COMPRESSORS

COOLING WATER REQUIREMENT

 Compressor Water Cooling System Requirement

 The compressor inlet water temperature should include between 10 °C /and 35

°C . Never equal or lower at 0°C / 32°F (major risk of blocking refrigerant and
the safety valve).
 During operation the water pressure measured after the water pump should beair
Compressor
include between 3 and 5.5 bar. flow direction.

Inlet.

Outlet.
The compressor inlet water
temperature should be between 10
°C /and 35 °C
 Radiator cooling systems.

For maximum ambient

temperatures up to 32°C,
 COOLING WATER REQUIREMENTS

The cleanliness and the temperature of cooling

water are essential to ensure a reliable
operation of the compressor. AF recommends
using a closed cooling system, which avoids a
fast scaling of the air coolers. However, another
type of cooling can be used.

The compressor water inlet temperature should be

between 10°C and 30°C.
Recommended pressure: 3 bar - max: 4,5 bar.
The water quality shall comply with the following
requirements:
- pH: 7 to 9.
- hardness in CaCo3: 30 to 500.
- alkaline standard in CaCo3: 500 ppm max.
- dissolved solids: 1000 mg/l max.
- chlorides: 125 ppm max.
- sulphates: 125 ppm max.
 Which type of cooling system choose?

Open evaporative cooling tower

Radiator

Usually, the objective is to produce the maximum cooling

for the minimum cost.
Cost comes in three forms:
Close evaporative cooling tower 1. Power using costs (Every day).
2. Operating and maintenance costs (Every week or
month).
3. Initial investment cost ( one or ‘two’ times).
Sometimes, a higher initial cost will produce lower power
and maintenance costs.
In Asia the high temperatures in summer justify:

Evaporative cooling tower

 What is a cooling tower – open - close?
A cooling tower is a heat rejection device, which
extracts waste heat to the atmosphere though the
cooling of a water stream to a lower temperature. Close evaporative cooling tower
The type of heat rejection in a cooling tower is
termed "evaporative" in that it allows a small
portion of the water being cooled to evaporate
into a moving air stream to provide significant
cooling to the rest of that water stream.

Open evaporative cooling tower

The generic term "cooling tower" is used to

describe both direct (open circuit) and indirect
(closed circuit) heat rejection equipment.
 Open cooling tower principle of operation.
Inlet air ≥ 200 °C
Open evaporative cooling tower

Hot discharge air

Hot water in ‘from

the compressor’

Entering fresh air Entering fresh air

Cold water out

‘going to the
compresssor’

Outlet air ≤ 60 °C
 What is the differences ?
A direct or an Open Evaporative Cooling
Tower cools process water by exposing it to
outside air as it cascades through an open, baffled
enclosure. The cooled water then drains from the
bottom of the tower and returns to a pumping
system to be re-circulated through the air cooler!

An indirect or a Close Evaporating Cooling

Tower is therefore very similar to the open
cooling tower with one exception. The process
fluid being cooled is contained in a "closed" circuit
and is not directly exposed to the atmosphere or
the re-circulated external water.

Because evaporation consists of pure water, the concentration of

dissolved minerals and other solids in circulating water will tend to
increase. In addition all the impurity moving on the air (dust, pollution,
parts of vegetal,) will amplify dirtiness of the water inside the cooling
tower.
Inside the air cooler using open cooling tower ?
Inlet air ≥ 200 °C
Inlet air +/- 200°C

The water temperature in

contact with the air
cooling pipes bundle can
go up to 200 C° and it
boils. The dirtiness day
after day clings on the
pipes; this zone will be
very quickly scaled, after
the air cooler will be
completely clogging also.

Outlet air +/- 85°C

58°C
72°C
50°C Outlet air ≤ 60 °C
Inside the air cooler using close cooling tower ?
Inlet air ≥ 200 °C
Inlet air +/- 200°C

The water temperature in

contact with the air
cooling pipes bundle can
go up to 200 C° and it
boils. After 1 hour
operation all the dirtiness
will be fixed. After that the
water is clean.

Outlet air +/- 55°C

50°C Outlet air ≤ 60 °C
 What happen on the compressor ?

If the temperature is higher than 60 °C the

moisture is still on the air, the moisture and
high temperature will wear out the piston rings
very kick and also can damage the cylinder
liner.

If the air temperature is between 0 °C and 40

° C (Temperature smaller than the water
temperature inside the cylinder) the moisture
will removed but some condensation will
appear on the cylinder and will corrode the
cylinder and wear out quickly the piston rings.

Between 40 °C and 60 °C the efficiency of the

separator is perfect the maximum of the
moisture is removed and no condensation on
the cylinder.
What parts will be damaged ?

Air coolers

Valves
Dryer heat exchanger

Separators

Oil radiator and after connecting

rood bearing and crosshead
Cylinders bore
Piston rings

Sealing rings
Cylinders valves chamber

Cylinders water chamber

Some pictures & Web address
 Close cooling tower principle of operation.
Inlet air ≥ 200 °C
Close evaporative cooling tower

Hot discharge air

Entering fresh air

Hot water in ‘from
the compressor’

Cold water out

‘going to the
compresssor’

Outlet air ≤ 60 °C
1. Heavy Duty Construction

2. Water Distribution System

3. Drift eliminator

4. Centrifugal Fan

5. Fan Sheave

6. Fan Motor Sheave

7. Belt

8. Access Door

9. Spraypump

10. Coil
 The best choice.

 100 % managed by the AF electrical cabinet connected with the compressor .

 100 % compatible with AF compressor (all accessory including).
 100 % under the same warranty of the AF Compressor.
 100 % with the same maintenance schedule.
 Only 10 % of the maintenance cost an open evaporative cooling tower will create!!

Close evaporative cooling tower