Fluid Cooling Systems
The pump and control system circulates a heat transfer fluid through the conduit system that captures the heat produced by the heat load. The pump transports the fluid to the heat exchanger where it is dissipated by one of several possible cooling methods, i.e., ambient air cooling, evaporative cooling or refrigeration.
The Fundamentals
In its most basic form, a closed-loop cooling system consists of four elements:
- Heat Load – Industrial process or equipment that produces heat as a by-product, for example, an air compressor or furnace.
- Heat Exchanger – Device to transfer heat energy to a cooler medium, for example, a fluid cooler or radiator.
- Pump System and Controls – Recalculate heat transfer fluid from heat load to heat exchanger.
- Conduit System – Pipe and valves are used to connect the system components. Permits fluid circulation between heat load, heat exchanger and pump system.
The pump/control system circulates a heat transfer fluid through the conduit system that captures the heat produced by the heat load. The pump transports the fluid to the heat exchanger where it is dissipated by one of several possible cooling methods, i.e., ambient air cooling, evaporative cooling or refrigeration.
Air Compressor Fluid-Cooling Engineering
To design an industrial cooling system, the heat load must be determined. Total head load is expressed in BTU, or British Thermal Units per Hour.
British Thermal unit (BTU) – Energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit.
Total Heat Load can be calculated by using the following heat transfer formula:
BTUH = 500 X Temperature Rise X Flow
500 – Weight of one gallon of water x 60 minutes.
Flow – The flow of coolant through the heat load expressed in gallons per minute (GPM).
Temperature Rise – The difference between the entering and leaving coolant temperature.
This formula is valid for water as a coolant. For any other liquid, correct with the specific heat and gravity.
Thermal Precision considers several factors when designing an industrial cooling system:
- Maximum inlet temperature to heat load
- Ambient air conditions and elevation
- Water quality and availability
- Environmental conditions
Atlas Machine & Supply, Inc. can assist in engineering any of your facilities Fluid-Cooling Systems. Please call 1-855-GO-ATLAS (462-8527) to speak to any of our Compressed Air engineers.