New alteration to my HERMS

[highwayman]

Since I started using HERMS in my brewery I have been having problems with my March May MMP Pumps failing :cry:
After carrying out tests I found the problem was due to the fact that after I finished the mash, I turned off the pump to change the silicone pipe from the Mash Tun to the HLT to Sparge liquor into the Mash Tun! When I turned the pump back on..it would not work due to the stickiness of the wort :hmm:

To overcome this I fitted a ‘T’ section on the silicone pipes from the Mash Tun and the HLT. I also fitted a single ball valve on the section coming from the Mash Tun. So at the end of the mash, I run off the wort and at the same time I open the HLT and the liquor mixes with the wort thinning it out. I allow sparge liquor to run into the pump for fly sparging and then I close the ball valve from the Mash Tun which cured the problem :thumb:

However, I still had a problem….When I close the ball valve on the Mash Tun to connect the silicone pipe to Pump 2… As soon as I opened the MashTun to pump out the wort into the boiler, I found that grains were sucked through into Pump 2 and the pump became clogged with grain!!

So ..here is my solution
I have bought myself a 3 Way Stainless Steel Ball Valve with Left port from here!
http://www.valves-online.co.uk/acatalog/three_way_ball_valve.html
I have fitted cam locks on both ends that connect to silicone pipes and a different type of cam lock that fits into the camlock on the Mash Tun!!

I have removed the single Valve from the Mash Tun to the ‘T’ section (as its no longer necessary).

The new process is… I leave the ball valve open on the Mash Tun ALL the time..The wort runs through the HERMS for 90 mins..at the end of the mash I keep the wort running to mix with the Sparge Liquor and then I turn the L port on the ball valve to the left and the clear wort runs down into pump 2… I adjust the ball valves on both the Boiler and Mash Tun for Fly Sparging :thumb:

Here’s some picts of new valve in action!
HERMS Normal Recirc

This is the first run off and last the wort going into pump at sparging time. You can see the clear wort going into pump 2 and into the boiler

So that's it

 

[unclepumble]

Now that looks like a whole heap of money in a small area! :shock:

Looks good though....................Pass me a kleenex.


UP

 

[Cussword]

:thumb: Simples
Well thought out :clap:

 

Bet you'll be using motorised valves next :whistle:

 

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Problem sorted brew buddy :thumb:

 

[highwayman]

You're right UP..It was expensive..but it saves buggering up the Pumps :lol: I'm very pleased BB /ericst

The next thing I need to do is fit an on-line filter into the silicone tube from the Mash Tun to Pump 1 ..as I'm getting grain into the pump when I recirc using my HERMS .. its also collecting in the elbow nearto where I have located the Pt100 2" probe and slowing the recirc process and sparging down

I have this 5" Filter..

I am thinking about trying it to see if it will cure the problem...I will experiment with it in my Forum Christmas brew in a couple of weeks time :hmm: