Recent content by russmech

Can someone tell me what the sight glass is actually used for in HVAC DX cooling refrigeration piping? Thanks.

Can anyone give me an effective but simple way to clean/flush schedule 40 steel steam piping and schedule 80 steam condensate piping used in a small process steam application (100 psi, 2" pipe and smaller). I've seen references to open steam blowing and fresh water rinses, or simply wasting...

I am involved in the planning of a new chiller plant where the Owner is interested in using waste heat (steam) to feed absorption type chillers in the summer. We are in the far north where our season is short (long periods of chiller downtime) and chillers are usually not required at night...

Thanks daly1. I did find charts for these towers from an old friend in the lower 48 who had a catalog sitting on a shelf in a back warehouse. Fortunately for me: 1) These towers will be paralleled and under utilized, so I should have plenty of capacity for the chiller they'll be serving. 2)...

The two cooling towers are in Anchorage, Alaska where the cooling season is somewhat short (I state the obvious) so wear and tear is "below normal" for a cooling season. Also, they were spec'd with a really good anti-corrosion coating that has done well to protect them. So, do you have any...

Three things: 1) Review your system pressure calc's. Ensure you take into consideration the vertical height of your system (in feet), convert to psi, then add 5 psi to ensure a minimum pressure at the highest point of the system. 2) Check to make sure no one has opened a bypass valve accross...

I didn't read all the answers to the threads, but I'm glad to see so much interest in saving energy. I also doubt very much if the water utility company will allow you to do ANYTHING with water except use it; many utilities require backflow prevention devices even on residential system to...

The most correct solution would be to add insulation between the heat panels and the basement such that the (unwanted) heat flow to the basement is reduced However, if that's not an acceptable answer, then it is more energy efficient to setback during the night than not setback. The energy...

Does anyone have access to an old Baltimaore Air Coil (BAC) selection guide (book) for a VS series cooling tower? I'm trying to recommission a 1974 vintage VST cooling tower and have been unable to track down performance data for it. The factory (so I've been told) scanned their old catalogs...

Thanks imok2, I'll review that info again. Maybe I should've just asked "Does anyone have any experience with the unloading characteristics of lithium bromide absorption chillers?"

Hello, I'm getting involved in the design of a chilled water plant (approximately 3000 tons)for HVAC cooling. Our location has a load profile with ALOT of cool temperatures 55F to 64F), so part load performance (of the total calcualated plant load) will be important. Because the chiller plant...

Does anyone know of a standard or reference that describes the maximum safe outside surface temperature of pipe insulation (for safety purposes)?

Thanks for the replies. What about ultrasonic meters? How would they rate against the electromagnetic meters? Which ones are more reliable (installations are very remote locations); maintenance or the lack of it is an important issue. And how do they rate for expense; I'm guessing turbine...

I want to measure the BTU transfer of a pumped glycol solution in the range of 170F to 180F with a delta T of approximately 20 degrees.

Can anyone give me a quick summary of their experience with BTU meters? Is a turbine flow meter better than electromagnetic or vice versa? Which is more reliable? Which is more accurate? My application will be heating loops only with propylene or ethylene glycol. Thanks.