Product category:
Compressors and Air Treatment
News Release from: Parker Hannifin - Filter Division | Subject: Ammonia filtration
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 23 August 2004
Novel ammonia filter cuts refrigeration
costs
Parker Hannifin's involvement in an industrial refrigeration application has paid dividends for one leading North American supplier of bagged ice products.
Parker Hannifin's involvement in an industrial refrigeration application has paid dividends for one leading North American supplier of bagged ice products Not only did the enhanced filtration improve the efficiency of the system but it also helped the company cut costs
In industrial refrigeration systems, the cleanliness of the coolant is as vital as the quality of blood in the human body.
Just as dialysis can be a human lifesaver, investments in filtration systems will mean healthier refrigeration system operation.
By removing contaminants, heat transfer coefficient, component performance and system capacity can all be improved, and electricity consumption can be lowered.
The cleanliness of the refrigerant is the key to getting the best heat transfer coefficient in industrial ammonia-based refrigeration systems.
In purifying the refrigerant, the primary focus becomes purging noncondensables and removing excess moisture.
Unless this is done routinely, temperatures can rise above design limits, resulting in higher electricity consumption.
Purger systems are typically used to remove noncondensables and distiller systems separate water from ammonia through an evaporation-separation process.
Oils and particles that migrate to unwanted areas also can create maintenance problems These particles often enter systems during installation as by products of the installation processes.
However, because of the high cost of cleaning ammonia systems prior to start up, it is seldom done.
The result is that particles are left in the system, degrading performance.
Valves can also be affected - sticking during start up.
Debris, along with dirt and other solid particles invisible to the naked eye (40um), affect performance and can act as abrasives, causing wear on valve seats, compressors and pump seals.
Compressors and valves normally have strainers and bags to capture larger-size particles.
However, there have been no large-tonnage ammonia refrigeration systems with filtration capability to remove contaminants below submicron level beginning at startup.
This was until Parker Hannifin stepped in.
The prototype ammonia filtration system was a collaborative effort between two of Parker Hannifin's operating groups: Filtration and Climate and Industrial Controls.
It was designed to remove sub micron (0.5um) particles and handle up to 1130 litre/min of liquid ammonia with a pleated single cartridge and a 21bar carbon steel vessel.
The pressure drop across the vessel was initially recorded at 0.2bar.
The filtration unit was installed after the liquid receiver in a bypass line to which flow can be controlled with service valves.
Installation was done during downtime for compressor maintenance and, after a period of operation, the pressure drop across the vessel increased from 0.2 to 0.3bar and the bagged ice production per hour rose.
Particle removal was proven to be the key factor in increasing system capacity, improving reliability and reducing total kilowatt-hour consumption.
With the large surface area of the pleated cartridge, serviceability has eased maintenance and, due to the caking factor, the filtration ability increases with time until the scheduled replacement of the cartridge.
The removal of particles from the system has proven to be a key issue in boosting its capacity.
Parker's involvement went beyond that of a simple component supplier.
More and more the company is being called upon to lend its significant expertise to problem areas where it is an acknowledged expert.
This trend has increased as worldwide customers realise the capabilities that lay behind this industry leading solutions provider. Request a free brochure from Parker Hannifin - Filter Division ...
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