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Heat Sinks and Process Cooling

Brooke Loeffler · Mar 24, 2020 ·

What is a Heat Sink?

Essentially every mechanical and electronic device generates some measure of heat, such as: cell phones, computers, refrigerators, disc players, microprocessors, cars, and many others. Over time this heat causes internal (and sometimes external) damage and eventually breaks down the device all together. Without cooling, these devices’ components are susceptible to cracking, melting, and short circuiting. Heat sinks are specialized heat exchangers that use the laws of thermodynamics to remove waste heat from these devices. Heat sinks come in a huge range of shapes, sizes, layouts, and compositions. However, the basic concept remains the same across the board.

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How do Heat Sinks Work?

There are many different thermal and physical forces at work around a heat sink. Let’s take a closer look.

The Forces at Play

Heat Transfer

To find out how heat sinks work, we need to cover a basic knowledge of how heat is transferred from 1 object to another.

There are 3 different ways that heat can move from 1 object to another: conduction, convection, and radiation. Conduction requires physical contact between solid objects in order for heat to move. An easy example would be setting a pot on top of an electric stove. Heat is directly transferred from the stove into the surface of the pan.

Now to see convection in action, imagine you fill the pot with water. Heat will circulate and move through the liquid molecules so that even the water molecules in the center of the pot get hotter. The easiest way to understand the process of radiation is to walk outside into the sunshine. Electromagnetic waves from the sun are radiating down on us every day.

North Slope Chillers diagram on how a heat sink works

Heat sinks primarily use conduction and convection to remove unwanted heat. Heat generated by the device is piped or captured by a layer of thermal interface material. This thermal layer must eliminate all the spaces under the heat sink base, even miniscule ones due to surface roughness. Conduction relies upon direct contact, so more complete coverage = more effective heat transfer.

Fin Design and Layout

The greater the surface area of a heat sink, the more efficiently it will dissipate heat. There really are an infinite number of ways a heat sink can be designed; as a result, they come in all shapes and sizes. The size of the fins, their layout, their shape, and orientation all play a factor. Engineers will design a heat sink’s shape and layout based upon the heat load of the device in question.

Heat Sink Materials

There are multiple factors to consider when choosing a heat sink material. First and foremost, is the material’s ability to transfer heat (thermal conductivity), density, and of course cost. Heat sinks are typically made from aluminum or copper. Both metals are very thermally conductive and transfer heat efficiently. Copper however is denser than aluminum, and for some devices (like cell phones), weight absolutely matters.

Some heat sink manufacturers are crafting woven graphite composite models that are extremely light and conductive. In the last several years, a new proprietary material called CarbAl™ was created by Applied Nanotech Inc. Lighter than aluminum and highly conductive, it has become a valued heat sink material for specialized devices and is even used by NASA.

Heat Sink Applications

Processors

Heat sinks are most commonly used on processors. They can greatly vary in size, depending upon the device, from large all the way down to nano/micro heat sinks. Depending upon the heat load, some heat sinks will be liquid cooled because liquids can absorb and expel heat more effectively than air. High performance computers, data centers, and server farms will frequently combine heat sinks with liquid cooling to keep their large banks of equipment running cooler and more quietly. For added chilling power, these sites can also use a water/glycol mixture instead of ordinary water.

Soldering

Manufacturers sometimes install temporary heat sinks as they solder circuit boards. Soldering irons generate an extreme amount of heat. As we know through conduction, that heat will transfer to materials on the board and damage nearby sensitive electronic components. Installing a temporary heat sink will allow the solderer to work without compromising the surrounding circuit board.

Vehicles

Heat sinks are used in multiple locations on modern vehicles: oil coolers, radiators, electronics, transmission coolers, lithium batteries…basically any place that is susceptible to waste heat. Each vehicular heat sink will look different and be manufactured with its specific task in mind.

Heat Sink Cooling

When it comes to keeping devices cool, the heat sink is only half of the equation. The other half involves process cooling, or removing the waste heat. For the majority of cases, this will involve using either air or liquid.

Air Process Cooling

Some devices are equipped with internal fans to force air across and through the heat sink. For some instances, that fan will sufficiently expel heat away from the device. Larger or more complicated devices that have to work harder and longer will need additional process cooling power. For example, a single run-of-the-mill computer processor in your home office will have a built in internal fan that will automatically turn on when needed.

