glycol heat exchanger 1

[freezing]

I work at a place that uses glycol cooling and amonia in a heat exchanger. The glycol expansion tank is at a good levle,but I noticed at times on my heat exchanger on the site glass that it is below the site glass .I would then see it increase in the levle. the expansion tank never changed. my question is is this normal or is there a problem.I am still looking into this and contacting others. any info is apreciated..............

 

[SMF1964]

Question: Did you observe the barometric pressure at the time when you would see low site-glass levels vs. when you would see "normal" site-glass levels? Could you be experiencing something like a barometer effect in the site-glass/heat exchanger?

 

[deanc]

http://www.infras.gov.ab.ca/Content/doctype306/production/TechPres28.pdf

This may help. The expansion ratio of glycol is much greater than water. You may just be seeing the effects of different temps. in the two vessels.

 

[freezing]

Thankx for the link !!....... I found my problem due to not knowing the system. I found out the correct info that it was the amonia in the shell and glycol in the tubes so it was the amonia I was not seeing and the system wasnt calling for cooling of the glycol.