Chillers Using A/c Outdoor Units

[perikaruppan]

Dear Friends,
I thought of this idea of modifying the existing use of A/c as chilling units.

There are external units of a Split Air conditioner available. Can use the same unit, take the two copper out's (used as the evaporator's for cooling) to the tank, and at the tank, weld them to titanium coils and insert the titanium coils in to the sump to act as the heat exchanging unit.

The reasons that i was looking at these options are that Chillers are not readily available here in India. and Titanium is kindda lesser priced out here about say 8$ a foot.

I was thinking of coiling about 6 meters of titanium to act as the chilling unit in the sump.

My tank is a 180 gal tank with SPS in it currently. Was looking at lowering the temperature to 25 from the existing 29 degrees C.

Kindly let me know what you think of this option, will the 6 meters be enough to do the heat exchange? Will this work?


Regards
Pk

 

[BeanAnimal]

PK,

Converting an AC unit is certainly possible. The Ti is the right product, but it is going to be hard to bend. There are several vendors (eBay) that sell pre-bent coils. Compression fittings can be used to transition from Ti to the copper. You will also want to replace the cap tube with a TXV. There are several threads here on RC detailing such projects.

 

[NCC-1701]

Bean:
Where would I find these threads. When I do a search it takes me back to this one.

 

[MeuserReef]

NCC-1701, here are 2 threads that helped me out. Both threads are old and unresponsive, but theres some good detail in the text.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=916420&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=177020&perpage=25&pagenumber=3

PK- I used Swagelok brand compression fittings (316L Stainless Steel) to transition from the copper to the Titanium. They look like these:

 

[NCC-1701]

Thanks

 

[Brian1980]

wont you run into problems witht the copper on a sps tank?

 

[BFG]

I am currently using 1. It is a Mitsubishi Starmex compressor with 30 meter of copper coil insulated by rubber. This chiller took only 20 minute to bring down from 26 degree celsius to 25 degree celsius and stay offline for about 2 hours ++. If it's raining heavily, it takes 17 minute to cool down and stay offline for 3 hours or more.

http://www.absolutereef.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=4572&view=findpost&p=130478

I am using a RD 8 2m3 pump as a return pump for my 4x2x2ft tank.

Hope this helps!

 

[MeuserReef]

BFG,

Can you post some more info on your setup. Its sounds like its pretty sweet. The link you provided requires a membership.

Thanks

 

[BFG]

MeuserReef, just join the forum. Here's the link to all you need to know about the air-con compressor chiller.

http://www.absolutereef.com/forums/index.php?showforum=92

My tank info-
Tank- 4x2x2ft with a 6ft cabinet stand.
Sump-3ft
Lighting-4x54w T5
Return pump- RD 8, 2m3
Skimmer- BK SM250 ( Just upgraded,previously Deltec APF600 )
Calcium reactor- Deltec PF 501
Kalkwasser reactor- Locally made
Fluidized reactor- 2x TLF Phosban reactor ( RowaCarbon and Rowaphos )
Wavemaker- Tunze 2x 6100 with 7095 controller
ATO- Tunze Osmolator
Chiller- Starmex aircon compressor with drop in cooling coil.

Future addition ( if you must know )
Denitrator,
Grotech TEC III NG dosing pump, use to supplement the calcium reactor- http://www.grotech.de/ENGLISH/index.php?c=1&s=teciiing
4x39w T5 lightset, addition as I may want to have sps in the future,
growing my own food such as phytoplankton and zooplankton/copepod.

 

[perikaruppan]

Thanks for your inputs. ... i have got hold of certain Electrode manufactures who do bend titaniums and other pipes... www.tianode.com... kindda pretty economical they are here.

Just wanted to know whether the TI pipe of 7m length (coiled) enough with regards to the contact time. I feel this is much more contact time when compared to the titanium chillers that have plate-exchangers which much less surface area for heat-exchange.

I am unable to locate the compression fittings here in india..will try to order them online.

I would have loved to live in the US for the easy access to materials, and in india for the Cost of Procurement!!!!...

I have gone through what is done in the singapore reef clubs.. they are using longer length coils, is this necessary?