Using a pump with filtration instead of a syphon

[ontor]

Well, my first brew is finished and is constant at 1.010 so its now in the pressure keg.

Having used a syphon this first time I found it added complexity to the procedure that need not be entertained. Don't misunderstand me, i'm more than capable of operating a syphon and getting an accurate delivery but I believe in improving things.

And so it is that from the next brew that I put on, I will use an electric pump for this job.

I will source a suitable 12 volt pump and make a self contained pumping unit that can be transported to where it is needed.

Also, there was a good deal of suspended yeast in the brew, I expect this is normal, would it be wise to filter this in subsequent brews or is this muck needed for the secondary? I could incorporate a filter into the pump system if necessary.

Looking forward to trying the first one in a couple of weeks

:

 

[wezil]

Hi, im far from an expert but most 12v pumps work with spinning vanes (impeller) inside the pump housing, and so cause a degree of shear in the pumped liquid. As far as beer and wine go this is always seen as a bad thing as it can introduce oxygen to the brew. This can result in oxidization and possible taste/ long term storage issues. And you mention complexity, and yet you are going to have to strip the pump every time to ensure it's clean of yeast etc! The suspended yeast will help in the secondary and should clear when the ferment finishes (or use finings).

 

[Springer]

Having used a syphon this first time I found it added complexity to the procedure that need not be entertained.
:

Good luck with the first brew Ontor. What did you find complex about a syphon ? :?
Keep it simple Getting a pump, sanitising it, connecting it up to electric, priming etc sound like hard work to me, against sanitising a bit of tube and sucking :) (Never mind what Wezil said, about shear forces :? )
If its not fast enough for you raise the level, or get a larger pipe, just keep it simple.
It can be a bit tricky toward the end of the process, ........but for a bucket fermenter you can make a simple wooden fixture to tilt the bucket and then clamp the tube to the side, before you start the process and then just sit back and let it do its thing KIS (don't like the last S)
S

 

[ontor]

Sound advice guys, maybe I am getting a bit exited.
The degree of complexity I found from holding one end of the (just visible) tube just above the gunge and operating the pin valve against the bottom of the pressure barrel with the other hand.

As an Engineer, I like to come up with solutions to problems to make the process as accurate and reliable as possible.

But I will probably use a tube for a bit longer :rofl:

Ontor

 

[tbert33]

Have you tried a syphon tube with a sediment trap on the end?

I use one and havent had any problems so far.

 

[Andyhull]

operating the pin valve against the bottom of the pressure barrel with the other hand.

Are you useing a little bottler on the end of your syphon tube to syphon into the keg?
If you are there is no need, remove it and let the liquid run out freely from the end of the pipe!

 

[wezil]

Hi Springer hope you like this explanation of shear forces in liquids! :

See also: Viscosity, Couette flow, Hagen-Poiseuille equation, Depth-slope product, and Simple shear

Any real fluids (liquids and gases included) moving along solid boundary will incur a shear stress on that boundary. The no-slip condition[3] dictates that the speed of the fluid at the boundary (relative to the boundary) is zero, but at some height from the boundary the flow speed must equal that of the fluid. The region between these two points is aptly named the boundary layer. For all Newtonian fluids in laminar flow the shear stress is proportional to the strain rate in the fluid where the viscosity is the constant of proportionality. However for Non Newtonian fluids, this is no longer the case as for these fluids the viscosity is not constant. The shear stress is imparted onto the boundary as a result of this loss of velocity. The shear stress, for a Newtonian fluid, at a surface element parallel to a flat plate, at the point y, is given by:

where
is the dynamic viscosity of the fluid; is the velocity of the fluid along the boundary; is the height above the boundary.
Specifically, the wall shear stress is defined as:

In case of wind, the shear stress at the boundary is called wind stress.
Many thanks to wikipedia (explained it better than me) :rofl: (can make liquids foam)!!!

 

[Springer]

Shear forces ............ :? :lol:
Yes lets make is complicated, don't see what ontar is using, but as mentioned a syphon with closed bottom, or simply a tube bunged up and a hole drilled across a few mill up works fine.
To complicate things and make it simple :? i have a piece of wood about 300 mm long with a curved bucket rest on the end, the other end is clamped at an angle in my workmate. Fermenter is tipped onto his fixture and the tube then clamped to the side. Easy and simple, wish I had a picture to post.
S