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Portable Chillers For Injection Molding

Brooke Loeffler · Jul 14, 2020 ·

Plastic Injection Molding

Plastic injection molding is a crucial manufacturing process in today’s modern world. The ability to mass produce identical plastic components further drives innovation and industrial progress every year. The goals of successful plastic manufacturing are precision, repeatability, and speed. These same goals should be applied to cooling plastic as well.

The cooling process can consume at least 80% of the overall plastic manufacturing time. That means, by applying an efficient industrial cooler to the injection molding process, you can greatly reduce the amount of time spent on each batch. But where does one begin the process of looking for an injection molding chiller? Let’s take a closer look.

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What to Know When Selecting an Injection Molding Chiller

Cooling molten plastic is a complex science with many variables. However, there are certain questions that will guide you when selecting an injection molding chiller.

What are my melting points?

Plastic melting temperatures vary greatly depending upon the type of plastic required for the job. Knowing the molten temperature of your plastic in the nozzle is the first step in selecting a chiller that will cool it before ejection. Here are some common plastic melting points and ranges:

North Slope Chillers graphic on the melting points of common injection molding plastics

Polypropylene (PP): 320° F (160° C)
Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): 356-464° F (180-240° C)
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): 410-518° F (210-270° C)
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS): 374- 518° F (190-270° C)
High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS): 356-518° F (180 – 270° C)
General Purpose Polystyrene (GPPS): 338-536° F (170-280° C)
Polyoxymethylene: (POM): 347° F (175° C)
Acetal: 356-410° F (180-210° C)
Acrylic: 428-482° F (220-250° C)
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU): 374-428° F (190-220° C)
Polycarbonate: 550° F (287° C)

These melting points and ranges may vary depending upon the plastic manufacturer. Be sure to thoroughly research your plastic’s heating needs so you know what your goal temperatures are.

What are my HDTs?

Next, research the Heat Distortion Temperature (HDT) of your plastic selection. Plastic components need to be chilled below their HDT in order to avoid deformation when ejected from the mold. HDTs differ depending upon the plastic’s composition, the molten density, and the pressure in the mold. Again, consult your plastics manufacturer to ensure you know your chosen material’s temperature ranges.

What is my desired mold temperature?

Proper plastic chilling is more involved than just cooling as quickly as possible…it involves carefully hitting temperature targets. Your plastic manufacturer will also be able to provide the ideal mold temperature for your plastic selection. Achieving your mold temperature allows your plastics to cool and crystallize properly in the mold. Proper crystallization prevents cavity formation, stress cracking, creeping and seeping plastic, and other deformities.

How much space do I have?

Injection molding equipment can take up a large amount of space on the factory floor. Because chilling equipment can greatly add to that footprint, you will need to know how much room you have to work with. Water cooled chillers use a cooling tower that takes up more space than air cooled chillers, so select an industrial chiller that will meet your space requirements.

How much cooling power do I need?

Chiller sizes are traditionally listed according to “tons.” Tons does not refer to the actual weight of the chiller, but instead is a historical reference to a time when blocks of ice were harvested for cooling. Just like engines are still measured according to “horsepower”, the term “tons of refrigeration” stuck around. 1 ton of cooling power = 12,000 btus per hour.

Cooling power for your injection mold

North Slope Chiller graphic on injection mold cooling

As a general rule of thumb, 1 ton of cooling power is sufficient to cool the following flow rates of molten plastics to a safe ejection temperature:

30 lbs/hour of HDPE
35 lbs/hour of LDPE
35 lbs/hour of PP
50 lbs/hour of HIPS and GPPS
50 lbs/hour of ABS
65 lbs/hour of Polycarbonate

Cooling power for additional equipment

In most cases, the injection mold will not be the only piece of equipment in need of cooling. There are other pieces of auxiliary equipment that require process cooling in order to extend your machine’s duty cycle.

Hydraulic motor (additional .1 tons of cooling per horsepower)
Feed Throat (additional .5 tons of cooling)
Thermolator (additional .2 ton per pump horsepower)
Hot Runners (additional .15 ton cooling per kilowatt hour)
Dryer Aftercooler (consult your dryer manufacturer to determine how much additional cooling is required)

What Should An Injection Molding Chiller Have?

