WATER COOLED

CONDENSORS
Guided By, Prepared By,

Mr.Ijas Nazeer Ajmal N

Asst. Professor S7 Mechanical
Mechanical Dept Roll no.7
TKMIT TKMIT
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 CONTENTS
Introduction
(3-4)

Types (5-12)

Advantages (13)

Disadvantages (14)

(15)
Comparison between Air and Water Cooled Condensors

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INTRODUCTION
• In watercooled condensers, water is the external fluid (condensingmedium).
• Used in commercial and industrial refrigerating units.
• They require a cooling tower to conserve water.

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INTRODUCTION
• To prevent corrosion and forming of algae, water cooled condensors require a
constant supply of makeup water along with water treatment.
• Selection of water cooled condensors depends upon:

➢ Cooling load in evaporator

➢ Condensor temperature
➢ Availability of water
➢ Water inlet and outlet temperature

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TYPES OF CONDENSORS
(a) Tube-in-tube or Double pipe
(b) Shell-and-coil
(c) Shell-and-tube

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(a) Tube-in-Tube (DoublePipe) Condenser

• In this type, a smaller diameter pipe inserted inside a bigger diameter pipe and is bent to the
desired form.
• Water flows through the inner tube and the refrigerant through the annular space between the
two tubes
• The flow of refrigerant and water being arranged in opposite direction (Counter) to get the
maximum benefit of heat transfer
• Double pipe condensers are normally used upto 10TR capacity.

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(a) Tube-in-Tube (DoublePipe) Condenser

• Due to the impurities present in water, scales can form on the water-side of the tube which can
impede the heat transfer. Therefore it becomes necessary to periodically clean the water tube.
But in the tube-in-tube system, cleaning is not easy, unlessa removable header is provided to
connect all the tubes.Headers are used at both the ends to make the length of the condenser
small and reduce pressure drop.

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(b) Shell-and-Coil Condenser

• These condensers are used in systems upto 50TR capacity.

• It consists of a welded-steel shell containing a coil of finned tubing to increase
the heat transfer coefficient.
• Water flows in the coil,the refrigerant being in the shell.
• Coiled tubing is free to expand and contract with temperature changes because of its spring
action and can with stand any strain caused by temperature changes.
• When water flows through the coils, cleaning is done by circulating suitable chemicals through
the coils.

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(c) Shell-and-Tube Condenser
• Used in systems from 2-1000TR capacity. The most common type is horizontal shell type.
• The refrigerant flows through the cylindrical shell while water flows through the straight tubes
in single to four passes.
• The condensed refrigerant collects at the bottom of the shell. The liquid refrigerant is drained to
the receiver through a vent connecting the receiver to the condenser.
• Vertical shell-and-tube type condensers are usually used with ammonia in large capacity
systems so that cleaning of the tubes is possible from top while the plant is running.
• A fusible plug or safety pressure relief valve is fixed on the shell of the condenser to protect the
high side of the refrigeration system against excessive pressures.
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Advantages (Water Cooled Condensors)
• High rate of heat transfer
• Overall operation is less expensive
• Used for large capacity plants
• Produces less noise
• Size of compressor is less
• It can operate at low condensing temperature

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Disadvantages (Water Cooled Condensors)
• Installation cost is more
• More maintainence
• Operating water cooled condensor is not easy
• It is not flexible to use everywhere
• Require an additional recirculation system for used water
• Undergoes corrosion effect

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Air cooled Condenser Water Cooled Condenser
Simple construction , less initial and maintenance cost Complex construction, more initial and maintenance cost

No handling problems Difficult to handle

Doesn’t require piping arrangement for carrying air Pipes are required to take water to and from the condenser

No problem in disposing of used air Problem in disposing used air unless a recirculation
system is provided
No corrosion – Low fouling effect Corrosion occurs fouling effects are high
Low heat transfer capacity due to low temperature High temperature capacity due to high temperature

Used for low capacity plants Used for large plants

There is fan noise There is no fan noise
Non uniform distribution of air on condenser Even distribution of water on the condenser surface

High Flexibility Low flexibility

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 Thanks

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