On the flip side, for a bank of processors in an office building or lab, that are running complex programs or high end graphics cards for long periods of time, more heavy duty process cooling is essential. In these cases, installing an industrial air cooled chiller will help protect valuable equipment and keep devices running safely and smoothly.

Liquid Process Cooling

To boost your cooling power even more, liquid cooling is the answer. Liquid (either water or a water glycol mix) absorbs heat more efficiently than air. Using an industrial liquid cooled chiller can provide you with added peace of mind that your equipment, devices, and machinery will be able to keep operating without heat damage or malfunction.

North Slope Chillers Heat Sink Cooling Solutions

Partner your hard working heat sink with efficient and powerful process cooling. Here at North Slope Chillers, our industrial chillers are portable and easily installed without disrupting the layout of your current setup. With a wide range of chiller sizes, temperature ranges, and cooling options, you can keep your equipment cool and running happily.

We also specialize in fast custom cooling solutions that can be designed to meet your exact cooling needs. Contact us today to find the right process cooling partner at (866) 826-2993 [email protected]

Water Jet Cutting

Brooke Loeffler · Mar 16, 2020 ·

No Matter How You Slice It

Most industries have multiple options when it comes to cutting machinery. Between lasers, EDM (Electrical Discharge Machinery), plasma cutters, and water jet cutters we are spoiled for choice. Each cutting method has pros and cons and all have evolved into efficient and useful industrial tools. In the last 90 years, water jet cutters have become highly tuned machines capable of powerful and intricate results.

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History of Water Jet Cutting

Innovative humans have found water a useful erosion tool for many ages. For example, ancient Roman miners used water for soft material excavations when mining underground. They would store water above a mine and flush the mining cavity to remove debris and expose what they were mining for. During the California gold rush in the 1850s, gold seekers used higher pressure water hoses to blast away at the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This hydraulic mining practice was discovered to be extremely damaging to the surrounding environment and has since mostly fallen out of practice.

However, the use of water jets to erode specific materials has continued in many applications. In the 1930s, a paper company in Wisconsin began using a highly focused water jet to cut paper. The technological advances spurred by World War II led scientists to begin to fine tune and increase the pressure and power of water jet cutters. Also in the 1930s, multiple developers worked on water jets with added pieces of abrasive materials to vastly increase their cutting power.

In 1956, an inventor in Luxembourg created a water jet that could cut out plastic shapes. 2 years later, North American Aviation began using an ultra high powered water jet cutter that reached 100,000 psi and could cut through hard materials. This water jet was proven to be too powerful for certain laminate materials, but its development was helpful in fine-tuning future models.

In 1962, an American chemical company named Union Carbide developed a 50,000 psi water jet that was able to cut a variety of hard materials like stone and metal. Over the next few decades, scientists refined water jet nozzles and equipment to make them more versatile, more efficient, and longer lasting.

Technology was pushed even further in the 1980s when researchers began using ice as an abrasive material to reduce the environmental impact of water jet waste.

Modern Water Jets

North Slope Chillers infographic ranking water jet cutters among famous speeds

The automotive, aviation, and oil mining industries continued to drive the development and refinement of water jet cutters for many years. Today, water jet machines are highly versatile and can still be tuned for soft materials like paper and leather, and amplified for extremely high pressures and exit velocities. The average water jet nozzle generates 40,000-60,000 psi and the water exits the nozzle around 1,700 (mph) miles per hour. Hyper water jets can reach 100,000 psi and exit velocities of over 2,200 mph! Modern water jet machines range in size, power, and application and are used in many industries to provide them with heat and chemical free cutting for a huge range of materials.

How Does a Water Jet Cutter Work?

Pure vs. Abrasive

Water jet systems can either employ a pure stream of high pressure water or can contain added abrasive materials to increase its cutting power. Whether pure water or abrasive, the general concept is the same.

North Slope Chiller graphic showing the parts of a water jet nozzle and how it works

A high pressure hydraulic pump generates the water pressure levels needed for the cutting application. The highly pressurized water passes through a jewel orifice, usually a ruby (red corundum) or a diamond. The jewel must be as high as possible on the Moh’s hardness scale in order to protect it from eroding in the water stream. From here, the water flow is greatly restricted to a fine stream and all of the water pressure is converted into velocity. Some water jet nozzles emit water streams as thin as a human hair.

If needed, abrasive materials are now added to the water stream. The most common abrasive used is tiny powdered fragments of garnet, however silicon carbide, aluminum oxide, and even ice are sometimes used as well. The water jet leaves the nozzle faster than the speed of sound, and in some applications can reach over Mach 3!

