Commerical heaters and chillers

[pyroracing85]

okay, I am looking to update my system. I am looking for some more controlable heaters and chillers?

The heaters I have now just heat until boiling. I would like a more programable heater.


Anybody lead me a direction?

[dmiom]

For the actual anodising tank, we have a "ReSun CW1500" which is a titanium-cored combined heater and chiller (pumped through with a Little Giant HC magdrive pump).

For the prep tanks (degrease, strip) we use pyrex-clad thermostatic heaters (aquarium type). The de-smut runs at ambient.

Dye tanks we use an external thermostatic controller switching Caswell standard type heaters. Sealing is with conventional boil heaters.

Dave

[pyroracing85]

thank you sir.

[pyroracing85]

Well I have a 40 gallon ano tank.

I figure I will need at least a 1/2hp chiller.

Am I correct?

[dmiom]

Heater/chillers here in Europe tended to be rated in Watts (not only for the motor, but also for refrigeration capacity, which can be less), rather than horsepower; and that makes it a little easier to look at the rating.

The way we looked it was: -

Firstly, from the anodising perspective. Take the electrical power you are putting in the tank, and assume it is all dissipated as heat - e.g. typical peak voltage using 6 ASF LCD is 15v, and say we are limiting that tank to a maximum of 40A - that would be 600 watts - so we need to be able to take at least 600 watts of heat out continuously i.e. 600 watts of refrigeration capacity.

Secondly, from the original manufacturer's specifications, they may give an indication of how quickly it can heat up or cool down a particular volume which can affect your time to start up the line. (In our location, the tank always needs heating, rather than chilling ! ).

What we did was take the above, and then, given it is thermostatically controlled, got a unit which has, we believe, about twice the capacity we need at the moment - I have a great preference for having equipment working at less than 100% as it pays back in reliability.

These things are influenced very much by ambient conditions (a) for the tank and plumbing, and (b) for the heater/chiller's external condenser etc. Here in the British Isles its very different to the balmy South Pacific or sunny Texas ... so suggest if you can give some indication of your location someone else on the board here may be able to contribute more appropriate experience on actual ratings required.

Dave

[pyroracing85]

Thanks.

I am going to focus on heating up the tanks first then worry about the chiller.