ECI 33+ (3 Stage Cascade Worklog)
 

Here is the project log for my current refrigeration project. A 3 stage cascade for benching CPU's to their very max at the flick of a switch, no liquid nitrogen around here. Better. Adjustable STABLE temperatures without pouring or filling.

Sponsors:
ECions, Extreme CreatIons LLC
Maybe more to come? Who knows who might want to see their product get frozen over.



I joined (followed Buckeye actually) to share with you guys some current phase projects.
Hope you don't mind! :wave:

So here's some autocad!

Estimated Temperature: ;) <-- Ha like I'd tell you that ;)

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5355/northeast.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/5359/northwest.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/8343/southeast.jpg

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/2424/southwest.jpg

UPDATE JUNE12th.

Little update.
Got home today, gotta start unpacking a huge amount of stuff from school. But, ran down stairs, and threw some crap on the table.
Hope you enjoy.

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/120/eci33parts2.jpg

Some fairly sloppy grinding and heavy red krylon paint later,

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/765/0622092009.jpg

A milling machine! Richard got it into the workshop on this dolley of his. I was scared watching this thing jump up and down with each step. (Had to underinflate the tires on the dolley to take 300lbs safely)

Welding up a new work table, mainly for the project, but also for the milling machine.
Then we can start plotting the cage :)

http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/3205/0623091838.jpg

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/8387/0624092241.jpg

Table 1 done. Milling machine going on up tomorrow.

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/3509/0626090014.jpg

Winch + ceiling beam = Mill on Table!
I'm happy it made it, table seems more then okay, but conducts vibration a bit much.
Going to get some more MDF under it, get it all bolted down. And then figure out why the spindle ain't spinnin!

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/597/0630092229.jpg

Everything moved over, so time to start laying out parts.
Might have a lead on the condenser I'd like for this, so the front is a little empty.
Compressors that seem "used" are working pulls from my own personal cascade that well, I built and never got around to finishing. So they're brand new still.

Layout time.

Brazed the first suction stem on compressor numero uno. It's nice to do them like this, since they'll shoot straight up to the heat exchanger coils. Nice and easy to insulate.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6873/0701091913.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7853/0701092106.jpg

Heat exchanger time.
You can never have enough copper.

Making some fitting attachments.
Cleaned and shined;
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/2241/0701092213.jpg

Survey says...
OIL SEPARATORS!
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/2681/0701092217.jpg

Very nice man!!! Keep the pics comin.

It's Nice Pics NoL
Good Work Men Let's Some pic More

Let me explain this picture a bit.
It's fairly hard to shove one tube inside another tube. It's especially hard as the lengths required get long and longer. When making a heat exchanger using 3/16 and 3/8" tube, it becomes an exercise in insanity.

Both tubes must be nearly perfectly straight.
That means, even the tinyiest imperfections become a problem. As you begin to push one through, friction becomes a huge problem. Even a degree or two at a tiny spot pushes parts of the tube against the inside of the other tube.
This isn't a problem with performance, simply that it becomes impossible to push one tube in any farther. You must then withdraw it, figure out what's stopping you, touch it a tiny little bit, and try again.

My method involves 5 ft long steel beams and clamps.

Clamp the tubes straight as possible.

And try.

When your looking down a 20ft long barrel though, things get interesting.
This took 3 days.

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/9/0705092354.jpg

And bent on up.
20" by 12". 4 loops or so tall.
Should be adequate heat exchange. And nice and easy to insulate, I hope.

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/9324/0706090050.jpg

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/8...0706090113.jpg

Wow NoL awesome project you got going here :thumbup: Personal build or for someone else?

Just mine at the moment. Doubt anyone can afford this one :P

I can't afford any of this shat but somehow I keep right on buying..... pullhair

Ain't that the truth.

Just a guess but $3,000 about right?