Cooling Tower for Air Distribution

[Davey4000]

I have an 8 foot long section of WC281 circular waveguide (copper) that I would like to fabricate into a cooling tower coming off of my compressor. This copper tube is almost 3" in diameter. It has flanges on both ends with grooves for o-rings, which I have as well. It can easily be made air tight by bolting a piece of flat plate to each end.

My only question is how do I get air tight fittings fabricated into the flat plates on each end for the input and output of the cooling tower? I'm thinking I could weld an iron bushing into each plate, but I'm not sure about the air-tightness of the welded joint. I'm planning 3/4" input and output from the tower.

Also, provided this works, I would like a drain at the bottom of the tower. Would it be inefficient for the air supply to be coming in at the 90 degree leg of the tee with the drain coming off the straight through leg?

Ideas appreciated.

 

[Mike of the North]

If you make the end plates thick enough you should be able to drill and tap for a pipe fitting. I would also use high strength nuts and bolts to hold the end plates on.

 

[Davey4000]

Excellent idea Mike. Funny how we often don't think of the simple things.

 

[porcupine73]

Hm...would some appropriately sized 150# or even 300# pipe flanges work?

 

[Steve in Mi]

Not being familiar with the WC281 I'll ask if it can take the pressure of your air system?
I had planned to do something similar with this standard fin tube like used in hot water home heating systems.

I purchased the fin tube but that is as far as I have gotten on this project.

I hope you will share some photos of your system as you proceed.

 

[Davey4000]

porcupine, another good idea, if I can find a place to purchase threaded pipe flanges close to the right size.

Steve, I'm not sure of the thickness of the WC281, but I know it is much thicker than copper water pipe. The fin tube looks like a good idea, but I like the idea better of not having to purchase it.

I will definitely post some project pictures, but it will be a while. I still have to finish wiring the garage, install wall boarding and some other stuff before I can plumb my compressor. My progress is very slow. I had knee replacement surgery 4 months ago, I work out-of-town, and have to spend most of my two weekends at home per month with DW. I'm glad to be in a position to be accumulating some "stuff", but it's driving me crazy not to be able to start using it in earnest.