In the September issue, we look at water cooling as a means of managing process temperatures.
Heater/chiller configurations can be used for closed-loop, open-loop and one-pass chiller types, notes Turner Hansel of Filtrine Manufacturing Co. in “9 Q&A about Heater/Chiller Technology.” Heater/chiller systems are used in applications such as heating up a work piece to be coated before cooling it for handling and product testing. Processes that requires quick, extreme coolant temperature changes, or those that benefit from ramped heating, soak and cooling are good candidates for this process cooling equipment.
To gain the most from water cooling, of course, the system should be free of scale and corrosion. One way to ensure good heat transfer surfaces is water filtration. Among the methods you can use are filter screens, bag filters and automatic self-cleaning systems. Automatic systems offer a way to reduce downtime and labor demands because the system automatically senses when to start the self-cleaning feature. In “The Role of Filtration in Process Cooling Water,” Dan Flanick of Tekleen Automatic Filters Inc. explores the options.
Adiabatic cooling systems can be used wet or dry, depending on the ambient conditions and cooling demands. When dry mode is insufficient, water is introduced automatically to employ evaporative cooling and greater heat transfer. Beyond operating in dry or wet modes, however, other features can help optimize adiabatic cooling. In “Benefits of Adiabatic Cooling,” DJ Frye of Guntner explores how components such as electronically commutated fans and smart controls can improve cooling for a given application.
Finally, as Dr. John DuBois of Thermalogic notes in his article, successful cooling process control — and selection of a suitable controller — require a good understanding of the heat flow within the process. In “How to Achieve Desired Temperature Control in Process Cooling,” Dr. DuBois explores how temperature sensor selection and placement affect thermal lag and, therefore, temperature reading accuracy. Understanding these concepts can inform your selection of temperature control systems.
Linda Becker, Associate Publisher and Editor
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