Portability

Portable industrial chillers give you a greater amount of flexibility and save valuable floor space.

Quiet Compressors

Anytime you install additional equipment on an injection mold factory floor, you increase the operational noise in your facility. Your chilling unit should be powered by compressors that operate efficiently but quietly. In general, chillers with reciprocating compressors are much louder than centrifugal, scroll, or screw compressors.

Flexible Temperature Ranges

The plastic cooling process will vary depending upon many factors: size and thickness of the plastic part being made, type of plastic, etc. Installing an industrial chiller with the flexibility to hit a range of temperatures broadens your manufacturing capabilities.

Recirculation

Save money and protect our precious resources by installing a recirculating chiller. Recirculation greatly reduces water consumption and will help you save on utility bills in the future.

Precise Temperature Controls

Molten plastic can behave in unpredictable ways unless you hit precise temperature targets during the heating and cooling process. Smart thermostatic controllers give you peace of mind with greater access to cooling time frames and temperature ranges.

Customization

Some injection molding operations require specific components and specifications to meet their cooling needs.

For example, plastic products made for the food and beverage, bio and pharmaceutical, industries must meet FDA standards for food-grade materials. Facilities that manufacture these plastics must maintain clean-room conditions and all equipment must be easy to wipe down and sanitize. Injection mold chillers for these facilities should contain corrosion resistant components. They should also be contained inside easy-to-clean enclosures to help maintain factory cleanliness.

Efficient Cooling Fluids

Injection mold chillers must produce cooling power that is able to penetrate through the mold and efficiently remove heat from the plastic. Fluids such as water/glycol mixes remove waste heat more efficiently than water alone.

North Slope Chillers Injection Mold Chilling Solutions

North Slope Chiller graphic on injection mold cooling solutions

At North Slope Chillers, we are proud to offer portable and powerful injection mold chilling solutions. Easy to install and use, our chillers come with a wide range of cooling temperatures. In addition, our customization process is the fastest on the market and can provide you with the exact specifications you require.

(866) 826-2993 [email protected]

Thermal Vacuum Testing

Brooke Loeffler · Jun 23, 2020 ·

TVCs

Pressurized chambers have become extremely ubiquitous in our modern era. They vary greatly in size and application and their industrial uses continue to expand every year. As technology improves, the environments they are capable of simulating are becoming increasingly more extreme. Let’s take a look at the most extreme pressure chamber out there…a Thermal Vacuum Chamber (TVC).

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What Are Thermal Vacuum Chambers?

TVCs are specialized vacuum chambers that are capable of simulating environments of extreme temperatures and pressures, like those existing in the upper atmosphere and in outer space. They are built in many 3 dimensional forms, all with a range of size, strength, and rigidity.

North Slope Chillers graphic on the shapes of thermal vacuum chambers

More rigid forms can withstand collapse under high pressure differences between the chamber’s interior and exterior. Some larger volume TVCs are equipped with additional rings to increase rigidity.

Thermal Vacuum Chamber Applications

By creating a vacuum environment, scientists can complete a wide range of tests and experiments.

Radiative Thermal Experiments

Radiation is the transmission of heat or energy waves that move through space and solid materials. In a TVC, scientists can measure how heat behaves in a vacuum with no liquid or gaseous particles to transfer it. Earth’s atmosphere provides some protection from solar radiation. In order to determine how products behave when exposed to increased levels in solar radiation, TVCs remove atmospheric gases to simulate space conditions.

North Slope Chillers graphic on the methods of heat transfer

Satellites and other spacecraft experience intense radiation from the sun. Scientists need to measure how much of this radiation will be absorbed by different materials and components, and what damage or deterioration will occur.

Leak Tests

Materials behave differently under different pressures and temperatures…seals can fail, seams can rupture, structural integrity can be compromised. By thoroughly testing products at various pressures, these problems can be identified and corrected before they cause safety issues.

Environmental Cycling

Do you ever wonder how manufacturers can guarantee the longevity of their products, especially when they are measured in years? Some manufacturers run their products through extensive thermal cycling that simulates high pressures and calculated increases and decreases in temperature and humidity levels. These cycles allow scientists to see how durable products are and if they withstand or breakdown after repeated exposure to extreme environments.

