Terpenator Column Heat

[SDgrower]

So I was curious how many Terpenator users are running column heat. What do you find works best, and do you use a thermostat to control how much heat is applied to the column. Thanks in advance

 

[rb extractors]

Not sure it is really needed for the IIIa, or were you talking about the larger unit?

 

[SDgrower]

Not sure it is really needed for the IIIa, or were you talking about the larger unit?

Yeah I was talking about the IIIa. If memory serves me correctly I believe GW is using a deicing cable on his IIIa column

 

[rb extractors]

I might be wrong, but I think he uses it on the bigger units he runs. He runs outside and I think the inclement weather makes it more of a necessity. Hopefully he will chime in

 

[Permacultuure]

Column heat is only needed on larger diameter columns...4" is when I started using heat. Even 3" columns don't really need it, maybe if your doing production. The smaller machines have no problem recovering the butane in the material in a timely manner. ime

 

[Kcar]

A hot wet hand towel works great.

 

[Gray Wolf]

So I was curious how many Terpenator users are running column heat. What do you find works best, and do you use a thermostat to control how much heat is applied to the column. Thanks in advance

We run column heat on all of the Terpenators except the Mk III.

The amount of improvement depends on the size columns and how much heat.

Using 150F from silicone heat mats and a PID controller with Type K thermocouple, we shaved 30 minutes off the Mk V recovery cycle.

We shaved less time off the Mk I and II, but they used pipe heat wrap, which only got warm to the touch.

 

[nakadashi]

We run column heat on all of the Terpenators except the Mk III.

The amount of improvement depends on the size columns and how much heat.

Using 150F from silicone heat mats and a PID controller with Type K thermocouple, we shaved 30 minutes off the Mk V recovery cycle.

We shaved less time off the Mk I and II, but they used pipe heat wrap, which only got warm to the touch.

Is the PID necessary? I thought that when heating the column during final recovery more heat = faster. Is there an ideal temperature that the column should be set at?

 

[RHH]

Is the PID necessary? I thought that when heating the column during final recovery more heat = faster. Is there an ideal temperature that the column should be set at?

The heaters are made to be wired into a temperature controller. Without one they would reach Max temp and burn out. You could use a dimmer switch or a variac(what I'm accustomed to) but a PID controller is a nice cheap option that has alarms, a digital readout, etc.

GW, how are you with the 2.5watt/in2 pads? The 5watt is the same price... but I'd need a heftier controller to drive it.

 

[Gray Wolf]

Is the PID necessary? I thought that when heating the column during final recovery more heat = faster. Is there an ideal temperature that the column should be set at?

You don't have to have a PID controller, only a Variac or potentiometer. On the other hand, you can set the temperature and walk away, especially important where the heat/refrigeration load changes a lot during process.

We started at 150F and will experiment to 250F, but have no special number in mind.

 

[Gray Wolf]

The heaters are made to be wired into a temperature controller. Without one they would reach Max temp and burn out. You could use a dimmer switch or a variac(what I'm accustomed to) but a PID controller is a nice cheap option that has alarms, a digital readout, etc.

GW, how are you with the 2.5watt/in2 pads? The 5watt is the same price... but I'd need a heftier controller to drive it.

The 2.5 W/in2 heat up to 150F about three minutes with nothing in the column, and about 14 minutes with it full of butane soaked material.

Though flexible end to end, the 2.5W is starting to get stiff side to side, so forming a heavier one might be an issue.

 

[malendro]

Cheap column heat

Cheap column heat

I have not even started extracting yet, but part of my build includes adding column heat since I plan to run passive for a while.

I was looking at the silicone heating pads but they looked quite pricy and i think i might not have even seen one with nice dimensions. I started looking at heating pads and came up with this solution.


-Sunbeam XpressHeat: 15$
-Its about 11"x24" and very flexible
-Wattage is unknown
-It Heats an empty 1.5"-2ft column to 150F in 1hour (ends capped)
-Room temperature during testing was 71F
-exterior surface temp was about 100F so some insulation would help

Pic with displayed setup and measurements:

 

[Dab Strudel]

What kind of controller should one get for the 2.5w or the 5w? I also never got am answer about when I would know the tane is out of my colmn so I can change it out without losing my butane... ive lost alot in 10 runs so I dont want to make a habit of wasting it.

 

[malendro]

If you are using a scale. That might show you that the butane is out of your column. It would show as more weight in your refrigerant tank.

As for control, a PID is not expensive and you can probably set an ebay one for 50$ Including a couple of trips to home depot and radioshack.

On the other hand, you can look in amazon for a "Johnson Controls Digital Thermostat Control Unit" for $70.

It is precise to 1F controlling my warm water baths, but it probably doesn't have the fancy math and algorithms that make a PID a PID.

However, it should be enough for our application as long as your heater uses a 120VAC plug at some point.

I just have never played with them silicone heaters before so i dont know if they operate on DC or AC or whatever.

I dont think PIDs discrimate voltage since they just open or close relays

 

[Dab Strudel]

Nice, a looksee at one told me what I needed to know. I have a sight port on my lid so I dont use a scale, I can see when its all gone. Im trying to figure out how I can change off my column before I hit -22, this way I can pack it, put it back on in time to vac down and run another column. I guess it wont matter when my columns come in, but until then im trying to not have to add an extra 10 mins on my already ~1:15 long runs

 

[Chonkski]

Nice, a looksee at one told me what I needed to know. I have a sight port on my lid so I dont use a scale, I can see when its all gone. Im trying to figure out how I can change off my column before I hit -22, this way I can pack it, put it back on in time to vac down and run another column. I guess it wont matter when my columns come in, but until then im trying to not have to add an extra 10 mins on my already ~1:15 long runs

When using the 1.5"x24" column, I use a heat gun for breaking the ice and evaporating any trapped butane in the column. I typically switch columns after hitting 0psi, sometimes down to -5"HG with minimal butane loss.

From start to column switch takes about 40min with three vents from the top, and a dump/shower..

 

[G.O. Joe]

Aren't any of the heating tapes a viable option?

 

[SkyHighLer]

We run column heat on all of the Terpenators except the Mk III.

The amount of improvement depends on the size columns and how much heat.

Using 150F from silicone heat mats and a PID controller with Type K thermocouple, we shaved 30 minutes off the Mk V recovery cycle.

We shaved less time off the Mk I and II, but they used pipe heat wrap, which only got warm to the touch.

If someone would post pics and a detailed description of the silicone heater/controller setup for those that need the encouragement before playing engineer, I'm offering a big thank you in advance! Let's keep this train a rolling gentlemen...

 

[Roji]

I dont have any pics of the set up but I use a refrigerant bottle silicone mat heater with a built in 125f thermostat for column heat. I twist it around the column kinda like a candy cane stripe and hold it in place with velcro straps I made.

Works well but was like $125 on amazon.ca

 

[Lono]

Water jacket on column? I'm a little nervous about using temps higher than 100-110*