Cryojets

Cryojets are water jet machines that use chilled water and ice particles as the abrasive substance. There are many advantages to using chilled water and ice as your cutting medium. Previously, the food industry could only use pure water jet machines because garnet and other abrasives are not safe to use on food.

Using an abrasive additive can increate a water jet’s cutting power 1000 times. By introducing ice particles as an option for abrasives, cryojets have innovatively created a safe and sanitary cutting solution.

Water Jet Cutting Applications

Aerospace

Water jet machinery and the aerospace industry go back a long way. For military or commercial aircraft, water jets cut interior cabin panels, engine components, metal and composite fiber body panels, rubber seals, and more.

Automotive

Water jets are convenient for cutting exterior and interior automotive components. Carbon fiber, fiberglass, seat foam, engine components, carpet, body panels, engine insulation…you name it, water jets can cut it.

Construction

Residential and commercial construction suppliers use water jet machines to cut a huge array of materials: stone, metal, tiles, glass, insulation and more.

Manufacturing

Looking into the broader manufacturing industry it is hard to find a task that a water jet cutter can’t perform: light textiles like fabric and paper, heavy duty metal parts, cable stripping, circuit boards, and even the special packaging used in shipping.

Food Processing

Pure water or cryojet cutters are used all the time for slitting and slicing frozen meat (including bone), vegetables, and a wide range of snacking goodies.

Water Jet Advantages

Operation

Water jet machines are typically simpler to set up and operate than EDM, plasma, and laser cutters. They also require less fine tuning and maintenance, and are much easier to repair and maintain. Their great versatility also makes them extremely valuable for any operation.

Heat and Chemical Free

Water jet machinery transfers very little heat to the cutting material. Small amounts of heat can be generated due to friction and the velocity at which the water jet hits the surface, but that heat is quickly dispersed into the water itself. This greatly reduces the chance of heat warping, melting, deformation, or discoloration as the materials are cut.

Because little to no heat is generated, water jets can be used on a wider range of sensitive materials like plastics, paper, leather, and even food. Water jets also do not emit harmful chemically loaded vapors as they cut, making it a safer work environment for personnel.

Water Jet Problems

Waste

Obviously water jet cutting is going to generate a large amount of waste water. This wastewater will also contain added abrasive powders, so it is not easily recycled. However, cryojets can use closed loop systems to recirculate the waste water to be used again and again.

Difficult Materials

Water jets are difficult to use on materials with empty spaces or voids such as tubing or honeycombed materials. Water jets can sometimes bend, taper, and change shape as they interact with the cutting material. Some manufacturers have engineered solutions to some of these problems, but it is still a possibility.

Hydraulic Pump Overheating

A water jet machine is only as powerful as its hydraulic pump allows. In most cases, a hydraulic pump should not critically overheat unless something is malfunctioning. However, high seasonal ambient temperatures can also cause hydraulic pump distress and reduce the duty cycle of your water jet machine. Additional process cooling may be necessary if you plan to use your water jet during the summer months.

North Slope Chiller Water Jet Solutions

Here at North Slope Chillers, we specialize in portable process cooling solutions that won’t interfere with your current setup. We can keep your machinery operating within safe temperatures, fluid reservoirs chilled, and provide custom chilling solutions for problems you never even anticipated. Our expert engineers can quickly create the exact cooling range and setup that would be beneficial for your operation.

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Wide World of Lasers

Brooke Loeffler · Mar 10, 2020 ·

What Can Lasers Do?

In today’s modern age, a more appropriate question would be “what can’t lasers do?” When Theodore Maiman built and demonstrated the first functioning laser in 1960, he prophetically predicted that “a laser is a solution seeking a problem.”

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As the years have passed, it has become clear how accurate that statement truly is. Laser technology has solved an ever expanding range of problems over the last 60 years, and continues to solve more every year. That first solid state, ruby laser demonstration in 1960 triggered the discovery and development of many different laser families. Let’s explore these varying laser media and some of the ways they are used today.

North Slope Chillers infographic on the applications of lasers by laser medium

Diode/Semiconductor

Diode or semiconductor lasers are the most common type of laser medium. A diode laser is composed of thin slices of semiconducting material known as a p-n junction. A small electric pulse excites the junction between the positively and negatively stacked diodes, and a laser beam is born.