Survivability (Pressure Loads and Off-gassing)

Spacecraft and other vehicles are tested to ensure human passengers will stay safe and healthy inside. Aside from obvious implosion and explosion risks, some materials can also outgas and create noxious fumes in extreme environments. TVCs help make sure interior temperatures and pressures remain constant and liveable, and that no materials degrade destructively during use.

Electronic Life-Cycle Testing

Environmental fluctuations affect the usability and durability of electronic products. Ambient air is sometimes used as an insulating medium in some electronics. Changes in temperature, pressure, and humidity can alter the internal working of electronic devices. Compromised insulation in electronics can also cause arcing and electrical failure.

Measuring TVC Pressure and Temperature

Why So Extreme?

Mother nature produces a variety of environmental extremes in space, air, land, and sea. Any products (partial or whole), materials, vehicles, and electronic devices need to be thoroughly tested to make sure these extremes wont result in damage or destruction.

Temperature

At Johnson Space Center in Houston TX, NASA operates one of the largest and most advanced Thermal Vacuum Chamber facilities in the world. The various chambers are capable of reaching temperatures all the way down to -300° F and as high as 400° F.

Pressure

Pressure can be measured by many different units of measurement. The TVCs at NASA measure their pressure levels in torr; 1 torr equals exactly 1/760 of a standard atmosphere (approximately the atmospheric pressure at sea level). These chambers can create pressurized environments that range from 760 torr all the way down to 5 x 10^-6 torr.

Ultra Low Temperature Chilling Solutions from North Slope Chillers

Here at North Slope Chillers, we specialize in portable and powerful industrial process cooling. Our Deep Freeze line features a wide temperature range from -112° F to 70° F. With fully insulated interior components, Deep Freeze operates efficiently with little thermal loss. If you need a liquid cooling system that is ultra cold and reliable, look to Deep Freeze. Contact us today to find the perfect ultra-low temperature solutions for your needs at (866) 826-2993 [email protected]

Chiller Terminology

Brooke Loeffler · Jun 18, 2020 ·

The World of Chilling

Since the advent of mechanical chilling, industrial chillers have become a lucrative and crucial component of the global economy. Industrial chilling has fractured into a wide array of solutions and the demand continues to increase each year. The markets that rely the heaviest on chilling are chemical/petrochemicals, manufacturing (especially plastics), machinery (lasers, EDM, CNC machines), agriculture, construction, printing, server cooling, food and beverage processing, rubber manufacturing, and medical/bio-pharmaceuticals.

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A Guide To Chilling Terminology

Each industry has specific cooling requirements that necessitate different mechanical components, temperature requirements, power needs, fluids, and more. Let’s take a look at some common industrial chiller terms and their applications.

Main Chiller Types:

Air Cooled Chiller

A class of vapor compression chillers that use forced air to remove unwanted heat from a system, (also known as dry fluid chiller).

Adiabatic Chiller

Adiabatic chillers are water conservation units that reduce cooling water consumption by 20%. These chillers use dampened cooling pads instead of constantly circulating water and can be used dry or wet depending upon peak energy demands.

Vapor Absorption Chiller

A type of chiller that uses an absorber and generator to produce suction and compression in the refrigerant; typically has a larger footprint than vapor compression chillers

Vapor Compression Chiller

A type of chiller that uses an evaporator and compressor to produce pressure in the refrigerant.

Water Cooled Chillers

A class of vapor compression chillers that uses water circulating through a cooling tower to remove unwanted heat from a system.

Cool Variations:

Industrial chillers have become highly specialized for a huge variety of applications. Innovative energy sources, heat dispersal methods, alternate fluids, and special internal/external components make these variations very “cool.”

Air Conditioner

Typical air conditioners are chiller units that use cooled liquid to remove heat and humidity from the air and expel waste heat out of an occupied building or vehicle. Air conditioners are primarily used to provide comfortable climate control.

Air Handler

An air handler is a unit that contains all the mechanical components needed to move air throughout a space. Air handlers can be used for climate control with either an air conditioner or heater.

