If this is more suited for the tech/misc section please move it. I wasn't sure were to post.

I am currently converting a air compressor air/water separator into a catch can.



I have three designs in mind and was hopeing for a more technical opinion on what i have come up with. Any criticism or ideas on how to improve the design are welcome.


Design #1
Run a tube straight down the middle. With about 3 rows of holes drilled at the bottom. Then fill the bottom of the canister around the tube with steel wool.


Design #2
Run a tube straight down the middle. With about 3 rows of holes drilled at the bottom. Then fill the tube with steel wool. In order to use this design i would have to reverse the recommended direction of flow through the separator to keep wool out of my intake. I am not sure how that would affect performance, though many catch cans vent into the middle like this.


Design #3
Run a tube straight down the middle. With about 3 rows of holes drilled at the bottom. Then run another tube slightly larger around it slightly longer in length. Also with 3 rows of holes drilled at the bottom. About an 1/8 - 1/4 inch between the two tubes on every side. Insert steel wool between those two layers. This design could flow either direction in theory. Although i am sure one would be more effective than the other.

 

why don't you just buy a real one?...

 

Three reasons:

I like to make things myself...

The ones you buy are generally not very good. Unless you spend alot of money.

This has been free so far.

 

Well, I don't see steel wool or baffling helping that oil water separator separate oil and water.

But what it probably won't do well is relieve crankcase pressure.

Just my thoughts.

 

It will hookup up to the intake manifold, and be pulled by vacuum from the PCV. The steel wool is to increase surface area for the oil to gather on. The baffling is to increase the distance the gas must travel to get back into the manifold. Ive taken all these ideas from production catch cans. The tubing i am using and in/out holes on the catch can are all at least 1/8 inch bigger than the old PCV line. So i am curious as to why you think it wouldn't effectively vent crankcase pressure?

 

Instead of steel wool use those shower fluffa things that bishes use.

I put like 10 in my catch can. I dont think youre supposed to use a pcv valve. The motor is boosted right?

 

I wouldn't use those either, I don't trust them to not be affected by the solvent characteristics of the gas and oil fumes.

Stainless kitchen scrubbers will do the job nicely though, without rusting:

Chore Boy - Ultimate Scrubber, Stainless Steel

**Not just for crackheads anymore!

 

Shower fluffies seem like a good idea, but they are petroleum based plastic so not sure how they would hold up in oil. No i am not running boost just trying to keep the motor healthy and learn a few things along the way. If i were running boost i would have done away with the PCV and ran an open atmosphere setup.

^ Now thats what i call comedy, SS seams like a good idea aswell

Thanks for some real input guys