Consumer Electronics Applications

Diode lasers are found in a huge range of electronic devices available to consumers. Their scanning abilities are helpfully used in barcode readers, disc readers (CD/DVD/Blu-ray players), printer, and scanners. They are also widely used as components in fiber optics communications.

Industrial Applications

Many different industries use diode lasers for cutting, welding, scanning, LIDAR, heat treating, distance measuring, engraving, and more. Diode lasers are also frequently used to pump and excite electrons in other types of lasers.

Medical and Dental Applications

The use of diode lasers in the medical industry are expanding rapidly as researchers discover more and more applications. They are specially suited for minor procedures that require small, precise incisions and cauterizations that would be difficult to accomplish with traditional surgical tools. Because they are so precise, diode lasers are perfect for finicky eye and dental procedures. They can also be used to light activate drugs in photo-dynamic therapy (like certain cancer treatments).

Solid State

The world’s very first laser was, in fact, a solid state laser. Today’s solid state lasers have evolved far past the ruby crystal used by Theodore Maiman and they now include fiber, slab, microchip and disc lasers. The most well-known solid state lasers are: ruby lasers, titanium-sapphire lasers, and YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) doped with rare earth elements (like neodymium, erbium, holmium, and thulium).

Consumer Electronics Applications

Smart phone and tablet manufacturers use solid state lasers to micro-drilling invisible speaker and microphone holes in their technology casing. They are also used as internal proximity sensors and OLED display screens in a wide range of consumer products.

Laboratory Research Applications

Solid state lasers are ideally suited for MPM (multiphoton microscopy). MPM uses lasers to image map biological tissues all the way down to the molecular level. This allows researchers to get a deeper understanding of biological processes non-invasively.

Medical and Dental Applications

The application of solid state lasers in the medical industry is expanding constantly. Currently they are used for removing unwanted hair, lesions, wrinkles and skin discoloration. They are also perfect for coagulating blood vessels, attacking cancer cells and for glaucoma procedures.

Defense Applications

The Department of Defense uses solid state lasers to illuminate targets, destroy mines, and for range finding capabilities on weapons systems.

Dye

Most dye lasers use an organic dye in a liquid solution as the laser medium. There are however some solid state lasers that are also doped with organic dyes. The dye within these lasers is soluble and typically fluorescent. They are highly tunable and can operate within a wide range of wavelengths. Most dye laser applications occur within the confines of laboratory research and are then used in various scientific fields.

Consumer Electronics Applications

Dye lasers are very efficient at optical pulsing. Optical pulsing is used in micro-machining and creating micro-structures and textures in a variety of materials.

Laboratory Research Applications

Research scientists use dye lasers to detect pollutants in liquids and to separate isotopes (like uranium) at the molecular level. They are also used for spectroscopy to study the interaction between electromagnetic radiation and matter. Dye lasers are also helpful for measuring FLT (fluorescence lifetimes) in biological cell research.

Astronomy Applications

Because dye lasers are highly tunable, they are perfect for measuring distances large and small. Astronomers use dye lasers for lunar laser ranging to measure the varying distances between the moon and the earth.

Medical and Dental Applications

There are many dermatology applications for dye lasers. They can efficiently remove tattoos, scars, and skin discoloration. Dye lasers can also treat kidney stones and blood vessel disorders. The above mentioned optical pulsing has also been used to stimulate bone formation.

Gas

Gas lasers generate a beam by discharging an electric current through a gas medium. The first gas laser (a Helium-Neon laser) was demonstrated in the very same year as Maiman’s ruby laser. Today a wide range of other gasses are used as laser media such as nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen fluoride, metal vapors, and more.

Laboratory Research Applications

In research laboratories, gas lasers can perform spectroscopy experiments, detect pollution, monitor environmental conditions, and aim and focus telescopes.

Industrial Applications

Many industries use gas lasers for cutting, welding, drilling, and laser printing.

Medical and Dental Applications

Gas lasers are perfect for medical sealing procedures that seal off blood vessels, lymph nodes, and nerve endings. They can also destroy harmful tissue like lesions, polyps, and tumors.

Entertainment Applications

Whenever you have watched a laser light show or seen a laser hologram, you are watching gas lasers at work.

Defense Applications

The Department of Defense uses gas lasers for SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative) laser weapons systems.

Wavelength vs. Power Output

Laser light is produced when electrons become stimulated, “leap” to a higher energy level, then leap back to their original energy level. When this happens, a photon of light is created. This photon can then stimulate more and more photons in a change reaction of light.

