The KF 1/6BC brewing glycol chiller from UBC Group is a great choice for small- to medium-volume homebrewers. Despite its compact size (W18xD21xH12 inches) and weight (58 lbs gross), it is designed to work well with jacketed fermenters and brite tanks also allowing cold crashing.
In addition to a 6.6-lb ice bank and a 1/6 hp compressor, this particular model features a digital thermostat allowing you to control the temperature individually for 2 product lines. The maximum distance is 25 feet.
How to calculate the size of a brewery/fermenter glycol chiller:
In order to calculate the size of the fermenter glycol chiller you need, you need to know:
1) You need to determine the bbl of your brewery 10 bbl, 20 bbl etc. If you brewing 10 barrels of beer at a time means you have a 10 bbl system.
2) Second you need to determine the pull down, also called crashing. Pull down occurs when the temperature of your fermenter drops. The other factors you must know in order to size your chiller are as follows:
Calculate the Pull Down Load:
(1 bbl = 31 gallons)
ex: 10 bbl tank = 310 gallons
Use the assumption we have four, 10 bbl tanks
310 x 4 = 1,240 gallons
ex: 310 x 8.33 = 2,582.30 pounds
This is often 75°F – 34°F = 41°F
ex: 2,582.30 x 41 = 105,874.30 Total BTU
ex: 105,874.30 /24 = 4,411.42 (BTU/HR)
This is the BTU/HR required for your pull down process. It is not uncommon for brewers to add 10 – 15% to this number to accommodate for extra heat being added by the pumps, unexplained heat loss or other inefficiencies.
Calculate the Heat Load for Active Fermentation:
ex: 10 bbl’s x 15 = 150 bricks
ex: 150 bricks x 280 BTU = 42,200 BTU
70 hours is typically the amount of time that the majority of heat gain from yeast occurs, even if/when the fermentation period is longer than 75 hours.
ex: 42,200/70 = 600 BTU/HR
This is the TOTAL BTU/HR’s Needed for Active Fermentation
Add the pull down load and the active fermentation load together for the total BTU/HR load
ex: 4,411.42 (BTU/HR) + 600 BTU/HR = 5,011.42 BTU/HR
For this example, a chiller capable of providing a minimum of 5,000 BTU/HR @28°F Leaving Glycol Temperature would be required.
If you haven’t found an item or part you are seeking for don’t hesitate to contact our managers on email sales@beveragecraft.com to inquire about the availability. We have new arrivals each week and are always here to help.
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