Heat exchangers, the great supporting players in industrial refrigeration.
The main goal of the refrigeration world is the transfer of energy, especially heat transfer. The efficiency of this transfer is of vital importance for refrigeration systems as it affects our energy consumption and can give us a competitive advantage over the competition.
The proper selection of heat transfer equipment, such as evaporators, air coolers, condensers, and heat exchangers, is essential for the overall energy efficiency of the plant. Although these equipment are not always considered the « core » of the installations, it is vital to size them correctly.
The key factor in selecting and sizing a heat exchanger is the thermal difference, known as ΔT (Delta T). Without this thermal gradient, there is no energy transfer between the two fluids in the system. The magnitude of ΔT will affect the required surface area for the exchange, the required airflow, and therefore, the cost and energy consumption of the equipment throughout its lifespan.
Heat transfer occurs thanks to the exchange surface and the airflow of the equipment. It is essential to pay close attention to the airflow factor when comparing equipment, as it directly affects power consumption. The more airflow an equipment needs for the desired heat transfer, the higher its energy consumption will be and the lower its initial cost. In this sense, it is often more economical to install fans with higher airflow than to increase the exchange surface, but this will result in higher operating costs for the equipment.
In the case of equipment that operates with a secondary fluid, the pressure drop of the refrigerant or heat transfer fluid in the circuit is taken into account. This factor affects the pressure required for fluid movement and, therefore, the energy consumption of the pumps that circulate it.
Investing in quality equipment provides a longer lifespan and lower operating costs over time.
If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Refrica, the best partner in refrigeration!
