Process refrigeration
systems present unique challenges that are
generally unfamiliar to comfort cooling
professionals. Experienced chiller mechanics
dealing with chilled water routinely confront
the nightmare associated with ruptured
evaporator tubes and the resultant flood of
water that enters the refrigerant-side of the
system. (see
Flooded Chillers) Where the offending
substance entering the refrigerant-side is a
chemical and not water, however, this
challenge may prove somewhat daunting. The
effect of this type of failure is the entry
and circulation of possibly corrosive chemicals
throughout the refrigerant side of the process
refrigeration system.
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Envision any of the
following scenarios: |
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Nitric acid enters the refrigerant-side of a
large process chiller contaminating the system
and 60,000 pounds of R-134a |
|
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Process chillers containing 90,000 and
120,000 pound charges of R-134a rupture a tube
causing the entry of a large quantity of
highly flammable ethyl acetate into the
refrigerant |
|
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A high concentration of hydrochloric acid is
detected in a 20,000 pound charge of an R-22
process refrigeration system |
|
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A 16,000 pound
R-134a system condensing
chlorine gas at -50º suddenly ruptures a tube
spewing chlorine into the refrigerant-side of
the system |
|
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A process chiller containing 10,000 pounds
of R-134a ruptures a tube allowing the entry
of a 40% solution of ethylene glycol into the
system |
These scenarios are merely an illustration of
the many chemical contamination challenges
routinely solved by Hudson. In each instance,
an effective and efficient solution was
developed and implemented with minimal
downtime, maximum conservation of refrigerant
and a fully decontaminated system. Indeed, in
many cases, Hudson's solution, utilizing
its' patented processes and technology,
enabled online contaminant reduction until a
shutdown could be tolerated, repairs
undertaken and a full system decontamination
completed.
Hudson is a chemistry and engineering based
solutions provider. What distinguishes Hudson
is its unique ability to both formulate and
execute customized solutions for mission
critical systems regardless of the size, type
or extent of the particular chemical
contamination.
