Re: Sparging

On Mon 15.May'06 at 21:58:04 -0700, Dave W wrote:

> Alexander Mikhailov wrote:
> > 
> > --- David Weinshenker <[email protected]> wrote:
> > >
> > > Biggest negative IMHO of the Lozano apparatus is
> > > using laboratory-style
> > > glass-bulb vacuum flasks, which seem like they could
> > > be a bit fragile at
> > > that scale...
> > >
> > 
> > He reports his design being used by some,
> > particularly, a japanese company. Here is the thing
> > which looks interesting: is it just "feels" unsafe, or
> > you have something to back up your feelings?
> 
> Mainly a concern about risk of damage during transport 
> and handling, and setting the system up in the field.
> 
> It just seems like it would be so easy to crack something...
> true, I'm sure it would be Pyrex or similar glass, but it's
> still glass. The system topology may have some merit but
> I just feel like the glass version would be awkward to set
> up safely - especially under limited conditions.

I think Juan's setup is designed more for the "lab" or "commercial"
operation where everything is nice, and neat and clean and someoe is
there 24/7 to check on things.

E.R.P.S., on the otherhand, is operating HTP equipment at the Rocket
Ranch, miles from "civilization" and where weekly trips out aren't
always consistant. We need something that can be started up Friday
night, run for hours unattended, and produce propellent for testing on
Saturday and/or Sunday. And then shut down for the next week (or more)
until we go out again. We're more an "on-demand" production
environment than a "continuous supply" one.

As for whether it's "feel" or "fact" - we've had and used glass items
at the Ranch for years and they ALWAYS break. We switch beakers,
flasks, hydrometers, etc because we found we'd get out there to do
stuff and some critical piece would break or be broken. It only takes
a few wasted weekends to develop a very healthy distrust of anything
fragile. 

But then, we may not be doing things the way you want to. If you've
got the $15K to spend and a stable, active area where the aparatus can
be monitored, by all means use Juan's stuff. For us, however, it's not
really an option.

    Michael

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Wallis  KF6SPF  (408) 396-9037  [email protected]  Y!: kf6spf

"The difference between theory and practice is much greater in practice
 than in theory."