FAQ
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
| What's an
ice builder? A latent heat storage unit, used where the refrigeration load is of short duration ( usually less than 8 hours) or where the load varies substantially and load leveling is desired. It supplies cold water at near freezing temperature, for cooling applications. |
| What part
of the system does Continental Equipment provide? We design and manufacture the "evaporator". This consists of cooling coils, an insulated/enclosed water storage tank and a tank agitation system. The condensing unit (compressor and condenser), water circulating pump, secondary heat exchanger and interconnecting piping are supplied by your local refrigeration contractor or systems supplier. |
| How is the
cold water used? The cold water is used in a secondary heat exchanger to cool a product or a fluid. For example, milk is cooled after the pasteurization process. The hot milk passes through one side of a plate and frame heat exchanger while the cooling water from the latent heat storage unit passes through the other side. |
What are
some common applications? Cooling milk after the pasteurization. Cooling
of food products in sealed plastic bags in a tumble chiller unit. Cooling air in fan coil units for air
conditioning. |
| What is the
advantage of using the latent heat storage unit over an instantaneous chiller? Large refrigeration loads can be handled
for short periods of time by a small condensing unit. For example, a 90 ton load can be
handled by a 30 ton condensing unit if the load is 8 hours per day or less. The condensing unit runs 24 hours per day instead of 8 hours per
day. Cooling loads can be shifted to off peak
hours to take advantage of lower electric rates. No freeze up problems. Chillers, without
proper protection, will freeze up when cooling water chills to near 32o F.
Ice builders can supply water at near freezing temperatures without freezing up. |
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