North Slope Chillers graphic on how a laser works

These photons of light make a characteristic pattern as they travel, known as their wavelength. Photons traveling in short wavelengths emit more energy, and photons traveling in longer wavelengths emit less energy. The electromagnetic spectrum shows the wavelength range in which lasers operate.

North Slope Chiller graphic on the electromagnetic spectrum

Within this spectrum, lasers can operate on a wide array of wavelengths and energy levels depending upon the type of laser and how they are being used. Some lasers are even tunable and can be adjusted for necessary wavelength needs.

North Slope Chillers graphic on the wavelengths of common lasers

What Affects Power Output?

The potential power output of a laser depends upon many conditions. The laser medium, the internal configuration of the laser equipment, and the pump current all affect how much power a laser produces. Lasers can emit anywhere from miliwatts to petawatts of power depending upon these factors.

Importance of Laser Cooling

Not all of the power generated by a laser becomes light. Every piece of laser equipment generates a significant amount of what is called waste heat.

Waste Heat

The percentage of waste heat generated varies depending upon the laser. For example if your laser equipment is using 100 watts of power and emitting 45 watts of light, it is generating 55 watts of waste heat. If left unchecked, waste heat can adversely affect your beam quality and accuracy, damage your equipment, and become unsafe to use. Most laser manufacturers will provide information on the percentage of waste heat produced by their equipment.

Keeping your laser equipment cool through process cooling is an extremely effective way to remove waste heat. Some laser equipment include a fan to use forced air to remove waste heat. Higher powered lasers can be protected with the use of an industrial laser chiller.

North Slope Chillers Laser Cooling Solutions

Here at North Slope Chillers, we specialize in portable and efficient laser cooling chillers. Our chillers are easily installed without disrupting your current system and apply effective and even chilling to your laser equipment. We can protect your valuable equipment, keep operations running, and optimize your laser’s performance. Contact us today to find the perfect laser cooling solution for your needs at 866-826-2993 or [email protected]

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Chiller and Cooling Terminology

Launa Albrecht · Mar 10, 2020 ·

Knowing What You Need Means Understanding All of the Terms

At North Slope Chillers, we want you to feel as informed and prepared as possible. Choosing a cooling system can seem like a daunting process. We are here to make sure you have all the knowledge you need to make an informed decision.

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Get Ready for the Chiller Vocabulary Quiz

Below are the terms that we use to explain and define all of the aspects of cooing and chillers.

AIR COOLED CHILLERS: A class of vapor compression chillers that use forced air to remove unwanted heat from a system.

AMBIENT TEMPERATURE: The surrounding temperature of a system

BRAZED PLATE HEAT EXCHANGER: 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.

BRITISH THERMAL UNIT (BTU): The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water by 1°F at sea level. BTUS are used wherever standard measurements (pounds, inches, farenheit) are used.

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

CHILLER: A mechanical device used to remove heat from a fluid

COMPRESSOR: A device that compresses the refrigerant and increases its pressure

CONDENSER: A device that removes heat and condenses refrigerant from a gas into a liquid

CONDENSER FAN: A fan in an air cooled chiller that forces air over the coils of the condenser and removes unwanted heat from the refrigerant

COOLING CAPACITY: The measured ability of a cooling system to remove heat

COOLING TOWER: A device in a water cooled chiller that uses a stream of water to extract unwanted heat from a system

COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE (COP): A measurement of how efficiently your system is removing heat. Higher COP measurements = lower operating costs

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

EVAPORATOR: A device in which the refrigerant changes from a liquid into a gas as it absorbs heat

FILL PORT: An opening in a chiller where fluid is added directly into the reservoir

FILTER: A device that removes particulates from the air

FLOW RATE: the amount of fluid moving through a system; usually measured in gallons or liters per minute. A chiller would have 2 different flow rates, 1 for the refrigeration circuit, 1 for the fluid circuit.

FLUID CIRCUIT: The circuit that moves process fluid through the chiller

FLUID LEVEL INDICATOR: A gauge that helps prevent internal damage to the chiller by measuring how much fluid is in the reservoir

FLUXWRAP^TM: A proprietary, multi-channel, fluid wrap that circulates process fluid around an object; can be used to transfer heat to or from an object as needed.

GLYCOL: Propylene and ethylene glycol are chemical antifreezes. Glycol is added to water to decrease its freezing point, prevent bacterial growth, and reduce corrosion.

