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  1. #1
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    Old Ammonia compressor still working



    Hello guys:
    We still have some old compressor working in an ice factory, this is due the fact we still use a waterfall and a turbine, so the speed range is very broad to be used by modern and more delicate compressors.
    This howe Compressor, i ignore its model, have some time in reserve but I still have a York 9X9 giving some problem and I need to put this Howe Compressor at work, problem is my father was the only one that knows how to purge and start it bur sadly he passed away later last year and we have no manuals or any useful infor about it and i wonder if one of you knows this machine and you may give me some input about? where to find a manual, info about how to purge it and start it?
    thank you so much in advance for any help you may give me in this regard
    Attached Images Attached Images



  2. #2
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    YORK or Frick?

  3. #3
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    RamHernan,
    Do not know, but maybe these people can help you.

    https://arescorefrigeration.com/howe-corporation-2/

  4. #4
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    Thank you so much for your answers!
    RANGER1; i will look there, thank you so much
    Josef; the compression in the photo is a HOWE compressor, i ignore the model, its not specified in the plate.

  5. #5
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    I'm sorry, I only know Frick HDI.
    Josef.

  6. #6
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    Just curious. I do not recall seeing a machine with two sets of suction ports. Can someone explain this?

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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    I can’t explain, but these type of machines can have a lot of configurations that I have not seen, only in manuals.
    Dual suctions that can run at different pressures due to porting in cylinder
    economiser connections, similar to above.
    Unload one cylinder with bypass valve.
    Valves so yo can reverse flow to pump out discharge line, or condenser.
    Probably more!
    Pretty smart, inventive, pioneering people.
    That why hard to come up with new mechanical ideas, as has mostly been done before.

  8. #8
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    Hello NH3LVR
    In fact this compressor have 2 suction ports, i remember my dad call it "booster" ; hence my trouble figuring out how to set up, it have a very complex manyfull . the first suction is located at the botom of the cylinder and the second one goes at mid way. I ignore if the "booster" is opening both suction ports at the same time??
    I imagine, as RAGER1 says, it have someting to do with wotking the compressor at half capacity
    You can see it in the images attached in the OP.

  9. #9
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    I started out working on these old machines. Unfortunately my old employer retired a couple of years ago. He had the manuals for all the old machines.
    If we had a model number would help. Perhaps the nameplate has been painted over?
    My best guess is since your Dad called it a booster that it was set up to run as a first (Booster) AND a second stage. If you make a diagram of the system we might be able to sort this out.

  10. #10
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    not much help to you.... but this is powered via a water wheel?

    do you have any more photos? I'm very interested in this :-)

  11. #11
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    Many years ago I saw an old and very large machine powered by a water source. Wish I could see it again. It was at Diamond Fruit in Hood River Oregon. There was no crankcase and I understand a liquid slug made things quite exciting in the engine room.

  12. #12
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    Thank you so much for you interest! NH3LVR, i will try to make a diagram about the entire system, meanwhile let me show you the nameplate, it says almost nothing:IMG_1260A.jpg
    and for you guys, let me share you some more images, from the turbine (not a water wheel) and the other compressors we have and we need to find spare parts suppliers in special the 7X7 frick
    IMG_1268A.jpg
    Last edited by RamHernan; 03-05-2022 at 08:13 AM. Reason: typos

  13. #13
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    IMG_1263A.jpg
    IMG_1264A.jpg
    IMG_1266A.jpg
    Something i cant get it well, i get a valve and a pipe seems to be the crankcase pump out system but it seems to connect the intake and the exaust lines!, how this can be?
    IMG_1269A.jpg
    And about the manifold, do you know how this works? ir have tons of valves and pipes interconnectig all!
    IMG_1254B.jpg

    Thank you so much in advance for all your help!

  14. #14
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    I was hoping the original poster would come back to this thread. I found it quite interesting.
    Image 1269a is of a relief valve between the Suction and Discharge, in case of high pressure.
    1254b is the one that I find interesting. I have never seen a setup like this.

  15. #15
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    Quote Originally Posted by NH3LVR View Post
    I was hoping the original poster would come back to this thread. I found it quite interesting.
    Image 1269a is of a relief valve between the Suction and Discharge, in case of high pressure.
    1254b is the one that I find interesting. I have never seen a setup like this.
    NH3LVR, found these interesting links, off the subject I know

    https://www.coolingpost.com/features...rozen-in-time/

    https://www.rses.org/assets/servicea...ual/620-88.pdf

  16. #16
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    Re: Old Ammonia compressor still working

    RANGER1:
    Love it. Learned on old machines and never got over them.
    Used to hand-lap valves and scrape bearings.
    Sadly most are gone now. Expensive to fix and many parts are too worn out to save.

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