Chilled Water

[0l3675]

I need to cool down city water from 90F to 65F. I have glycol available at the plant.

Any idea on how to size the plate exchanger?

Thanks for your help.

 

[TD2K]

I'd recommend letting the vendor do it since you want them to be responsible for the performance of their unit if it doesn't later work.

Provide the vendor with the flow rate and temperature of the stream you want to chill down and the properties of the utility stream that will absorb the heat. If you have a pressure drop criteria, include that also.

They'll also need the design pressure and temperature on both sides and materials of constuction if you don't want to take the standard materials (the pressure resistant frame is typically carbon steel, the plates are stainless steel with options available though standard materials would see to be fine for your service).

 

[Montemayor]

0l3675:

How is it that you have already selected a plate heat exchanger among other types? Obviously some engineering work has already been done, albeit preliminary. The choice is a good one; however, the selected exchanger is subject to proprietary design and is not an open science as is the design of shell & tube units.

TD2K's recommendation is right on target. That is the way these specific applications are carried out in the real world. Unless you've a resume full of successful plate exchanger designs and applications, you have no business trying to upstage the experts. Anyone outside of a proven and experienced manufacturer trying to design and fabricate a plate exchanger is either on an expensive and risky ego trip or is trying to work an academic homework assignment. I presume your application is neither of these exercises and that you will closely follow TD2K's advisement.

 

[HVAC68]

Just being curious - Why do you need glycol for cooling to 65 deg F ?

HVAC68

 

[Montemayor]

HVAC68:

0l3675 didn't state that he needed glycol; he stated that he had it "available at the plant".

 

[HVAC68]

I noted that - but, he must have said that with a reason. Why would he state that glycol is available. As I said earlier, am just curious to find out the reason, that's all.

HVAC68

 

[0l3675]

Thank you for all of your insight. Glycol supply and return headers are located near the chilled water user. That was the only reason why I thought I could use glycol. THe 65F is the maximum temp our process needs, 45-50 is preferable.