When to Use Glycol Used in Chiller？

Using Glycol in Your Chiller

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Using glycol in your chiller may prove to be beneficial because it reduces the freezing point of process fluid and ensures that it continues to flow at the operating temperature.  Using inhibited glycol in your system will prevent scale and corrosion from forming, algae and bacteria will not grow and metals such as copper, brass, steel cast iron and aluminum are protected.  However, there are some things to know when using glycol in your chiller that if not followed properly, problems may follow.

 

What to Know about Using Glycol in Your Chiller.

1 'Don't Use Automotive Grade Anti-Freeze! 

Do not use automotive grade anti-freeze. Automotive glycols are not designed for industrial applications any may foul the heat exchanger and compromise heat transfer

 

2 'Don't Mix Glycols!

Do NOT mix different types or brands.  Mixing of glycols can often result in clogged filters or gelling.  If switching types or brands you will need to thoroughly clean the system to remove the current fluid.  Once it is thoroughly flushed, it is perfectly fine to change the type of brand.

 

3 'What is the Difference Between Ethylene and Propylene ?

Glycol comes in two varieties: ethylene glycol (EG) and propylene glycol (PG). Though both materials are bad for living things, ethylene is most often used in industrial applications  and is more economical and propylene becomes more viscous at very cold temperatures and is most often used near food.

 

4 'What are the Affects on my Chiller?

Glycol is denser than water and the cooling capacity will be slightly reduced which will in turn increase the pumping power and the fluid temperature will increase.

 

5 -Applications and Locations Determine Water/Glycol Mix Percentages

When determining the percentage of water/glycol mix the location and environment of the chiller (indoors vs. outdoors) is the determining factor.  If your chiller will be located indoors with zero (or no) chance of freezing, the percentage of glycol lessens.  If the chiller is located outside with low temperatures the percentage of glycol will be greater.  Applications that have a very low operating temperature(below 20°F) should use a glycol mixture that is similar to an outdoor system.

The location of the chiller and environmental concerns must be taken into account when selecting the proper mixture of glycol and water for the chiller process. A process located completely indoors, with no chance of freezing, will require less glycol than a system located outdoors where low temperatures can cause the fluid to freeze and piping to burst. Applications with a very low operating temperature (below 20' F) should use a glycol mixture equivalent to an outdoor system.

 

6 -Fluid Maintenance and Filtration.

The secret to extending the life of your chiller and reducing costly down-time is utilizing a fluid filter and performing fluid maintenance.  Keep the process water and correct glycol mix maintained along with filtering dirt out of the system will prove to be the necessary steps to receiving years of service from your chiller

 

Budzar Industries has the capability and experience to design, engineer and manufacture both stationary and portable air-cooled chillers to your exact specifications.

Need information specific to your requirements? One of our sales managers can help you. It's easy, contact our team today.

 

 

 

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GLYCOL CHILLER VS. WATER CHILLER ' WHY USE GLYCOL?

The global demand for industrial process cooling remains at a steady high. Reliability and minimal downtime are key to consistent and profitable industrial and commercial processes.

This article will consider the best methods to attain the optimal temperatures required to operate production processes in the metal finishing, medical, brewing, and agricultural industries.

How Does A Chiller Function?

So, how does a chiller work? The process works in a loop, but we will start where the cooling medium interfaces with your process equipment.

The system's coolant absorbs thermal energy from your process, typically causing a phase change into a gas. The gaseous refrigerant is then circulated to a condenser which expels the heat through evaporative condensation or a cooling tower. This heat exchange condenses the cooling medium back into a cooler liquid that is sent back to process heating source to begin the cycle again.

What Type of Coolants Are Used in Chillers?

The type of coolant utilized in a chiller is based on process needs and cost considerations. The most popular coolants used are either water or a mixture of water and another substance with suitable heat conduction properties ' like glycol compounds.

Water

The use of water as chiller fluid is an economical one as in most cases the water can be easily sourced with minimal costs. Alternatively, purified (deionized water, reverse osmosis) water can be used in a water-based chiller to achieve a higher cooling efficiency.

Glycol

Glycol based coolants are either composed of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. While these two variants have similar physical properties, they should never be mixed. The major advantages which glycol coolants confer are an improved resistance to corrosion as well as antifreeze properties.

Why Is Glycol Used for Cooling

Using a glycol-water mix as a chiller coolant has various benefits over the use of plain water as a chiller fluid. These advantages are due to its unique physical properties which include a lower freezing point than water.

Water vs. Glycol Heat Transfer

For water free of impurities, the freezing point is 32°F which is much higher compared to pure ethylene glycol which changes to its solid-state at 8.9°F. When a glycol-water mixture is altered, the freezing point of the coolant also changes. To cite an example, 10% ethylene glycol will freeze at 25.9°F while a 60% glycol solution will freeze at -63°F.

From the above analysis, it's clear that glycol has refrigerant properties that are more suited for use in chillers expected to function in low-temperature environments. In these thermal conditions, a water coolant will freeze and obstruct chiller circulation while diminishing overall efficiency.

By contrast, utilizing a glycol-based chiller will take advantage of its antifreeze properties ensuring the coolant remains in a desirable fluid state.

Glycol Chiller vs. Water Chiller

Both glycol and water chillers can be used to satisfactorily dissipate the heat being generated by your production process. The fundamental difference between both chiller types lies in variations in their freezing points as well as their heat conduction capacities.

Pure glycol or a mix of glycol and water has a much lower freezing point than that of pure water. By implication, glycol-based chillers are better suited to low-temp environments. Conversely, water has a better ability to retain and conduct heat from an associated process than a glycol mixture can. As a result, the efficiency of heat transfer for a water chiller will be higher than that of a glycol chiller.

Overall, operators need to consider the ambient temperatures for the siting environment before choosing a chiller type.

How Does a Glycol Chiller System Work?

A glycol chiller plant is composed of a refrigeration component and tubing containing a glycol-water mixture as coolant. Chilled fluid from the refrigeration unit is channeled through the piping associated with a thermal exchanger surrounding a heated process. After absorbing heat from the associated process, the warmed coolant is returned to the refrigeration unit for cooling after which the process is repeated.

Percentage Glycol in Chilled Water Systems

For many chiller types, ethylene glycol is mixed with water at a ratio of 60/40. This higher percentage of glycol boosts the mixture's antifreeze properties significantly. This is useful in cases where rapid cooling is required. In these situations, a process can be cooled to very low temperatures without freezing the coolant within its piping.

How Does a Water Chiller System Work?

A conventional water chiller works on the principles of heat transmission between various mediums both fluid and solid. These cooling systems work either by heat absorption or vapor compression. The basic components of a water chiller system include a refrigeration unit and a piping system that circulated chilled coolant. 

See Cold Shot Chillers' Line of Performance Chillers

For the last thirty years, Cold Shot Chillers has been manufacturing premium industrial chillers. With an impressive line of water- and air-cooled chiller units, your industrial cooling needs are sure to be met.

Contact us online today to learn more about our process cooling solutions.

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