Ammonia Chiller

In order to reduce a chiller’s carbon footprint and lifecycle operating costs, a few manufacturers are using ammonia as a refrigerant instead of typical hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Ammonia chillers are not widely used as of yet, but appear to be generally more energy efficient than other models.

Counterflow Chiller

Counterflow chillers are most commonly used for brewing. A counterflow wort chiller is a coiled section of double layered tubing. Hot liquid wort is gravity fed through the inner tube in one direction, and cold liquid is pumped through the outer tube in the opposite direction. This counterflow in opposite directions greatly speeds up the heat transfer process and cools the wort quicker.

Dual Condenser Chiller (Heat recovery chiller)

In the quest for more sustainable methods of cooling, some manufacturers are creating chillers with 2 different condensers. These chillers recover the waste heat and use it to heat water for other needs. They are extremely useful for building owners that need cool climate control as well as water heaters for restrooms, cleaning, or other uses.

Dual condenser chillers (or heat recovery chillers) can be very environmentally friendly, and save the owner on operating costs. Some tech companies install dual condenser chillers in their data centers and even pipe hot water into nearby towns to help generate community support.

Engine Driven Chiller (propane chiller, natural gas chiller)

Industrial chillers can be designed to operate off of a gas powered engine instead of electricity. These engine driven chillers are typically powered by either propane or natural gas, which are both clean burning fuels. Because gas flow rate can be adjusted, gas powered chillers can operate at flexible cooling rates to fit the application’s needs. These chillers enable users to continue to cool even during peak electric times.

Evaporative Condenser Chiller

All around us, the process of evaporation is constantly dispelling heat into the ambient air. Evaporative condenser chillers use this cooling method to remove waste heat. Recirculated water continuously wets bare condenser tubes while fans force air over the top and evaporate the condensation. These chillers typically use less water than water cooled chillers.

Geothermal Chillers

Anyone who has ever ventured into a cave has noticed the stability of a cave’s temperature even during the extremes of summer and winter. Consistent geothermal heat from the Earth’s mantle is constantly rising up to the crust on which we live. Geothermal chillers are built to use this heat as both a power source and a heat sink for waste heat. Their specialized pumps move air or water back and forth from the building to a ground depth between 100-200 ft.

Immersion Cooling

The act of submerging of a hot object into a bath of water has been around for ages as a common blacksmith cooling practice. But in recent years, this ancient method is being strategically applied to mechanical chillers. Some innovative data centers have begun cooling computer components in a specialized liquid that is not electrically conductive (called dielectric coolant). These cooling liquids can be made of mineral oil, fluorocarbon fluids, deionized water, or other synthetic proprietary coolants.

Industrial Spot Cooling

Large buildings in need of cooling are like a leaky sieve. Windows, loading docks, doors, and other external openings allow a lot of heat to penetrate the building, overwork chillers, and increase energy uses and costs. Some of these buildings are choosing to use strategic spot cooling instead of just blowing cool air throughout the entire building. Spot cooling targets heat sources directly instead of bathing the entire environment. Chilled air is focused on heat sources like machinery, equipment, and concentrations of warm human bodies.

Inline Chilling

Inline chillers simply bring cooling power directly to the production line. Instead of moving materials off the conveyor belt to be chilled as they are processed, automated chillers can be installed directly into the manufacturing line to cool products as they pass by.

Marine Chiller System

Marine chillers circulate cold freshwater through pipes onboard boats and other sea vessels. Air is then forced over these cold pipes to provide cooling for cabin comfort and machinery.

Outdoor Chiller

Industrial chillers can be specially designed to be installed outdoors (such as on rooftops). These units are packaged to provide extra protection for vents, wiring, electronics, and moving parts to protect them from rain, dust and other contaminants.

Recirculating Chiller

Recirculating chillers continuously pump water or other cooling fluids (like a water/glycol mix) through their system. Closed loops chillers that re-use these fluids can greatly reduce water usage and operating costs.

Spindle Chiller

CNC and other vertical machining units generate a great deal of highly focused heat in their spindles. An overheating spindle can be dangerous, destructive, and very costly to repair or replace. Spindle chillers are specialized chillers that continuously run cool fluid through the spindle itself to remove waste heat.

