by
John R. Fischer, Senior Reporter | September 04, 2018
From the September 2018 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
When issues do occur, providers are encouraged to call their chiller servicer and see if a solution to the problem can be found over the phone before requesting that a repair person be dispatched to their MR suite.
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Refrigerants get more efficient and eco-friendly
The transition from CFC to HCFC refrigerants in chillers reflects the desire among manufacturers for greater energy efficiency. Yet, new, eco-friendly refrigerants are on the rise, providing the same level of efficiency along with added protections for the environment.
Chiller components such as pump seals and
contactors should be inspected at least twice a year.
Filtrine, for instance, has used HCFCs such as R404a and R134a for years due to their zero ozone depletion potential, but has recently begun switching over to refrigerants that possess lower global warming potential (GWP).
“Depending on the application, Filtrine chillers that used R404a will now use either R407c which has a 55 percent lower GWP or R448a which has a 67 percent lower GWP,” said Hansel. “Chillers that used R134a will now come with R513a which has a 55 percent lower GWP. There is little or no loss in efficiency with these changes, and in some cases, efficiency improves by as much as 10 percent.”
Another difference is the use of scroll compressors, which have created greater reliability at a reduced initial cost for the technology.
Changes are not only taking place within the chiller but in its outer design too, with larger units being produced to meet the higher demands of new MR scanners, such as greater cooling capacities and increased flow rates.
Although the primary function of a chiller, to help maintain proper MR temperatures, has not changed, remote detection technologies are changing the way providers interact with them. Filtrine’s Quick Connect Panel, for example, provides diagnostic information on the chiller and monitors its operation, effectively adding a new level of reliability and automation to chiller maintenance.
According to Trumblee and Hastings with GDTS, the use of newer refrigerants will ultimately have an impact on the construction of chillers themselves.
“As the regulations for refrigerants change, the design and manufacturing of the chillers will need to adapt to growing demand for more energy efficiency,” they said. “Some of the adaptations that have occurred with the change from CFCs to HCFCs and the advancements in chiller technology going forward will need to address the increasing demand for more regulations on refrigerants.”
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Sunmi Song
Complete Chiller Care is more than Maintenance and Redundancy
December 14, 2018 11:13
This article has some good insight but there is a better, more cost effective solution than PM's and redundant circuits.
Remote monitoring, when done correctly, is like having a technician monitoring your chiller 24/7. Potential issues are addressed before they shut you down.
An ideal scenario would be to have redundant systems, regular maintenance and remote monitoring.
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