Research labs have the most specific and demanding of all designs when it comes to chillers. Each test protocol and lab set up has variables that affect a researcher’s choice of chiller, and sometimes a new one must be rented for each new study. Here are a few factors that the people renting the chiller must discuss with the rental company.
Purpose Of Chiller
Preserving Samples Before Analysis
Deterioration is the bane of anyone wanting to investigate the properties of a thing, and many labs like to hold on to samples for as long as they can just in case they need them. Rapid cooling keeps samples stable in an optimum condition. For instance, bacteria can be preserved for short periods of time at 4 degrees Celsius without changing their nature. Frozen bacteria can stay viable for quite a while, allowing a researcher to spend a long time studying a type of bacteria far more cheaply than if they had to constantly acquire fresh sources.
Part Of Chemical Process
If you want time to study a process, it wise to make it visible to the human eye. It’s also sometimes a necessary part of the crystallization process when you are purifying a sample.
Chilling is also used in chemical extraction and separation. It’s a good way to turn chemicals that are in gas form into liquid form, and it is a part of the process for isolating some components. Chillers are used in rotary evaporators, electron microscopy, AAS, lasers, diffusion pumps, X-ray diffraction and anything else where heat needs to be spirited away from a chemical process.
Choice Of Chiller- Cooling Method And Type Of Compressor
Air Cooled
These are chillers that release heat by taking ambient air directly into the condenser coils and then expelling the heated air. These types are most appropriate for using outdoors as it will have access to fresh circulating air.
Water Cooled
Water cooled chillers send the heat out of the chiller to a separate condenser water loop, which then releases the heat to the outer atmosphere from cooling towers. These are generally meant to be used indoors.
Chillers With Reciprocating Compressor
Reciprocating chillers use a cylindrical compartment that contains an internal piston to compress hot refrigerant gas. This increases the pressure until an exhaust valve opens and let the gas into the cooling system. These types of compressors can handle loads between 30 and 150 tons.
Recirculating Chillers
These chillers have a closed loop for a cooling system that has water or other liquids pumping through it continuously. These tend to be smaller and are very popular in labs.
Chiller Specifications
Fluid Temperature and Flow Rate
Knowing how cold the fluid in the chiller will be going in and out of the compressor and how fast it flows through the systems will help you decide what on the size of the chiller that you will need to rent. It will also help you decide on the compressor because different compressors operate with a different range of temperatures.
Site Specifications
Ambient Air
Since many types of chillers need outside air to work, it is important to decide ahead of time where in the facility you are putting the chiller so that you can work out what the ambient air temperature will be around the chiller’s condenser coils. If you put it somewhere that is already hot, the outside air can’t cool the coils. You will want to consider temperature swings as well.
Electrical Load
Many rental chillers require 208 to 230 Volts of electricity. You will want to make sure that your chosen site can accommodate that electrical load.
Size
Some labs are quite small. With all the other equipment involved, you will need to know where your chiller will fit, both in height and in width. Some can be larger than 5 feet all around.
JC Younger is an ETL-listed and inspected manufacturer that will rent you the right chiller for your study. Their rentals are job specific and their experts are available every day of the week. If your study will likely require you to rent a chiller, contact us.