Compressor Types:

Centrifugal Compressor

A type of compressor that uses rotating impellers to compress and push refrigerant around the refrigeration circuit.

Magnetic Bearing Compressors

These specialized centrifugal compressors do not need oil lubricant in order to operate. Instead, the compressor turns with the help of magnetic ball bearings that greatly reduce friction. Less friction means less noise, reduced energy use, and less heat, which increases the chiller’s efficiency. The magnetic bearings also allow the compressor to operate at variable speeds for partial cooling needs or full cooling needs. These compressors have become extremely useful for the U.S. Navy, and their applications continue to expand every year.

Reciprocating Compressor

A type of compressor that uses pistons and chambers that increases the pressure of the refrigerant.

Screw Compressor

This compressor uses interlocking helical rotors to compress refrigerant and are much more quiet than reciprocating compressors.

Scroll Compressor

A type of compressor that uses 2 spiral plates (1 rotating, 1 fixed) to compress refrigerant.

Variable Speed Scroll Compressor

Variable speed compressors speed up or slow down to accommodate fluctuating cooling needs. They are most commonly used in HVAC systems to keep buildings at a target temperature instead of running continuously.

Digital Scroll Compressor

These compressors are digitally programmed to turn on or off as needed. Modulating the compressor in this manner enables the chiller to change its operation as cooling loads fluctuate.

Hermetic and Semi-Hermetic Compressor

To protect the interior of a compressor from dirt and other debris, some compressors can be fully or partially hermetically sealed while operational. These contaminants adversely affect the compressor’s lubrication, cause overheating, increase friction and noise, and reduce the overall lifetime of the chiller.

Inner Workings:

Brazing

Brazing is very similar to the practice of soldering and involves the heated fusing of metals. Brazing uses higher temperatures than soldering (above 840° F), and also produces a stronger joint. It is a common process in the creation of internal chiller parts, and increases a component’s resilience against extremes in temperature and pressure.

Chiller Controllers

Some chillers come equipped with basic controllers that allow a user to control temperature ranges, cooling schedules, and other factors. Smart controllers can also provide automated industrial temperature control and remote access to industrial chilling equipment.

Chiller Piping

The careful construction and layout of a chilling system’s internal and external piping has a great impact on its efficiency. Pipe size, materials, thermal conductivity, condensation, and proximity to heat sources, all play a role in how hard a chiller has to work in order to remove waste heat. Carbon, stainless steel, plastic, and copper are all common materials used in chiller pipes.

Cooling Tower (closed loop, open loop)

A cooling tower is a device in a water cooled chiller that uses a stream of water to extract unwanted heat from a system. There are 2 different types of cooling towers: closed loop/closed circuit or open loop/open circuit. In a closed loop cooling tower, there is no direct contact between the ambient air and fluid being cooled. In an open loop cooling tower, the fluid flows over an air-water interface. The water is cooled as it flows over this interface before it re-enters the chiller.

Deionized Water

Deionized water has been stripped of elemental ion impurities. It is used in deionized chillers for specialized applications such as cooling equipment for lasers and EDM (electrical discharge machining).

Glycol

Propylene and ethylene glycol are chemical anti-freezes. Glycol is added to water to decrease its freezing point, prevent bacterial growth, and reduce corrosion.

Heat Pump Chiller

Heat pumps are very similar to regular chillers, but include 1 very important addition. Their refrigeration circuit contains a reversing valve that allows it to change functions during the winter months. During the winter, the evaporator and condenser’s operations are reversed to provide hot water used for heating.

Plate Chiller

Brazed plate chillers are an extremely efficient heat transfer unit made of a stack of metal plates that create a series of fluid paths. As the process fluid and refrigerant pass over each individual plate, heat is exchanged from 1 fluid to the other.

Refrigerant

Refrigerants are a compound of chemicals that transfer heat from one area to another within the refrigeration cycle. They are specifically designed to evaporate and condense at set temperatures and pressures

Soldering

Soldering involves the heated fusing of metals at a temperature around 840° F. 2 metal components are fused with a 3rd melted filler metal. In some cases soldering produces a joint strong enough for a chilling application. However for certain internal parts, brazing (mentioned above) is a stronger choice.

