as I plan the bolting-together of the "BIG tank" (6 ft square in the horizontal dimensions, and 5 ft high= 1350 gallons or about 1200 after allowing for expansion) I also need to get my ducks in a row to plan/ design/ build the inlets and outlets so as to maintain stratification.
I am envisioning a large diameter vertical column in the horizontal center of the tank, with a divider at the vertical mid-point, and then a whole lot of rings of holes at bottom (cold) and top (hot) so that the flow, in or out, at top and bottom, in charging or discharging mode, is very low velocity, so as to help achieve and keep stratification.
4 inch schedule 80 (thick wall) PVC conduit is seeming like an excellent candidate for this "vertical baffle" IF but only IF it can take the sustained temperatures of up to 200F
conduit companies seem to specify 140 as about the limit for PVC conduit- but that presumes some need to maintain rigidity which can be less essential here than in self-supporting or suporting a bunch of wiring innards.
Anyone know the "absolute chronic long term upper temperature limit" of thick wall PVC?
or have any suggestions on pointing me to such info?
Thinwall stainless of 4 or 5 inch diameter is my next fall-back, but the PVC will be a WHOLE lot easier to drill all the little holes in if it will hold up to the temperatures
also, anyone have any suggestions on moderately flexible large (1-2 inch diameter) pipes from the baffle to the tank's side fittings? OR should I just break down, drive a dagger through my wallet, and use copper ;(
Thanks!
I am envisioning a large diameter vertical column in the horizontal center of the tank, with a divider at the vertical mid-point, and then a whole lot of rings of holes at bottom (cold) and top (hot) so that the flow, in or out, at top and bottom, in charging or discharging mode, is very low velocity, so as to help achieve and keep stratification.
4 inch schedule 80 (thick wall) PVC conduit is seeming like an excellent candidate for this "vertical baffle" IF but only IF it can take the sustained temperatures of up to 200F
conduit companies seem to specify 140 as about the limit for PVC conduit- but that presumes some need to maintain rigidity which can be less essential here than in self-supporting or suporting a bunch of wiring innards.
Anyone know the "absolute chronic long term upper temperature limit" of thick wall PVC?
or have any suggestions on pointing me to such info?
Thinwall stainless of 4 or 5 inch diameter is my next fall-back, but the PVC will be a WHOLE lot easier to drill all the little holes in if it will hold up to the temperatures
also, anyone have any suggestions on moderately flexible large (1-2 inch diameter) pipes from the baffle to the tank's side fittings? OR should I just break down, drive a dagger through my wallet, and use copper ;(
Thanks!