HEAT EXCHANGER: A device that transfers heat between the process fluid and the refrigerant.

PRESSURE GAUGE: the pressure gauge is tied into the fluid outlet of the chiller. During operation it will tell you what the pressure is exiting the chiller

PROCESS COOLING: using a chiller or refrigeration unit to remove heat from a process

PROCESS FLUID: a mixture of water a glycol that flows through the fluid circuit of a chiller

PROCESS FLUID RESERVOIR: a container that holds the process fluid inside a chiller

PUMP: A device that moves the process fluid through the chiller

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR: A type of compressor that uses pistons and chambers that increases the pressure of the refrigerant

REFRIGERATION CIRCUIT: The system that moves refrigerant around the chiller

REFRIGERANT: A compound of chemicals that transfer heat from one area to another within the refrigeration cycle; specifically designed to evaporate and condense at set temperatures and pressures

SET POINT: this is the desired temperature of the fluid exiting the chiller

SCREW COMPRESSOR: A type of compressor that uses interlocking helical rotors to compress the refrigerant

SCROLL COMPRESSOR: A type of compressor that uses 2 spiral plates (1 rotating, 1 fixed) to compress the refrigerant

SUBMERGED COPPER COIL: A type of heat exchanger where fluid is pumped through a copper coil that is dropped directly into the fluid being cooled

SUCTION ACCUMULATOR: A device that absorbs moisture to prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor (which is only designed to handle gas)

TEMPERATURE CONTROLLER: A device that actively monitors fluid temperature and will turn on and off the refrigeration circuit as needed to maintain the desired fluid temperature

TEMPERATURE DIFFERENTIAL: The difference between the current temperature of your water and the needed temperature of your water

THERMAL EXPANSION VALVE (TXV): A device that measures the superheated temperature of the refrigerant and controls how quickly it is allowed to flow into the evaporator.

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: 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.

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Guide to Ultra Low Temperature Chillers

Brooke Loeffler · Mar 4, 2020 ·

Reaching New Lows

Ultra low temperature process chilling is a highly specialized branch of refrigeration that has a myriad of industrial uses. From aerospace to food service, many industries benefit from pushing the chilling envelope lower and lower. Let’s explore the world of ultra low temperature process cooling.

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Ultra Low Temperature Chilling FAQs

What is considered an ultra low temperature?

The ultra low temperature range typically starts at a high of around -40°F (-40°C) and continues to descend from there. Ultra low temperature freezers and chillers can reach a wide variety of low temperatures, depending on the needs of the application.

What are cryogenics?

Cryogenics is the study of ultra low temperatures, how they are created, and how they affect matter. The Encyclopedia Britannica classifies cryogenic temperatures as ranging from -238°F all the way down to -460°F or absolute zero. Absolute zero is the theoretical point where molecular motion is as close as it can get to stopping completely.

What industries use ultra low temperature chillers?

The uses of industrial low temp chillers are expanding every year. Currently the industries that use ultra low temperatures include: aerospace, medical, pharmaceutical, automotive, defense, plastic manufacturing, chemical, plant oil extraction, food production, and more.

What applications require ultra low temperatures?

Ultra low temperatures are used to: safely store and transport fragile lab samples, temper metals and other materials for extra strength and durability, test materials for use in extreme temperatures/high altitudes/outer space, cool sensitive medical equipment, create superconductors, safely store and transport hazardous chemicals, super chill gasses for plant oil extraction, flash freeze food, and more.

How do ultra low temperature chillers differ from regular chillers?

Regular chillers typically use 1 stage of refrigeration, whereas ultra low temperature chillers can use multiple refrigeration stages. These refrigeration stages can even use different fluids for each stage to reach lower temperature ranges. Ultra low temperature chillers also need more efficient, stronger, and more durable interior components to be able to keep up with the temperature demands. Internal parts (compressor, valves, tubing, pump, etc.) usually need to be upgraded to more robust models for ultra low temperature chilling.

What are the different fluids used in ultra low temperature chillers?

Single stage chillers that operate above freezing temperatures (32°F or 0°C) can use water or deionized water. To increase that cooling range, some single stage or dual stage chillers use a water glycol mix that can achieve even lower temperatures. Below -4° F (-20° C) dual and triple stage chillers can use a variety of heat transfer fluids containing silicone oils, inert fluorinated fluids, hydrofluoroethers, or alkylated aromatic fluids.

