Cooling 2 kettles - will this work?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the cooling of two kettles containing boiling aqueous solutions using a single pump and cooling coil. Participants explore the dynamics of liquid exchange between the kettles and the implications for cooling efficiency, particularly in the context of potential adverse chemical reactions if the kettles are not cooled quickly.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the increased "head" from the second kettle would allow more liquid to flow to the tee, potentially affecting the cooling process.
  • There is uncertainty about the implications of having only one pump and one cooling coil, with some participants asking if this setup allows for mixing the liquids without issues.
  • One participant clarifies that the cooling coil has water in and out and is too heavy to move, while noting that there is no exit in the second kettle.
  • Concerns are raised about how to achieve cooling in kettle 1 if the pump exit cannot be moved, leading to questions about liquid exchange between the kettles.
  • Some participants speculate on whether the levels of liquid in both kettles will remain the same or if one kettle will fill up, with references to theoretical principles such as Bernoulli's principle.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the behavior of the liquid levels in the kettles and the effectiveness of the cooling setup. There is no consensus on whether the second kettle will fill up or if the levels will remain equal, indicating ongoing uncertainty and exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

The discussion is limited by assumptions about the symmetry of the setup and the behavior of the liquids under the given conditions. The lack of an exit in the second kettle and the fixed position of the cooling coil may also influence the outcomes discussed.

Octavius
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Brew kettles.jpg


The two kettles contain a boiling aqueous solution. They must be cooled to room temp as fast as possible (otherwise adverse chemical reactions will take place). Only one pump and one cooling coil are available.

It would seem the second kettle would fill up. However, would the increased "head" then allow more of the liquid from this kettle to flow to the tee, at the expense of the liquid from the first kettle? Thus equalizing the height of liquids in the two kettles.
 
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They must be cooled to room temp as fast as possible (otherwise adverse chemical reactions will take place).
How to weight cooling stuff in kettle 1 versus cooling stuff in kettle 2?

Only one pump and one cooling coil are available.
Does that mean you can mix the liquids without any issues?
If not, what does the pump do?

Is the cooling coil connected to anything? Can you move it between the kettles?

It would seem the second kettle would fill up. However, would the increased "head" then allow more of the liquid from this kettle to flow to the tee, at the expense of the liquid from the first kettle?
Where is the point in the exit of the second kettle? Can you close it?

Thus equalizing the height of liquids in the two kettles.
If the setup is completely symmetric... could happen.
 
Sorry for the confusion.
The liquids are the same.
The cooling coil has water in and out (just didn't show it in the diagram).
Cooling coil is too heavy to move.
No exit in second kettle.
Setup is symmetrical.

I'm trying to cool both pots at the same time - I was hoping there would be sufficient exchange between the pots to accomplish this.

I thought it would be interesting (from a theoretical position) - will the second pot fill up or will the levels remain the same? If they remain the same will there be sufficient movement from pot to pot?

Thanks!
 
Can you move the pump exit? Otherwise I don't see how you want to cool kettle 1. Where would an exchange come from?
I thought it would be interesting (from a theoretical position) - will the second pot fill up or will the levels remain the same? If they remain the same will there be sufficient movement from pot to pot?
In your setup, if both valves are open, I think you pump some (probably small) amount of liquid from kettle 1 to kettle 2 until the system is in equilibrium (the pressure drop in the pipe cancels the pressure difference between the kettles), afterwards you are just circulating liquid in kettle 2.
 
Hmm, OK.
Back to the drawing board.
Thanks for the input!
 
Octavius said:
Sorry for the confusion.
The liquids are the same.
The cooling coil has water in and out (just didn't show it in the diagram).
Cooling coil is too heavy to move.
No exit in second kettle.
Setup is symmetrical.

I'm trying to cool both pots at the same time - I was hoping there would be sufficient exchange between the pots to accomplish this.

I thought it would be interesting (from a theoretical position) - will the second pot fill up or will the levels remain the same? If they remain the same will there be sufficient movement from pot to pot?

Thanks!

Levels would be the same. Think of Bernoulli
 

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