North Slope Chillers Versatile Cooling Solutions

North Slope Chillers’ industrial cooling solutions will cool down your operation without interrupting the layout of your current system. We offer several levels of industrial water chiller systems, fluid chillers, and proprietary chilling accessories to provide precise, compact, and efficient temperature control.

We are also proud to offer the fastest customization process on the market. Our world-class engineers are standing by to create a perfect tailor-made cooling solution for your exact needs. Contact us today at (866) 826-2993 or [email protected]

Cryo Chilling and Its Cool Applications

Emma Pollock · Jun 17, 2020 ·

Cryo Chilling is super cool. Like -238 °F (-180°C) cool. Unlike traditional methods of cooling, cryo chilling uses the lowest attainable temperatures on earth. These insanely low temps allow us to do some pretty cool things like create superconductivity, facilitate specific chemical reactions, and easily pulverize materials for recycling

What is Cryogenics?

Cryogenics is a discipline of physics that focuses on creating and experimenting with extremely low temperatures. While there is no universal standard that defines the temperature at which cryogenics begins, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology considers -180°C (123 K, -238 °F) the starting point of cryo chilling.

How cryo chilling works

Cryogenic chilling is possible thanks to cryogenic fluids: helium, hydrogen, neon, nitrogen, air, fluorine, argon, oxygen and methane. Because these elements are naturally in a gaseous state, extremely technical multi-step manipulation is required to condense them into liquids.

Liquid nitrogen is the most commonly used element in cryo chilling and is legal to purchase anywhere in the world. Liquid helium is also frequently used and allows for the lowest attainable temperatures.

Cooling/freezing can be achieved via a few different methods. In one method, a liquid cryogenic is kept in a storage vessel and piped to the area to be cooled. The liquid then returns to the vessel. Submersion freezers are another common cyro chilling system. Other common systems involve surrounding the workpiece with a low temperature vapor.

Disciplines of Cryogenics

While cryogenics refers to the physics of utilizing extremely low temperatures, within this application of science are several more specific disciplines. Let’s take a look a quick look at each:

Cryobiology

Cryobiology involves the study of the effects of low temperatures on organisms. Most often, this application is used to achieve cryopreservation.

Cryopreservation

Cryopreservation is the cryogenic preservation of genetic material with the goal of preserving a breed.

Cryosurgery

Cryosurgery uses cryogenic temperatures to destroy malignant tissue such as cancer cells.

Cryoelectronics

Cryoelectronics is the study of electronic phenomena at cryogenic temperatures. This includes superconductivity and variable-range hopping.

Cryotronics

Cryotronics includes the practical applications of cryoelectronics.

Cryonics

Thanks to its appearance in sci-fi and pop culture, cryonics is one of the better-known applications of cryogenics. Cryonics is the cryopreservation of humans or animals with intent to revive in the future.

History of Cryogenics

In 1908, after successfully liquefying helium, Lamerlingh Onnes began studying the properties of various materials kept at cryogenic temperatures. He first began studying the electrical resistance of metals at these extremely low temperatures. Before his experiments, it was presumed that electrical resistance would completely disappear at exactly absolute zero. However, Onnes discovered that for some metals, resistance dropped very suddenly to zero at temperatures above absolute zero. This effect is called superconductivity.

During World War II, scientists discovered that metals that went through a cryo chilling process displayed greater resistance to wear and tear. This led to the commercialization of cryogenic hardening in the 1960s. In 1965, Ed Busch founded CryoTech. This company was the first cryogenic processing facility and experimented in increasing the life of metals tools between 300%-500%

Applications of Cryo Chilling

When it comes to cryogenics, the possibilities are only limited to our imaginations! While this list is by no means exhaustive, it covers just a few of our favorite examples of cryo cooling in action.

NMR and MRI

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is one of the most common ways to determine the chemical and physical properties of atoms. Typically, this is done by cryo chilling electromagnets to limit resistance and generate strong magnetic fields. Next, scientists monitor the radiofrequency absorbed and subsequent relaxation of the nuclei exposed to the magnetic field. Chemists use NMR to determine molecular identity and structure.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a more complex application of NMR used frequently in the medical field. MRI technology uses the resonances produced by cryo chilled electromagnets to generate a detailed image of internal body structures.