What is a recirculating chiller?

Recirculating chillers are closed loop and constantly reuse the refrigerant and process fluids. Heat is either dissipated from the system by forced air or a water cooling tower.

What is a liquid nitrogen chiller?

Liquid nitrogen chillers use containers of supercooled nitrogen that have been chilled enough to change from a gas to a liquid. As opposed to a recirculating chiller (that only expels heat and air), liquid nitrogen chillers expel heat and ventilate gasses. Because the liquid nitrogen is being ventilated, it will need to be replenished, which can make them more expensive to operate than ultra low temperature recirculating chillers.

What is pull down time?

Pull down time is the amount of time it takes for a chiller to descend from the ambient room temperature to the required chilling temperature. Pull down time is affected by the type and amount of insulation, the type of heat transfer fluid used, as well as the efficiency of the compressor.

What should I look for when buying an ultra low temperature chiller?

An industrial ultra low temperature chiller is only as strong as its weakest link. Let’s expand upon this question more thoroughly…

Selecting an Ultra Low Temperature Chiller: What Do You Need To Know?

There are certain questions you need to ask yourself as you start looking for an ultra low temperature solution.

North Slope Chillers graphic on what you need to know when selecting an ultra low temperature chiller

Cooling Application

The very first step is to make sure you thoroughly understand what process or materials you need chilled. This will determine a lot of the specifications you will look for in an ultra low temperature chiller.

Cooling Capacity and Temperature Range

Ask yourself how low you need to go? Be sure to have a really clear idea of how cold you need your chiller to be. It is typically a good idea to purchase a chiller with a slightly wider temperature range than you think you will need.

Pull Down Time

How quickly do you need your chiller to move from ambient room temperature to your desired temperature targets? Some materials are more forgiving than others as they chill, others need ultra cold and they need it fast. Know your chilling timeline so you can be sure the chiller you select will get cold as quickly as you need it to.

Internal Components

Becoming acquainted with the basic interior components of a chiller will help you foresee and avoid future problems. For example: How loud will the compressor be? Is the fluid reservoir made of a corrosive resistant material? Are the interior components rated to work the heat transfer fluid I need? Acquiring a baseline knowledge of a chiller’s inner workings will increase your success in selecting the right ultra low temperature chiller.

Chiller Footprint and Dimensions

Industrial ultra low temperature chillers come in all shapes and sizes. Take a thorough look at your layout and where you need a chiller to operate. Look beyond just the size and fit and make sure your chiller’s vents will be unobstructed so it can operate as efficiently as possible.

Duty Cycle

How long do you need your chiller to operate? Does your application need ultra low temperature chilling 24/7? Or does it need to kick in only occasionally to prevent machinery from overheating? Knowing the answer to these questions will help you pick a chiller that is robust enough for your needs.

Power Usage

For safety and financial reasons, it is extremely helpful to know how much power your chiller will use. This will help you avoid overloading whatever circuit you plug it into. Contact your power company and find out how many cents you will be charged per kilowatt hour in your area. That way you can avoid surprises on your bill after you start using your chiller.

Indoor or Outdoor Rated

Not all ultra low temperature chillers are rated for both outdoor and indoor use. Make sure you know exactly where your chiller will be operating so you can make sure you purchase one that matches its environment.

Heat Transfer Fluid(s) Type

There are a wide variety of heat transfer fluids that can be used to reach ultra low temperatures. Some chillers can have multiple refrigeration stages and use a different fluid or oil in each stage. Do your research on what fluids will help your chiller reach your desired temperature ranges.

Temperature Controls

Thermostatic controls have come a long way in a short period of time. How much control do you want over your chiller? Some ultra low temperature chillers will come with basic controls that require someone to physically input information. Others may come with smart control options that allow you to remotely take control over your temperatures no matter where you are. Would you like to tap into the internet of things and have access to process cooling data analytics? Be sure to look at all of your options and find the solution that will not only fit your budget but will give you the most autonomy and peace of mind.

North Slope Chillers Ultra Low Temperature Solutions

Here at North Slope Chillers, we know 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 ultra low temperature solution you need?

By working with our world class team of engineers you can make sure you find an ultra low temperature chiller that is designed for your exact cooling requirements.

North Slope Chillers graphic on ultra low temperature process cooling

Contact us today to find the perfect ultra low temperature cooling solution for your needs at (866) 826-2993 or [email protected]