Sledge
03-12-2008, 10:14 PM
Hi all, been away from the forums for a while...business has been very good.
I have a question regarding refrigerated air dryers, and more specifically shell and tube condensor attached to this machine.
We have a water cooled shell and tube condensor attached to an Ingersol Rand refrigerated air dryer. The water source is a recirculated loop, cooled in 2 cooling towers. The cooling water is shared by 3 air dryers and 6 Ingerssol Rand air compressors. this is a process system where the compressed air has to be dried before it can be used for the process.
Ok the water flow through the condensor is controlled by a head pressure activated water regulating valve.
So The question is: Should the water regulating valve be installed on the inlet side of this condensor, or the outlet side of the condensor.
Currently the water reg valve is installed on the inlet. It has operated for 15 years this way. I believe it should be installed on the outlet so the condensor is always flooded, and I believe the way it has been installed, contributes to the buildup of scale.
(Not certain about the scale, yet, but signs are there. I have yet to open the system, as the customer...isnt certain if they trust me yet, lol)
In a perfect world, i would like to suggest that we eliminate the water reg valve completely, maintain constant flow through the condensor and install a receiver and headmaster control. Any thoughts on this idea.
last question: How do I determine if this thing is working correctly. What back pressure should I be looking for. (R22) Is there any way i can determine efficiency. I have to admit that I was the factory service agency for Hi-Ross Denko 20 years ago, but life has been full of some big issues and I almost have to wear a name tag these days, in order to remember my own name (j/k) so if someone wouldnt mind jogging my memory/re-educating me, it would be much appreciated.
I have a question regarding refrigerated air dryers, and more specifically shell and tube condensor attached to this machine.
We have a water cooled shell and tube condensor attached to an Ingersol Rand refrigerated air dryer. The water source is a recirculated loop, cooled in 2 cooling towers. The cooling water is shared by 3 air dryers and 6 Ingerssol Rand air compressors. this is a process system where the compressed air has to be dried before it can be used for the process.
Ok the water flow through the condensor is controlled by a head pressure activated water regulating valve.
So The question is: Should the water regulating valve be installed on the inlet side of this condensor, or the outlet side of the condensor.
Currently the water reg valve is installed on the inlet. It has operated for 15 years this way. I believe it should be installed on the outlet so the condensor is always flooded, and I believe the way it has been installed, contributes to the buildup of scale.
(Not certain about the scale, yet, but signs are there. I have yet to open the system, as the customer...isnt certain if they trust me yet, lol)
In a perfect world, i would like to suggest that we eliminate the water reg valve completely, maintain constant flow through the condensor and install a receiver and headmaster control. Any thoughts on this idea.
last question: How do I determine if this thing is working correctly. What back pressure should I be looking for. (R22) Is there any way i can determine efficiency. I have to admit that I was the factory service agency for Hi-Ross Denko 20 years ago, but life has been full of some big issues and I almost have to wear a name tag these days, in order to remember my own name (j/k) so if someone wouldnt mind jogging my memory/re-educating me, it would be much appreciated.