Off Line Cooling System
Off line cooling system are a great way to improve machining efficiency and accuracy. They are also a great way to save up to 90% on electricity costs.
Idle systems can lead to problems like microbiological growth, bio-fouling and corrosion which affect heat transfer performance and can result in high head pressures, high electricity costs and short chiller life.
Cooling Capacity
Cooling systems are a key component in industrial processes. They are used to reject heat from the process to ensure that it runs at specification. The cooling system’s ability to reject the required amount of heat is determined by its capacity. The cooling system’s capacity is defined by a specific formula and is measured under standard conditions, such as water delivery temperature and ambient temperature.
The cooling capacity of the system is calculated using the change in the enthalpy of the refrigerant in the evaporator caused by the refrigeration load multiplied by the rate at which the chiller delivers water. Manufacturers typically list the cooling capacities for specific liquids, such as water and ethanol.
This formula is not a reliable indicator of the cooling capacity of a cooling system. This is because the capacity is influenced by external factors such as insulation, fluctuation in facility water and ambient temperatures, and maintenance issues. This is why a systems approach is needed to identify potential efficiency gains and improve performance.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is one of the most effective and least expensive ways to reduce energy waste and cut energy costs. Energy-efficient appliances and buildings use less energy to perform the same tasks and produce the same or better results. This reduces energy bills for consumers and businesses and helps fight climate change, improve air quality, meet family budgets, and enhance business competitiveness.
Space cooling accounts for a large share of electricity consumption worldwide, and increasing its efficiency can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The MIT system uses passive cooling, sending cool water to the hottest part of existing air conditioning systems, which in turn lowers their energy use.
ISG’s detailed review of the plant included logging 1 minute trend data for critical cooling controls functions including overall on / off control, chiller rotation selection, and system high load response alarming. The plant is also able to utilize free cooling, further reducing energy consumption and associated maintenance costs.
Noise Level
Cooling systems emit a high amount of noise, which can be problematic for the operation and surrounding community. Some cities have bylaws that limit outdoor equipment sound levels. Engineers must be aware of these requirements when selecting cooling equipment to ensure that they don’t exceed bylaw limitations.
When designing a system, it’s critical to work closely with mechanical equipment suppliers to design acoustical treatments that achieve required sound reductions without degrading the performance of the equipment. The engineering team at Kinetics Noise Control (KNC) is well versed in working with mechanical equipment manufacturers to design acoustical treatment to meet these requirements.
KNC worked with the manufacturer to test a pair of induced draft, counterflow, evaporative cooling towers. Testing results were based on both near-field and far-field measurements. The data showed that the towers would produce 67 dBA of noise at the nearest resident. This was projected to be significantly higher than the existing daytime and nighttime ambient noise ordinances.
Maintenance
One day in the middle of a heat wave, a cooling tower fan motor breaks down. That means the data center occupants are hot, sweaty and uncomfortable until someone can get the unit serviced.
For best results, the data center infrastructure support systems that cool critical IT equipment should be maintained by original equipment manufacturer (OEM) factory-trained and certified technicians with experience working in the specific system. A preventative maintenance program should include inspection of air filters and blower drive systems; compressors, facility fluid and piping; and evaporator coils.
To keep cooling system components in top condition, flush and drain low-flow pipe runs and dead legs on a weekly basis. Circulate water three times a week to maintain proper water treatment program levels and disinfectant residual. Also, during wet system standby, implement automated blowdown to maintain proper water quality. In addition, consider using potable water for system blow down and balancing the operating times among cooling tower cells in an open loop system.