Why does the chiller need insulation?

Chiller insulation refers to wrapping key components of a chiller with thermal materials to prevent heat transfer. Process chillers are used to provide low-temperature cold sources for equipment and processes, and the temperature of the refrigerant and coolant is often lower than the ambient temperature. If it is not insulated, the air will transfer heat to the cooling system, causing cold loss and increased energy consumption. Moreover, when the low-temperature components encounter hot air, there will be condensation water on the surface, or even frost, which is easy to corrode the components or cause a short circuit.
 
The chiller parts that need insulation are as follows:
 
• Liquid storage tank, cooling coil
• Evaporator, condenser shell
• Refrigerant pipeline, liquid pipe, return air pipe
• Circulating pump, valve, connector
• Refrigerant storage tank and matching water tank

Common chiller insulation materials

The following materials are commonly used for chiller insulation.

NBR/PVC Foam

NBR/PVC foam is a very common insulation material, which is made of nitrile rubber (NBR) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composite foam. The foaming of rubber and plastic materials is independent closed bubbles, which can prevent air convection and water vapor penetration. So it can both keep warm and prevent condensation. Below ℃, its thermal conductivity is very low, about 0.035~0.038 W/m·K, which is better than the thermal insulation performance of most materials.
 
Moreover, it is very soft and flexible, which is convenient for cutting and wrapping. From the perspective of flame retardancy, high-quality rubber and plastic materials are self-extinguishing, will not drip when burning, and will not produce a lot of smoke. The performance decreases significantly below -40℃ or above +100℃.

PU Foam

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PU foam (polyurethane foam) is a thermal insulation material produced by the reaction of isocyanate and polyol catalysts. Its thermal insulation is very outstanding among many thermal insulation materials. However, it has strong water absorption and needs to be used with aluminum plates or PVC shells to make a composite thermal insulation layer. It is not resistant to high temperatures and is a flammable material, so flame retardants need to be added when used.

Schlussfolgerung

Good insulation materials can help your chiller reduce energy consumption. When purchasing a chiller, don’t forget to ask the manufacturer about the type of insulation material. All LNEYA equipment uses high-performance insulation materials. The raw materials and formulas we use have been repeatedly tested to prevent problems such as dimensional changes and cracking at low temperatures.
 
Tell us your cooling needs and you will receive our cooling plan and detailed quotation within 24 hours.

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