Scorching Summer Ahead: Prepare Your Chillers for High Temperatures

Scorching Summer Ahead: Prepare Your Chillers for High Temperatures and Discover our Cutting-Edge Load Monitoring Solution

We are likely to be in for a hot summer – whether it be the ‘African Plume’ or ‘El Nino’.?Two of the two out of the top five daytime temperatures ever recorded in the UK were recorded last year.?The BBC met office and other forecasters believe 2023 will be hotter.?

What impact does this have??

Figures are based on a standard IP 151 chiller with standard fans and R410a refrigerant.??

Compared with the standard max ambient:

At 35C -

• Standard conditions 12C in and 7C out gives 32.1kw uses 10.6kw
• At 20c in and 15c out 39.9kw and uses 11.4kw

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At 25C -

• Chiller performance is enhanced by 12%
• While power is reduced by 15%
• At 20c in and 15c out chiller performance is enhanced by 12%
• Power consumption reduced by 18%

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At 43C

• Chiller performance is reduced by 19%
• While power used is increased by 15%
• At 20c in and 15c out chiller performance is reduced by 9%
• Power consumption enhanced by 13%

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Consider this if you're in the South of England compared to our friends in Scotland!

Understand that ambient will only be a reference point for chillers placed outside in good airflow.?Chillers inside a room or factory will be subject to that area's ambient temperature.??

Chillers are not rated to operate in more than 40C ambient.?

If they continue to run, the chillers will be derated to between 9% and 19%.??

What can you do?

1. Check airflow: Ensure that there are no obstructions blocking the airflow around the chiller. Clear any debris or objects that might hinder the airflow and ensure proper ventilation.

2. Increase ventilation: If possible, provide additional ventilation or install fans to enhance the airflow around the chiller. This can help dissipate heat more effectively and prevent overheating.

3. Reduce ambient temperature: Lower the ambient temperature around the chiller by using air conditioning or opening windows and doors to allow cooler air to circulate. This can help alleviate the strain on the chiller and reduce its operating temperature.

4. Optimize maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain the chiller to ensure that it is running at its optimal performance. Clean the coils, check refrigerant levels, and inspect for any leaks or malfunctions. Well-maintained chillers are more efficient in delivering cooling.

5. Use auxiliary cooling methods: Employ additional cooling methods such as portable air conditioners, cooling fans, or evaporative coolers near the chiller to assist in reducing the temperature. These supplementary cooling devices can provide localized cooling and help alleviate the strain on the chiller.

6. Consider load reduction: If feasible, reduce the heat load on the chiller by minimizing unnecessary equipment running concurrently or adjusting operating schedules. By reducing the load, the chiller can focus its cooling capacity more effectively.?This may be done by running night shifts etc.??

It's important to note that these measures are temporary solutions and should not replace addressing any underlying issues with the chiller or seeking professional assistance if necessary. Regular maintenance and monitoring of the chiller's performance are crucial to ensure efficient and reliable cooling.

Refcool collaborates very closely with our clients to achieve these 3 things.

Do you know what load your chillers were specified for?

This is not an unusual question.?Most production sites are re-organised as products change and the chiller merely follows the machines they are cooling.?Rarely is time taken to ensure the chiller can still do the duty, or is efficient at doing the new duty.??

Our latest offering is a monitoring system that will record the performance of the chillers over a period of time such as a week.?This then allows an assessment to be made of the heat load requirement, the performance of the chiller, and the appropriateness of the chiller for the load.??

Recent examples of projects undertaken?

Monitoring installed on a 300kw water-to-water chiller that demonstrated the required load was less than 100kw.??

So replacement chiller was sized 1/3 smaller?

Monitoring installed on an 80kw chiller demonstrated that for more than 80% of run hours, the required load was less than 20%.?In specifying the replacement chiller the new chiller had variable capacity allowing it to run efficiently at 20% load.??Saving substantial energy and funding the cost of a new chiller with a payback of less than 1 year.

In summary, understand that monitoring chillers records the performance over time and assesses the heat load requirement and the appropriateness of the chiller for the load.

This helps our clients save substantial energy costs and ensure the chiller operates efficiently.

We find a lot of chillers being oversized for their task, with the right chiller, an installed performing service chiller will lead to energy savings and cost-effective chiller replacements.

Reach out to me, Jon Keyte here at Refcool. More than happy to have a conversation to help and guide you through the process of researching and identifying the right chiller and package for you and your company and organisation.

New IPAB Chiller range with R454B refrigerant

R454B is a new-generation, low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant that offers several benefits compared to other refrigerants. One of the main advantages of R454B is its significantly lower GWP compared to high-GWP refrigerants such as R404A and R410A. This makes it an ideal choice for companies seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and comply with environmental regulations.

R454B also offers excellent energy efficiency, which can help reduce energy costs for businesses. It's high cooling capacity and low compressor discharge temperatures make it well-suited for use in a variety of applications, from commercial refrigeration to air conditioning.

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In addition, R454B is non-toxic and non-flammable, making it a safe and reliable option for use in a range of systems.

Overall, R454B offers a range of benefits that make it an attractive option for companies seeking a low-GWP, high-efficiency refrigerant that is both safe and environmentally friendly.

Jon

See more at Chillers - Refcool Refrigeration Ltd

Call us today at 01489 797 100