Refer Rack Conversion

[socal]

I'm currently working on a refer rack for a large hotel that wants to convert from air cooled to multiple (20 compressors R-409 and a few R-22)water cooled tube in tube condensers. Do I need vibration flex connections from comp. to cond.? Also this was previously a air cooled compressor rack with some tube in shell units that were still tied into the condenser loop of the buildings chillers. My forte is not refer. systems and I was wondering about the setup. The cond. wtr.is regulated by a valve operating off of head pressure (?) and the cond. wtr.tubing wraps around the motor just like you would use the suction line to cool the motor. Is this kosher or should the water pass through the condensor and then wrap around the motor on the way back to the loop.

[socal]

Nobody gonna bite? I need an experts opinion.

[Dowadudda]

I seen a conversion where they did flat plates. I was amazed at the smallness in size, and the plumbing to it wasn't didily squat. Tube and shell, or the other, I just don't like em. Those flat plates have an excellent heat exchange rate, small footprint, you can hang em on the wall.

Why are you canning the air cooled?

[R12rules]

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[socal]

Flat Plates responses, profiles questions. Thats not the response I expected. Is there anybody out there with a response to my questions as they were queried ?

[Dowadudda]

If you are not familiar with flat plate heat exchangers used for water cooled condensing, then maybe it's not a good idea for you. But I would encourage you to start doing some internet searching, and maybe speak to your local refrigeration wholesaler about them.

If you know your load. Then All you got to do is, pick out the ones you need, get water flow to them at the right capacity and your in business. I was just in the same store yesterday where they took a 200 HP rack and changed it over to flat plates, the one I was describing earlier. I can take some picks for you.

Flat Plate Heat exchangers. They occupy a small foot print, can use water as the rejecting medium. I don't know what else to tell you. Other than you got to go get the information. I have no way to engineer it for you from here.

The only reason I suggest these over Tube and Shell or Shell and tub is cause, I am assuming with the rack size you got, your gonna need to keep in mind size of this new condenser.

If you could be as specific as you can, I will try to help you. If you don't mind me saying, if refrigeration is not your Forte, taking on a project like this is a little too big of a bull ride on your first rodeo. Not trying to sound like an a hole, just trying to caution you.

[frozensolid]

I think tube and shell condensers are more reliable and tend to leak less than the plate types. Just keep your water treated either way, or you will never be happy.