Medical

Beyond MRI, cryogenics is used often throughout the medical field.

As mentioned earlier, cryosurgery uses cryogenic temperatures to destroy malignant tissue such as cancer cells. This can be done on internal and external tumors as well as tumors in the bone. For internal tumors, a cryoprobe is used. Argon gas or liquid nitrogen passes through the probe and onto the malignant cells. Ice crystals form in the cells, decrease the cell density, and the cells tear themselves apart.

Cryogenic chilling is also used to produce certain pharmaceuticals like statin drugs. The chemical reactions necessary for the production of these drugs require low temperatures, typically around -100 °C (-148 ° F).

Electronics

Cryoelectronics is a relatively new field and many studies are still going on to develop revolutionary applications. Such studies typically involve the utilization of superconductivity made possible by cryo chilling.

Currently, scientists are working on using cryoelectronics to mass produce computers at a cheaper cost.

In large cities where underground electric power cables are used, increased resistance and heat causes a good chunk of power to go to waste. Superconductors could increase power throughput; this would require the use of cryogenic cooling of cables.of cryogenic chiller systems on cables.

Recycling

Some recyclable materials like rubber and soft plastics are not easily milled for reprocessing. With cryo freezing, however, items are immersed in liquid nitrogen then shattered and pulverized for easy separation and reprocessing.

Manufacturing

In metal fabrication, cryogenic chiller systems can be an important part of heat tempering processes. To increase the strength of the metal, after it is heated and molded/fabricated, cryogenic chilling cools the material to approximately – 196°C (78 K, 320°F). Typically, this is followed by a heat tempering procedure.

During manufacturing processes that involve machining, cryogenic process chillers are used to cool the tool tips. This increases the tool life and helps maintain product quality.

Cryogenic process chillers are also used throughout the manufacturing industry to remove unwanted heat from manufacturing processes.

Food Transportation and Storage

When large quantities of food are stored and transported, cryogenic gases are used to keep food frozen.

Aerospace

It’s thanks to cryogenic fuel that rockets make it into orbit. Most commonly, liquid hydrogen is used as fuel and liquid oxygen is used as an oxidizer.

Dining & Entertainment

Cryogenics are often used to create special effects at shows, night clubs, and even in movies.

Some restaurants even use cryogenic gases to add special effects to drinks and dishes.

Infrared Cameras

Because infrared cameras create images by detecting heat, the camera itself can’t be warmer than the object it’s recording. Cryo process cooling is used to keep the camera and equipment cool.

The Future of Cryo Cooling

Applying cryo cooling to various processes continues to open doors to new possibilities. We’re excited to see what these sub zero chillers make possible in the next five, ten, and twenty years!

Pressure Vessel Cooling

Brooke Loeffler · Jun 12, 2020 ·

Under Pressure

Since Leonardo Da Vinci first sketched a design for a pressurized chamber in 1495, innovators have been intrigued by the possibilities of pressurized applications. However, it was not until the Industrial Revolution of the late 1800s that pressure vessels were actually constructed and used. Those early models were faulty, dangerous, and required decades of tinkering, redesigning, and material strength breakthroughs to resemble the pressure vessels of today.

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Pressure vessels are closed containers that are specially designed to create internal pressures that are higher or lower than ambient pressure. They vary greatly in shape, size, composition, and operating limits depending on the application in which they are used. They can be constructed to contain a range of pressurized liquids or gasses and vapors. Common pressure vessels include, autoclaves, compressed gas cylinders, heat exchangers, pressure cookers, and vacuum chambers.

Pressure Vessel Applications

Most pressure vessels can be sorted into 4 generic categories: Storage, Processing, Vehicular Transportation, and Heat Exchanging.

Storage

One of the most common pressure vessel applications is for storing and dispersing gases and liquids. These vessels can range from massive industrial storage tanks all the way down to small handheld vessels such as asthma inhalers.

