Glycol Loop ... First or second?

[u/Artistic_Return_1091]

There will be a pressure bypass valve, pressure gauges, etc..

Sorry I have posted this before but actually going to re-pipe it this weekend since im adding a chiller and the two sets of 3 tanks. Basically I would just save a pipe on the second picture since there will only be 3 pipes coming from the middle row.

[u/oranjebeered]

The middle return leg on the second one is going to cause an imbalance in the system. It might not be big enough to notice depending on your headers and pump head. The first one would be the most correct one.

[u/GoodolBen]

First will work better and cost more in material.

[u/sailingthr0ugh]

First and it isn’t close

[u/cbowl300]

In the first setup, the 3 tanks furthest from the chiller, the incoming (purple) is coming off the return line (red)?

[u/SamTheBrewer]

First, FIFO

[u/Ningr861 → u/SamTheBrewer]

It’s not FIFO in glycol it’s FILO

[u/brewerbrendan → u/Ningr861]

Yep. First in last out.

[u/SamTheBrewer → u/Ningr861]

Interesting! like the pastry I presume ?

I usually number the tanks, so tank 1 is the first tank in and tank 1 is the first tank out joining the return

[u/brewzer → u/SamTheBrewer]

Agreed and don't forget to plumb your jackets in parallel and not in series

[u/kevleyski]

First seems better, equal pressure with shortest in longest out

[u/Nudletje]

But can we ask why not 2 rows?

[u/Artistic_Return_1091 → u/Nudletje]

There are other tanks! HLT, CLT, brewhouse on one of the sides (Just did not draw them)

[u/TiminOz]

If you send me an email address I can send you a glycol plumbing layout.

[u/tahmores101]

First. I feel like this is a roundabout vs a three way stop situation for the return flow. Yes it will cost more for the construction, but "traffic" is moving vs waiting their turn.

[u/i_aint_bobby → u/[deleted]]

Not OP, but what you correctly mention as being the goal is what the first drawing accomplishes. The first tank to receive supply, i.e. shortest supply path, is also the one where the return path is the longest.

[u/ThiccBoiCaddy]

Second for sure