I am Raghu
I have plans to setup a bd processing plant which I am currently working on. I have an idea to condense methanol vapors by using an automobile's condenser or a radiator. Has any one done this before? Which is preferable, a shell and tube or the transmission fluid cooler.
Please let me know.
Every one can share their views.
Thanks.

Yep, seems to work fine with a fan blowing across it.

You have a lot more control with a shell and tube than with a fan/radiator type. If you're not getting enough cooling with a tube in shell (relative to the amount of heating of the pot that you're doing), then you can always cool it more by speeding up water/coolant flow. You'd have a harder time with that with a radiator and are stuck with whatever cooling capacity you get. There are also issues with materials compatibility with methanol and some radiators, and low spots in some of them that aren't great for methanol recovery.

Hello Raften,
Did you have any previous experience with the fluid cooler and a fan? And do you know any condenser which is ready to buy and used for condensing the methanol vapors?Please let me know.
Thanks

Girl Mark,
I am trying to do 5 gallon bd/batch . I don't think I have to design a condenser for this small batch. What do you say? Any simple condenser which can liquify my methanol would work according to my knowledge. Can you suggest me a condenser where to buy?
I have no idea about the flow rate of the methanol coming out and the pressure of methanol to calculate the amount and flowrate of water required to accomplish the condensation. Please let me know how to calculate the coming out meoh.
Thanks,
Raghu.

I use the condenser from the refrigeration unit.
air cooled..

make sure the tubing is copper and the tubing will flow out by gravity. I have some HVAC coils that loop above the lower loop. so instead of making a nice 'S' from top to bottom it make a loop in the middle. avoid this kind

-dkenny