird reaction with direct heating? Is that for fire only or also immersed heating element? What about a Baine Marie with an element also in the boiler for once things get moving?
- Am I better off just putting element in the boiler and getting an agitator?
- What about avoiding all of the extra trouble and just throwing an element high enough up where it is above the grain after the wash finishes, surely it would still be low enough to stay covered at the end of a run? Would this avoid scorching?
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