View Full Version : ice build up on suction return?
kingc66l
12-10-2010, 09:21 AM
Hi there,
I have just taken over a maintenance contact of a blast freezer 45HP condensing unit.
Is it normal to have a ball of ice built up on suction return on compressor?
Could there be evap fouling/superheat problems?
Cheers
You sure it's not short of gas?
tradybrad
12-10-2010, 10:11 AM
to much liquid flooding back to comp?possible metering device issue?
mad fridgie
12-10-2010, 10:18 AM
Perfectly OK, just cool gas comimg back freezing the bell housing!
it is not at the crankcase!
What kind of suction line temp would you expect in this application?
roger head
12-10-2010, 10:30 AM
looks ok to me. Returning vapour could be as low as minus fifty so you are going to get some ice on the un lagged valve.
RANGER1
12-10-2010, 09:36 PM
A few tempretures would help like sump & discharge .
Foaming of oil as well .
You don't see this so much on ***** applications but ammonia its quite common to have a good ice build up with -10 C application .
lowcool
13-10-2010, 01:06 AM
id be more concerned about the anaconda and from what i can see lack of mounting leg on the head fan.good luck getting your gauges on in a hurry.
have a tendency to agree with others about return vapour temperatures,time to check your superheats.
Frostyguy
13-10-2010, 04:20 AM
You said its a blast freezer.
Typically, blast freezers are not on line 24/7 and are usually oversized in comparrison to a typical freezer. Make sure customer is using it as it was intended.
Quick Response:
> It can be normal: check your superheat at the compressor, at beginning of freeze cycles, and at the end. Customers sometimes try and use blast freezers as holding freezers as well. This can be a problem if the TXVs where over sized by design, or system wasnt designed for dual operation. For (Example: Your 45hp condensing unit was selected to meet the blast freezing conditions, however as a holding freezer only, it may only require a 5,10 or 15 ton system. Your TXVs in that senerio may not be able to throttle back. )
In either case, its always good to make sure you have an accumulator, oil seperator and in some cases a CPR or pressure limitting TXVs on any low temp units of that capacity.
powell
13-10-2010, 04:43 AM
As Frostyguy stated, as long as you have superheat you're ok. The ice formation simply means it's below dewpoint temperatures.
kingc66l
13-10-2010, 08:03 AM
cheers for the ideas guys, I go back to site next week to check this freezer havent had gauges on to check superheat yet.
The site was badly looked after before I took over this week, all other chillers and freezers had badly fouled evaps and condensers.
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