3-7 Condenser Considerations
Water-Cooled Chiller Condensers
Water-cooled portable chillers can use city water or tower water as a cooling medium. Make sure that all external piping and connections supplying and discharging water to and from the condenser are full size.
You’ll make two connections to the water-cooled condenser:
Condenser Water In. The condenser water supply, labeled “Condenser Water In”, is located at the rear of the chiller. It is the inlet for city or tower water.
Make sure that water is supplied at a maximum temperature of 85ºF (29ºC) and a minimum pressure of 25 psi.
Caution! The electronic water-regulating valves pressure setpoint is set at the factory. Only a qualified refrigeration technician should adjust the pressure setting through the service section of the controller.
Normal HFC-410a refrigerant condensing pressure is 342 psi (2,360 kPa), with 85ºF (27ºC) water at 25 psi entering condenser water pressure
Condenser Water Out. Condenser water return, labeled “Condenser Water Out”, is located at the rear of the chiller. It is the outlet for water after it has passed through the condenser.
It is connected to the tower water return line or to a sewer or other approved discharge receiver. A water-regulating valve is a standard feature in the condenser water out line.
Air-Cooled Chiller Condensers
Air-cooled chillers use the surrounding air to cool the condenser. Install the chiller in an area where there is free passage of air for condensing and provisions for removal of heated air from the area. Do not locate air-cooled chillers in locations where steam, hot air, or fume exhausts can be drawn into the chiller.
Caution! Clean air-cooled condensers and filters frequently. Failure to do so results in reduced capacity, increased operating costs, and possible failure of the equipment. Cleaning instructions can be found in the Maintenance chapter of this manual
Normal maximum refrigerant condensing pressure with 95ºF (35ºC) air entering the condenser is 420 psi (2896 kPa).
Condensing Air Temperature. Our air-cooled portable chillers are designed to operate at a minimum condenser entering air temperature of approximately 60ºF (15.5ºC). Operation of the equipment at a lower condenser entering air temperature can cause the chiller to malfunction. For entering air temperatures below 60ºF (15.5°C), an optional fan motor speed control is available. We recommend maintaining a minimum 60ºF (15.5°C) ambient temperature.
