Challenge
An automotive industry client faced a specific engineering challenge: the need for precisely controlled low-temperature test cell chambers for internal gear testing. The client requested a mechanical engineered package for four test cell chambers with demanding performance criteria. Specifically, each chamber needed to achieve a temperature range of –40F to 120F within a four-hour window. Furthermore, the internal gear had to be held at a specific temperature setpoint for a 24-hour soak period, with the flexibility of programming the temperature in 5F intervals across the entire -40F to 120F range.
Solution:
To address this challenge, the Climate Technologies team used an engineering and project management approach, resulting in provisioning a comprehensive equipment package. The solution involved integrating several specialized industrial components, including refrigeration, air handling, and dehumidification systems.
Here are the key components of the solution:
M&M Refrigeration – Industrial Condenser: This unit played a crucial role in the temperature control system. Key features included:
- A variable temperature evaporating capability ranging from -50F to 30F.
- A Howden industrial screw compressor condensing unit with a capacity of 18TR at -50F.
- An evaporative condenser was used for condensing R507 at 88F.
In addition to the industrial condenser, the Climate Technologies team specified a Munters Low Temperature Air Handling Unit. This unit was responsible for delivering the conditioned air to the test chambers with a 3000-cfm capacity, capable of providing a supply air temperature of -50F. Key features included:
- Filtration
- An R507 DX (Direct Expansion) cooling coil for low-temperature cooling.
- An electric heating coil (70kW) with an associated SCR (Silicon Controlled Rectifier) to maintain the chamber at 120F.
- A special low-temp direct-driven plenum fan assembly with VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) for efficient air circulation.
- A cabinet construction designed for low-temperature applications to minimize thermal losses.
The third equipment component was a Munters Desiccant Dehumidification Unit: This unit managed the humidity of the make-up air supplied to the air handling unit. It had a capacity of 1200 cfm at 75F with a moisture removal rate of 0.3 gr/lb for the make-up air.
Its key features included:
- Filtration.
- A Munters HoneyCombe dehumidifier featuring a proprietary Tigel wheel and drive mechanism for efficient dehumidification.
- Munters’ proprietary Green Power Purge design aimed at energy savings.
- A direct-driven plenum fan assembly with VFD.
- A DX pre-coil assembly with condenser.
- A DX pre-coil assembly with condenser.
By integrating these specialized components, the engineered package successfully provided the automotive industry client with the necessary low-temperature test cell chambers capable of meeting their stringent temperature control and operational requirements.
This is one example of the complex challenges Climate Technologies solves for our clients, drawing on our unusually deep technical knowledge and engineering know-how. Our solutions meet the most demanding technical requirements while meeting national and local compliance requirements.
