Building a wort line manifold and using compressed air to clear lines.

[DerekDH]

Hey all, I have a homemade external counterflow chiller that doesn't quite hit 22C on the worts first run, so I have to recirculate the wort for a few minutes before getting it chilled sufficiently (assuming there's nothing clogged in the ball valve like last time). I am thinking on installing a manifold something like this:
http://m.homedepot.com/p/1-4-in-6-Port-Billet-Aluminum-Manifold-92820/203768023
With these valves screwed in:
http://www.austinhomebrew.com/Brass...P7UE-dtPSIpX96U7It4HMtgnpVBOHR7xF0aAsbu8P8HAQ.
My inlet would come from my boil pot, one valve would be dedicated to a compressed air hose to empty the lines when fully chilled (oxygenation bonus? Contamination risk?) This is my air compressor: http://m.harborfreight.com/air-tool...hp-125-psi-oil-lube-air-compressor-68740.html
Another line would go to the chiller, and yet another line would go to some tubing that'd flow into my fermentation vessel. Here are my questions:
Would this set up work? Could I blow the lines out with compressed air without contamination? What psi should I safely use in 1/4 and 1/2 inch tubing and copper pipe? Is there a cheaper and better way to do this? Other solutions? Thanks in advance!

 

[mcl]

I would get a filter for your air supply.

 

[The_Bishop]

If you're talking about using air from a compressor to chase out the last of the wort, there are better ways. Easiest is to brew big enough batches to take account for the losses in your system. The next easiest way is to chase the wort out with previously boiled water that you pour into the kettle just as the wort is finishing up.

Using air from a compressor is inherently risky. The air has a large chance of being oil contaminated, and there are a lot of parts that cannot be easily cleaned and sanitized, which could lead to infection.

Then there's the physical risk; if you pump air into the system and the wrong valves are closed, you could blow out a hose or worse still, some hard plumbing.

 

[mcl]

I actually agree with Bishop that it is a lot of work for very little benefit. The amount left in the chiller and hoses should be relatively small. However, I think you can get this to work if you want. I number of people use air compressors to aerate so if I were to go through the trouble I would get a stone to use as inline aeration as well.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=211464