dmachado
Member
- Joined
- 2 May 2013
- Messages
- 46
There is something going on with my CO2 system I'd like to see explained f possible.
I have set up a system which uses DIY molasses and yeast CO2 bottles, 6 of them, controlled by a solenoid. The system shuts off on lights out, but of course the yeast keeps producing CO2.
The molasses fermentation is very strong, here’s a photo:
I managed to control the storage and blowoff of excessive pressure, and it gets up to 1 bar before lights on. The system is now tuned almost to perfection.
To control the bursts of CO2, I am using a small reactor like this one, but without the bioballs:
CO2 is injected from the top, water is injected from the top side by a powerhead at 600l/h, and exits from the bottom side, only very few tiny bubbles can be seen here and there.
The interval timer opens and closes the solenoid, dosing the CO2, almost filling the reactor each time, without losses and no burping to the surface.
I observed that in the first fillings of CO2, the dissolution is very very fast, maybe 200ml of CO2 in a matter of seconds.
As the photoperiod advances, the CO2 system pressure drops, of course, and less CO2 is injected each time the interval timer opens the solenoid (about 1 second every 3 minutes).
My question: there is a buildup of gas in the reactor, lets say 50-100ml, that seems to be more difficult to dissolve than the first "fixes" on lights on. This gas burps away when the powerhead shuts off.
I estimated the number of pulses/opening the solenoid, and a decreasing volume from 200ml down to 10ml on the last pulse, and estimated a daily input of 15-20 liters of CO2 (about 30-40g of CO2?). For 300ml down to 20ml it would amount to 25 liters/50g of CO2.
I don't think I am reaching any kind of saturation using this method, maybe the gas in the reactor is not 100% CO2?
What may be that gas that remains undissolved in the reactor?
I hope I explained this clearly and would love to hear opinions on this.
Thank you.
I have set up a system which uses DIY molasses and yeast CO2 bottles, 6 of them, controlled by a solenoid. The system shuts off on lights out, but of course the yeast keeps producing CO2.
The molasses fermentation is very strong, here’s a photo:
I managed to control the storage and blowoff of excessive pressure, and it gets up to 1 bar before lights on. The system is now tuned almost to perfection.
To control the bursts of CO2, I am using a small reactor like this one, but without the bioballs:
CO2 is injected from the top, water is injected from the top side by a powerhead at 600l/h, and exits from the bottom side, only very few tiny bubbles can be seen here and there.
The interval timer opens and closes the solenoid, dosing the CO2, almost filling the reactor each time, without losses and no burping to the surface.
I observed that in the first fillings of CO2, the dissolution is very very fast, maybe 200ml of CO2 in a matter of seconds.
As the photoperiod advances, the CO2 system pressure drops, of course, and less CO2 is injected each time the interval timer opens the solenoid (about 1 second every 3 minutes).
My question: there is a buildup of gas in the reactor, lets say 50-100ml, that seems to be more difficult to dissolve than the first "fixes" on lights on. This gas burps away when the powerhead shuts off.
I estimated the number of pulses/opening the solenoid, and a decreasing volume from 200ml down to 10ml on the last pulse, and estimated a daily input of 15-20 liters of CO2 (about 30-40g of CO2?). For 300ml down to 20ml it would amount to 25 liters/50g of CO2.
I don't think I am reaching any kind of saturation using this method, maybe the gas in the reactor is not 100% CO2?
What may be that gas that remains undissolved in the reactor?
I hope I explained this clearly and would love to hear opinions on this.
Thank you.