COOLING TOWER VS. EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER - TYPES OF ...

COOLING TOWER VS. EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER – TYPES OF EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER

The maintenance of stable process temperatures is critical to the success of many industrial and manufacturing processes. Industrial-scale temperature regulation cannot be achieved using conventional, portable cooling systems. In these instances where larger-scale cooling is desired, industrial capacity cooling systems are the most efficient way to maintain process temperatures at optimal ranges.

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Depending on the manufacturer, cooling systems come installed with various condenser types including evaporative systems. This article will compare the various cooling towers and evaporative condensers available for industrial use and highlight the differences between both cooling systems.

What Is an Evaporative Condenser(vi,ar,fa)?

An evaporative condenser is a device that converts refrigerant contained within a closed circuit from a heated vapor to a cooled liquid form by the evaporation of water sprayed on the exterior surface of the refrigerant tubing. It is essentially a hybrid between an air-cooled condenser and a water-cooled condenser which uses the principles of heat rejection to follow an evaporative process.

The Function of the Condenser in a Chiller

The condenser component of an industrial chiller system functions as a heat transfer device between a process and its external environment.

Condensers can either be air-cooled, water-cooled or evaporative in design and function. Regardless of type, all condensers have a similar function: to transfer heat away from a refrigerant gas and thereby cool the required process or equipment.

Types of Evaporative Condensers

Evaporative condensers are divided into two main types

• Forced draft evaporative condensers
• Induced draft evaporative condensers

Forced Draft

Forced draft evaporative condensers pull air through the unit at its base, condenses it and releases it in a saturated form through an opening at the top of the cooling unit. This condenser type could either be a centrifugal fan-driven type or an axial type which is the most common set up available. The choice of forced draft condenser type depends on careful consideration of the features of each type and their efficiency in achieving cooling.

Axial Fan Design

This is the most common evaporative condenser in use industrially. It is mostly utilized in large scale industrial applications for rapid cooling. This forced draft condenser type has some advantages which include:

• Fan design that allows operation by a low horsepower motor
• Availability in a wide range of capacities suited to most industrial uses
• Easily accessible mechanical parts with a reduced cost of maintenance

Centrifugal Fan

Centrifugal fan models are utilized in cooling applications where sound may constitute a problem. These devices are generally quieter than their axial fan counterparts and as a result, centrifugal fan-type condensers can be installed in indoor locations. These evaporative condenser variants can be employed in halocarbon air-conditioning units and work quite efficiently.

Induced Draft

Induced draft evaporative condensers work by pulling air in the chiller environment through a condenser mounted at its base. The collected air is condensed and circulated to cool the associated process. Benefits of this condenser type include:

• Lower floor space needs
• Higher efficiency of cooling
• Fewer components than forced draft models (which implies lower maintenance costs)

Benefits of Evaporative Condensers

The advantages of opting for evaporative condensers are linked to process cost-savings. The main points are highlighted below:

• These condensers can efficiently run on less fan horsepower than their air-cooled chiller counterparts which drive down energy costs significantly.
• Installation and maintenance are easier as evaporative condenser cooling units operate with fewer components.
• Evaporative condenser units allow for smaller floor space installations.

Cooling Tower vs. Evaporative Condenser

The major difference between a cooling tower and an evaporative condenser chiller setup lies in the number of stages required to achieve their cooling effects.

For chiller systems that utilize a cooling tower, heat transfer from the cooling process involves two stages. The heat generated by an industrial or commercial process is first transferred to the circulating chiller fluid by the condenser unit before atmospheric heat rejection at the cooling tower. Thus, using chillers and cooling towers together require two levels of heat exchange.

On the other hand, chillers with evaporative condensers achieve similar results by a single heat rejection process which involves the evaporation of heated water from the external surface of the coolant tubing.

Cold Shot Chillers Has the Industrial Chillers You Need

For over three decades, Cold Shot Chillers has offered top-quality industrial chillers. Our priority remains the delivery of satisfactory customer experience to all clients through the provision of reliable process cooling solutions.

