Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Refrigeration

• Use water-cooled condensers rather than air-cooled condensers.
• Challenge the need for refrigeration, particularly for old batch processes.
• Avoid oversizing -- match the connected load.
• Consider gas-powered refrigeration equipment to minimize electrical demand charges.
• Use "free cooling" to allow chiller shutdown in cold weather.
• Use refrigerated water loads in series if possible.
• Convert firewater or other tanks to thermal storage.
• Don't assume that the old way is still the best -- particularly for energy-intensive low temperature systems.
• Correct inappropriate brine or glycol concentration that adversely affects heat transfer and/or
pumping energy.
If it sweats, insulate it, but if it is corroding, replace it first.
• Make adjustments to minimize hot gas bypass operation.
• Inspect moisture/liquid indicators.
• Consider change of refrigerant type if it will improve efficiency.
• Check for correct refrigerant charge level.
• Inspect the purge for air and water leaks.
• Establish a refrigeration efficiency-maintenance program. Start with an energy audit and followup, then make a refrigeration efficiency-maintenance program a part of your continuous energy management program.

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