InRow RD Fluid Cooled

[BillP]

Hi

I'm having a big time problems identifying all the components needed for Glykol based RD cooling.

Is there somewhere a detailed description of all components needed for RD InRow cooling (beside the RD unit and the outside Fluid Cooler)? I have been in touch with many cooling companies, but they are more interested in selling their own systems and they also claims they do not know the spesification for the items needed (and I understand that from what I can find of documents).

I'm very interested in only using RD cooling with Glycol and I hope someone could assist me. I have been in contact with APC in my own country, but they do not seem to know the details. There must be some more techincal details somewhere? If not, I have to go with my original though with simple aircondition.

I have seen the drawing in the InRow RD manual with different elements (glycol tank, pump etc), but they all seems small and no details on them. While the price on the outside unit (Fluid Cooler) and the InRow unit is manageable, I have recieved a price that is at least 6 to 8 times the costs of both these two compontents for the rest that is needed + work. So, I assume the pump, tank etc. on the inside is way more expensive than the rest?

Message was edited by: bareare

[BillP · Accepted solution]

after doing a little research, we were able to come up with the following with a cooling expert at APC.

APC does not supply the pump(s) or expansion tank as standard equipment.*
The reason - these components are application specific. They have to be sized based on the entire glycol loop properties/specifications.*

For the pumps, one needs to make a decision as to the level of complexity and redundancy needed. The pump package can be as complex as a dual package with one pump in stand-by and one running, rotating them every few days, with alarms being send to a building management system, etc.*
Or, it can be as simple as a single pump, running at constant flow, all the time.*

When sizing the pumps, the flow has to be taken in consideration as well as the pressure drop.*
For the RD unit the flow required is 0.64 l/s.*
The pressure drop (or head) the pump has to be sized at, is the sum of all the pressure loss due to friction of the glycol circulating thru the loop. We publish the pressure drop in our equipment (RD and fluid cooler) in the technical manual. The pressure drop in the piping loop is a function of the length of the piping, the diameter, the material (steel, copper, etc), and all the other fittings, valves, elbows, etc.*

I don't want to make this seem more complicated than it is. This pressure drop information for different pipe sizes is available on the web or in engineering manuals.*

I think the best way is to have the same mechanical contractor or installation firm that install the piping, provide a pump package for this application. They should be able to calculate the size of the pumps based on the loop characteristics.*

I don't think the pump(s) should be more expensive than the fluid cooler or the RD unit.*

The same thing for the expansion tank. It is a very inexpensive piece of equipment. It is a small tank with a internal membrane that allow the fluid to expand and contract due to changes in temperature.*
The size of the expansion tank is determined based on the amount of glycol in the system.*
Again, any installing firm should be able to provide this tank without any problems.*