Check out the wide range of water-cooled chillers we have that are uniquely suited to your industrial and commercial purposes.

No hidden fees, service calls, or installation costs. Purchase the right evaporative cooler to meet your needs, and easily set it up yourself without hiring an HVAC contractor.

High quality, commercial/Industrial grade evaporative coolers start at around $1,000. For smaller cooling spaces evaporative cooling systems can range from $200 - $900.

Purchasing an evaporative cooler is much cheaper than installing an air conditioning unit. A swamp cooler unit costs roughly 50% less than a traditional window-type air conditioner and 70% - 90% less than an inverter-type air conditioner.

How? No installation costs are necessary, they use a significantly less amount of energy consumption to run, and minimal service and maintenance is needed.

Note: Air conditioning units require an expert to come on-site and install the system (costs of an A/C unit slowly add up).

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Evaporator coolers are designed to be efficient and simplistic. This means that there is no need to hire someone to come on site and spend an hour or two getting the system set up.

Once you purchase your unit and place it in your desired location, add water, plug it in, and set-up your desired run time. Done! 3 Simple steps making it easier on the user, less time consuming, and costs less.

Maintaining your evaporative cooler doesn’t require a lot of time or effort or outside service from an expert.

Evaporative coolers work best in dry climates because they lower the air temperature through humidification which can also provide many health benefits.

Portable units are available so the user can easily move the unit to another location whether it’s indoors or outdoors.

When the air is to dry, you may notice your skin, nose, and throat gets dry as well. A lack of humidity can result in having respiratory problems down the road such as nose bleeds, bronchitis, aggravate sinusitis, and asthma.

It can also damage the environment around you. Similar to a sponge, when it’s too dry it gets hard and shrinks. Adding a little a water expands the sponge. Depending on your environment, the dry air can damage, shrink, and warp wooden furniture & window frames, leather, paper-based products (books, artwork, etc.), musical instruments, crack wallpaper, ruin wine (dry out bread), and create static electricity in electronics.

Evaporative coolers increase the airflow circulation tremendously because it sucks in warm air and releases cool air. The systems design uses a filter and pads. Working in unison, the filter and water-soaked pads can collect and trap dust, dirt, and pollen purifying the air. You can rest easy knowing your breathing in the cleanest air.

Breathing in cleaner air and significantly reduce the onset of allergies, irritated lungs, asthma attacks, etc.

Unlike fans, evaporative coolers can cool the ambient temperature around you. In low humidity and high temperatures, an evaporative cooler can lower the temperature to 20° to 40° Fahrenheit.

Note: Recommended Evaporative Cooler - Val6 RKF-506 delivers cooler than ambient temperature (9°F cooler)

In very dry climates an evaporative cooler can be very effective in cooling the air. However, when the humidity level gets up to a certain point (60% or higher) an evaporative cooler isn’t the best option.

Using an evaporative cooler when it’s above 60% humidity can lead to further discomfort. It can also lead to the growth of dust mites, mold, and mildew if not properly aerated.

Another drawback from high humidity (similar to too low of humidity level) is it can trigger asthma, allergies, pneumonitis, warp and damage wood furniture, paper-based products, electronics, etc.

Note: To maximize the efficiency of an evaporative cooler place the unit along exhaust ducts, open windows, or in the open air. Dehumidifiers are a good alternative to lowering the humidity.

Common replacement parts for an evaporative air cooler include air filter, water filter, and pads. Other parts can include pump, fan, and motor related parts due to excessive use.

Contact Us for and part replacement needs.

Regularly changing the filter prevents the growth of mold and mildew. Filter replacements can vary in price depending on the brand and size.

Contact Us for your filter replacement needs.

Note: Val6 RKF 506-A Evaporative Cooler recommends filter replacement every 1 - 2 years.

Evaporative coolers need a water source to replenish lost water due to evaporation. Units can vary from having a water tank or a hose connection.