Archives for May 2019

Laser Chillers

Brooke Loeffler · May 3, 2019 ·

Lasers: The Cutting Edge

Lasers have fascinated human imagination since they were invented in 1960. Far beyond the realm of lightsabers and Bond villains, lasers have a pivotal role in products and technologies we all use every day.

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North Slope Chiller infographic showing the industrial applications of lasers

Types of Lasers

There are many different types of laser medium:

Solid-State
Gas
Excimer
Fiber
Disc
Dye
YAG
Semi-conductor/Diode

There are similarities and differences between the different laser mediums, not only in their applications, but in their wavelength ranges, power output, heat output, and cooling needs.

Laser power output spans a very large range:

North Slope Chiller infographic showing laser power output range

Low-powered lasers such as those found in laser pointers and disc readers generally have their own built-in cooling system, so they don’t generate enough heat to damage the components surrounding the laser. However high-powered lasers generate a massive amount of heat that must be removed from the laser system.

The best method for removing excess heat is using an external industrial laser process cooling system. There are many benefits to keeping a laser system cool.

Benefits of Laser Chillers

North Slope Chiller infographic showing the benefits of keeping lasers cool

Maintaining precise wavelengths

Excess heat in a laser system increases the laser wavelength and compromises the laser’s performance.

High output efficiency

Lasers require very precise specifications in order to perform accurately. An overheating laser can be dangerous, imprecise and make it difficult to point the laser with stability.

Maintaining desired beam quality

Strong beam focus is required for precise laser work such as engraving, cutting, drilling, and printing. A fluctuating beam is dangerous and destructive.

Reducing thermal stress

Reducing the operating temperature can protect materials, equipment, reduce maintenance, and increase the lifetime of the laser system.

North Slope Chillers industrial laser chillers optimize laser operations and keep systems running efficiently.
Chat with a chilling expert to find the best chiller or chilling accessory for your needs at (866) 826-2993 or by email at [email protected].

50 Shades of Beer

Brooke Loeffler · May 3, 2019 ·

50 Shades of…Beer

When handed a glass of beer, first look, then taste. Let your eyes drink it in before your taste buds. Taking a moment to experience the colorful visual appeal will enhance the experience. Let us explore the science behind the art of beer color.

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The Color of Chemistry

The beer color spectrum contains a wide variety that range from pale yellow to jet black.

North Slope Chiller infographic showing 50 shades of beer in the beer color spectrum

Color and appearance have a huge influence on which beer selection is the most appealing to various consumers. So how are all these colors produced?

There are many different factors that can influence the overall color and clarity of a brew. Some of these factors include:

yeast strain
filtration
aging time
pH level
oxygen level
hops variety
wort chilling
specialty ingredients

The factors that have the biggest impact on color variation are the chemical reactions that occur during the malting process.

There are 2 types of chemical reactions that affect final brew color:

The Maillard Reaction

The Maillard Reaction is a chemical process between amino acids and sugars that gives browned foods their specific flavor. Searing steak and toasting bread are examples of food experiencing the Maillard Reaction. Roasting grains during the malting process affects the darkness of the malt, darkness of the beer, overall taste, and aroma.

Caramelization

Caramelization is a chemical reaction that involves the browning of sugars and can occur during boiling in the malting process. The longer the boil, the darker the color of the finished beer. This process can produce sweet and buttery flavors and aromas.

Measuring Color

Through the ages categorizing beer colors has changed and become much more scientific and precise. Previous color measuring methods, such as the Lovibond scale, compared beer to pre-set color samples. However, this method relied too much on the visual appearance of beer and could be compromised by human error such as color blindness. Brewers now have a much more precise method for measuring the wide range of subtle color options for beers, known as the SRM.

What is SRM?

The Standard Reference Method is the finished beer and malt color measurement system adopted by the American Society of Brewing Chemists (ASBC) since 1950. This method uses a spectrophotometer to measure the absorption of a specific wavelength of light through 1 cm of beer. Other brewing agencies such as the European Brewing Convention have also converted to measuring light absorption as well.

Let North Slope Chillers help you perfect your brew across the whole spectrum. Portable fermentation chillers from North Slope Chillers can keep your ingredients and equipment at optimal temperatures throughout the brewing process with very little effort.

(866) 826-2993 or email us at [email protected]

What is Glycol?

Adam Jacobs · May 2, 2019 ·

Chemically Critical

Glycol is a chemical commonly used in process cooling to reduce the temperature of materials for manufacturing. It’s used everywhere from lasers to dairy, and is often paired with water to hit freezing points well below zero. But don’t drink it!

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Fluxwrap — Glycol can be used in cooling wraps to help bring down temperatures to desired levels.

Glycol: Keeping Things Cool

If you work with chillers in your industry, you likely have used glycol before. But what is it?

ethylene glycol molecular structure — Molecular structure of ethylene glycol

Chemical Uses

Glycol (HOCH₂CH₂OH) is a mildly toxic chemical that alters the freezing temperature of water. According to the American Chemistry Council, ethylene glycol (commonly referred to as glycol) is used for process cooling in many industries:

Ethylene glycol, a derivative of ethylene oxide, is used for the manufacture of polyester fiber for clothes, upholstery, carpet, and pillows and the blending of automotive engine antifreeze and coolant. Ethylene glycol is also used to manufacture fiberglass for products such as jet skis, bathtubs, and bowling balls. A major use is in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, a recyclable plastic, such as soda and water bottles.

Glycol and Water

When it comes to using glycol heaters or chillers, propylene glycol is the most important chemical when you have to balance cooling a product and preventing water from freezing. When mixed with glycol, water freezes at lower temperatures, allowing for cooler liquids to flow through a chiller system without the danger of the system freezing up.

The freezing levels of glycol by itself is 9°F. Mixing glycol with water lowers the new mixture’s freezing point, but that freezing point depends on the ratio of glycol to water. For example, an ambient temperature of -50°F can be reached with a 55% glycol, 45% water ratio.

Glycol in Chillers

Chillers use glycol-water mixtures to provide cooling to products and materials that need to be kept at a low, stable temperature. Glycol manufacturers such as Du Pont are required by law to provide a glycol level recommendation chart to consumers.

Learn More

Though not a glycol manufacturer, North Slope Chillers is an expert in the use of propylene glycol in chiller systems. For more information about glycol concentrations, click here.

Laser Chillers

Lasers: The Cutting Edge

Types of Lasers