Processing

Pressure vessels are crucial to a huge range of industrial processes. They can be used to dry, distill, de-gas, bond materials together, sterilize, cool, crystallize, and more. They are used in manufacturing, food and beverage processing, laboratory research, defense, auto and aerospace…the list is constantly expanding and evolving as technology advances.

Vehicular Transportation

Did you know there are pressure vessels flying overhead almost all the time? Technically, the moment a commercial aircraft reaches an altitude where the outside pressure is different than the inside pressure, it has become a pressurized vessel. Submarines, deep ocean submersibles, and spacecraft also fall into the category of vehicular pressure vessels.

Heat Exchanging

The invention of mechanical cooling has advanced every field of industry and affects every aspect of our lives. Pressurized heat exchangers make modern manufacturing and processing possible. Most industrial processes generate some form of heat. That heat can damage materials, cause delays, and create unsafe working conditions. Heat exchangers’ ability to remove waste heat from an industrial process has improved efficiency, safety, and comfort the world over.

Why Pressurize?

Why do so many industries use pressurized vessel tanks?

Convenience

There are a number of reasons why many gasses and liquids are stored in pressurized vessels. Compression allows for a greater volume of storage than if left at ambient pressures, which means you don’t need to refill as often and it conserves storage space. Imagine a scuba diver strapping an ambient pressure container to their back that was filled with all the air they would need for hours. It would be enormous, and completely impractical. Pressurized storage greatly eases transportation and maneuverability for a huge range of materials.

Protection

In addition to convenience, pressure vessels can offer a greater level of protection to the materials inside. Pressure vessels provide greater protection from corrosion, contamination, and extreme temperatures that can destabilize the contents.

Material Testing

Pressure vessels can be built to create an internal environment that mimics specific environmental and atmospheric conditions. Before materials and products can be used in extreme environments such as at high altitudes, deep ocean, or in space, they must be rigorously tested to ensure their safety. These chambers allow manufacturers to also test a material’s overall integrity including flexibility, structural deficiency, permeability, bond strength and more.

Pressure Vessel Cooling

Vessel Filling

The gas pressure law states that when the volume is fixed, the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature. So that means when gas is pumped into a rigid container of fixed volume, like a pressure vessel, its temperature will increase as its pressure increases. The opposite is also true, as you release pressure from a pressurized vessel, the vessel will cool down.

North Slope Chillers graphic on the gas pressure law and pressure vessel cooling

Some dive shops will submerge their pressure tanks in water as they fill them, to keep them from overheating and make them easier to handle. That may work for smaller vessels, but how do you chill larger pressure tanks as they are being filled?

Cooling jackets are extremely versatile solutions to this problem and wrap tightly around pressurized tanks to remove waste heat as they are being filled.

Material Testing

Some pressurized vessels are built to simply recreate the same internal environment over and over again. Others are more adaptable and can be connected to various equipment that control changes in humidity, temperature, radiation levels, and other atmospheric conditions. These specialized pressure tanks are crucial in the field of product material testing for extreme environments.

North Slope Chillers Pressure Vessel Cooling Solutions

North Slope Chillers graphic on pressure vessel cooling solutions

Portable Industrial Chillers

North Slope Chillers’ portable industrial chillers will cool down your operation without interrupting the layout of your current system. We offer several levels of industrial water chiller systems that span a wide range of temperatures from 85°F all the way down to -112°F. Easy to install, remove, and relocate, you will be happy to have a compact and efficient chiller that is painless and easy to use.

Fluxwrap

Fluxwrap™ is a versatile fluid temperature control solution for heating or cooling. This proprietary wrap comes equipped with fluid channels that can be filled quickly with either a heating or cooling liquid, depending on your needs. These fluid channels deliver efficient temperature control directly to any surface they surround. Fluxwrap is lightweight, compact, and easily wraps around vessels of all shapes and sizes. It will also conform to uneven surfaces to maintain high thermal conductivity between the wrap and your vessel.

Customized Cooling

North Slope Chillers knows that one size does not fit all. We are proud to offer the most thorough and quickest customized process cooling options on the market. Instead of searching endlessly for the right chiller, or compromising on some of your requirements, why not custom design the exact cooling solution you need? By working with our world class team of engineers you can make sure you find a pressure vessel cooling solution that is designed for your exact requirements.