[hopfenundmalz]

For best chilling you want to maximize the area, maximize the Delta-T, and maximize the flow.

If you flow over about 1 quart/minute, you probably have turbulent flow in the chiller - got that from the HBD a long time ago. Turbulence mixes the cooling water, so you don't have a stratified temp inside the coil.
You also need to get the wort moving to keep it from being stratified.

This looks like a gimmic to me.

[a10t2]

If you flow over about 1 quart/minute, you probably have turbulent flow in the chiller

Assuming smooth tubing and neglecting any fittings, in order to have fully developed turbulent flow the minimum flow rate would be:

3/16" ID - 0.52 LPM
1/4" ID - 0.69 LPM
3/8" ID - 1.03 LPM
1/2" ID - 1.38 LPM

[hopfenundmalz]

Ah you young guys that can still remember Fluid Dynamics!

Thanks Sean, will have to remember those numbers.

Edit - Actually the "over 1 quart/minute" was a pretty good approximation. Good to have the numbers though.

[hop 2 it]

Hey guys,

Just thought I would chime in on this because I own one of these chillers.  I am actually really happy with it so far, and the chill times are pretty good.  I bought it for the water saving aspect and it does what they say.  I noticed they have some interesting videos on youtube http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_awMmEumIHpOTc0CSDvm4Q with some really fast chillers on there...

[yugamrap]

For best chilling you want to maximize the area, maximize the Delta-T, and maximize the flow.

If you flow over about 1 quart/minute, you probably have turbulent flow in the chiller - got that from the HBD a long time ago. Turbulence mixes the cooling water, so you don't have a stratified temp inside the coil.
You also need to get the wort moving to keep it from being stratified.

This looks like a gimmic to me.

^^^ THIS! ^^^

I think the design of the chiller being discussed would probably interfere with stirring or getting a decent whirlpool going more than a "standard" coil chiller would.  It might also make using a hop bag or hop spider more difficult. 

[hopfenundmalz]

In the video he is shaking it up and down the whole time.

That increases the heat transfer to the wort, like stirring or whirlpooling.

Blichmann says 5 minutes to chill 10 gallons with the therminator.