Residential Condenser to Chiller Conversion

[NRT.Rob]

Hi All,

New member... I'm a hydronic designer in the residential market. Very, very new to refrigeration.

I have become interested in figuring out how to convert traditional condenser units into chillers without a prepackaged "chiller barrel". I have seen techniques with a buffer tank and plate HX, flow switch, pump, etc... however I am curious about getting into an alternate idea to reduce points of failure.

specifically I am wondering if it would be possible to use a top-mounted steel or copper coil in a water tank as the heat rejection coil, with refrigerant in the coil. theoretically it should be similar in function as a very large "shell and tube" heat exchanger... there are even some such tanks with really large HX coils if necessary. One difference with shell and tube though is that fluid flow over the HX would be natural convective movement not forced... though on the heating side, we can usually transfer fairly large amounts of heat this way, I see no reason to expect it to be different in cooling modes.

I do not as of yet understand refrigeration nearly well enough to evaluate this from the refrigerant cycle/compressor control side. This could be a great way to get chilled water hydronics to a more viable level for clients who are not doing geothermal or air to water heat pumps/reverse cycle chillers. Condensers are, after all, much cheaper due to economies of scale in the residential market. if I can just add a coiled tank to a condensor and make chilled water reliably, I'd be a very, very happy guy.

anyone interested in batting this around a bit? Thanks in advance for even reading!

[chillerman2006]

some things never change

designers still think this is a one stop shop to do their job for him

if your not already in a position to know if you can/cant use a remote condenser to reject heat for a water chiller

you really dont have any of the basic knowledge required to carry out design do you

but I'm in a sarcastic but forgiving mood so here goes

start with the heat you wish to remove - match to a evaporator

match that to a compressor and tev for your calculated mass flow rate

then match that to a condenser

jobbakiss donnakiss

[install monkey]

using an alternative idea to reduce points of failure-your method of producing cooling/heating by relying on natural convection without flow switches,frost protection,circulated water will not work.
after all the messing about, its easier to buy a dedicated chiller with all the controls in place

[chillerman2006]

hey I would give you REP Points for that Install

but gotta find a few newbies to give some to; to share the love first

[chillerman2006]

now i given too much in 24 hours ... ruddy system huh

best take this public rep point then Install ( 10/10 )

[install monkey]

give us 1 of your rep points or a green square

[chillerman2006]

haha ya flash phurker

now you pm'ed me that me ole buddy Frank has been asking for me & missing me so

I will have to make more of an effort to make an appearance