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Musthafa
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 84
Good Answers: 4

Leakage on Chiller Condenser Coil

10/11/2014 1:51 AM

We have two nos air cooled chillers (250TR each) installed in a commercial bldg; the bldg is situated 800 mtr away from sea side. The chillers were installed and commissioned 3 years ago and are being maintained well including water servicing of th condenser panel every 3 months. Now some of the panels show oil spots and has noticed loss of refrigerant. The refrigerant has been refilled. Now we are in the process of replacing the panel.

Can our members point out the reason of failing of such condenser within 3 yrs?

Is there any method for rectifying the leakage ?
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Tornado
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Technical Fields - Technical Writing - New Member Engineering Fields - Piping Design Engineering - New Member

Join Date: May 2009
Location: Richland, WA, USA
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#1

Re: Leakage on Chiller Condenser Coil

10/11/2014 4:29 AM

If your condenser has aluminum fins on copper tubes, electrolysis may occur, even with the periodic fresh water rinsing. Even though more expensive, copper fins might be a better choice.

I am guessing that fresh water is in short supply, making an evaporative condenser impractical.

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Musthafa
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 84
Good Answers: 4
#2
In reply to #1

Re: Leakage on Chiller Condenser Coil

10/11/2014 5:37 AM

We have water make up system which keep the chilled water loop pressure at 6 bar always. Any decrease in the bare automatically activates pressurisation unit.

The first may be one of the reason.

Other point to inform you that, the panels are arranged in "V" type configuration, and the condenser fan is above the units, which sucks the air from bottom of the unit. During the water service, the water is directed to the fins in the same direction of the air flow. The other way is not possible because of the fans location above the panel.

Will this way of water service may cause this issue ?
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Fredski
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 7025
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#3

Re: Leakage on Chiller Condenser Coil

10/11/2014 7:28 AM

do this during maint, find leaks when they're smallhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgCLGXTlim0
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Fredski
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 7025
Good Answers: 207
#4
In reply to #3

Re: Leakage on Chiller Condenser Coil

10/11/2014 8:20 AM

http://www.achrnews.com/articles/spectronics-refrigeration-ac-leak-detection-dye
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mrswamy
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Oman
Posts: 612
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#5

Re: Leakage on Chiller Condenser Coil

10/13/2014 2:43 AM

You have mentioned that it is air cooled condenser and is very to sea. Within 3 years leak observed in the system in spite of regular maintenance. When you refurbish the system consider to include the heat exchangers with anticorrosive paints if it is difficult to go with copper fins. Check the fins spacing also.
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Musthafa
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 84
Good Answers: 4
#6
In reply to #5

Re: Leakage on Chiller Condenser Coil

10/13/2014 7:14 AM

It is noticed that the Coil is not copper. It is MCHX with Aluminium tube and Aluminium fins.
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James Stewart
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#7
In reply to #6

Re: Leakage on Chiller Condenser Coil

10/14/2014 4:34 PM

Salt air is probably corroding out the aluminun coils/fins. Because there is not a really good option for cathodic protection of aluminum other than perhaps magnesium, you could still try to attach magnesium anodes, but I am a bit cautious about painting any heat exchange surface as a cathodic protection. Perhaps if the unit is not taxed up to its cooling limits, this might be OK, but the paint should only be applied when the unit is new, and then only if the OEM agrees.

Maybe you should replace existing coils with better metallurgy more suited to the climate.

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