CHILLERS
Preparing your chiller for summer
With rising temperatures on the horizon, ensuring your chiller is ready for summer is crucial to maintaining effi ciency and reliability. Dave Palmer, country leader at ICS Cool Energy UK, shares expert insights on preparations to optimise performance and prevent seasonal strain.
S
With secure, real-time information on the
operation and running conditions of your plant machinery, you can identify
energy and cost savings and system ineffi ciencies before they impact
production.
ummer can be an unreliable season, often bringing unexpected heat waves. Just as an overheated car engine can cause signifi cant issues, the loss of cooling
capability from industrial chillers and cooling towers during hot weather can lead to substantial problems for manufacturers. These can include excessive downtime, damaged chiller parts, and product wastage. To prevent unexpected failures in your process cooling equipment and minimise the production downtime, consider the following critical questions:
How old is your equipment? Industrial chillers typically have a lifespan of around 12 years, though this can vary based on operating conditions and maintenance practices. Implementing a planned preventative maintenance (PPM) programme is essential to keeping components clean and in good working order and preventing strain from temperature spikes.
With ongoing innovations and advancements in cooling and heating technologies, new equipment often comes with warranties of up to 10 years, providing greater peace of mind.
How are you protecting your system? Dosing your water system with glycol as an inhibitor is highly recommended. Beyond its antifreeze properties, glycol helps to maintain the condition of water fl owing through your valuable chiller and heater components and pipework, contributing to longevity and effi ciency.
How are you monitoring your equipment? Modern software developments allow for remote monitoring of chiller operations. You can instantly address issues such as temperatures exceeding desired control tolerances, helping to avoid costly production downtime and waste. With secure, real-time information on the operation and running conditions of your plant machinery, you can identify energy and cost savings and system ineffi ciencies before they impact production.
Are you checking water quality? An incorrect water and glycol mix in a chiller can have rapid and disastrous eff ects, leading to corrosion, rust build-up, system deterioration, and leaks. Additionally, scale build-up (particularly in hard water areas), algae, and debris can clog vital components, forcing them to work harder, particularly in extreme temperatures.
Conducting simple pH tests and water sampling is a good start to determine the condition of your system water. However, understanding the chemical makeup of what might look like water can be complicated.
Regular maintenance of your chiller is crucial for optimal performance and longevity. We have compiled seven practical steps to prepare for an annual or bi-annual maintenance visit. Important Note: These steps should only be undertaken while the chiller is stopped and electrically isolated. They should be performed by a competent person who has conducted a risk assessment and is fully aware of the potential
28 June 2025 •
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