on/off chiller unit for a batch production

[leo31]

Hello there, I was wondering if it is actually possible to use a chiller in a batch production, since it will have to be turned on/off several times a day.
From what I've been told, like any machine, the constant on/off cycles will eventually cause some problems, to avoid them one supplier suggested installing a buffer tank: how would that help and could it really be sufficient to support this type of operation? Many thanks in advance

 

[Heaviside1925]

OP,
It sounds like you have a knowledgeable supplier. Cycling does cause wear on a system, but it also requires the system to be sized based on the heat flux of your batch. To conceptualize this, think of the difference between an on-demand water heater and a tank type water heater in your home. An on-demand water heater would be sized to handle the instantaneous heating of the water required for your shower, whereas a tank type water heater, only the storage tank needs to be sized for the shower demand. The storage tank's heater would just need to be large enough to heat the water in the tank between showers or in your case batches.
If properly sized, a buffer tank would reduce cycling along with equipment tonnage.

 

[SAK9]

A buffer tank or a balancing tank with hot/cold well is very common in all production facilities requiring process cooling. The chiller capacity and production demand is never going to match so you need a buffer to stop the chiller from cycling on/off.If the production load is of short duration peaks then it is even possible to undersize the chiller and get the buffer tank to meet the peak loads.

 

[LittleInch]

Well it depends on the usage and quantity and availability of space for the storage tank.

At the best case you would take your cold water requirement in terms of heat, divide it by 24 and then fit a unit able to run 24hr/day to cool down a large tank of cold water and then dependent on the usage, manage to still have a bit left at the end of the day before cooling the rest down again in the off periods.

More likely you will need to size the chiller based perhaps over a working day period or a bit more where your demands on cooling can be accommodated by the tank plus the chiller supplying 50-70% of the chilling load.

But if you have one big batch then a bunch of smaller ones that might not work either.

So figure out what your actual demand graph looks like over time and do the numbers. It might make sense, it might not.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[Heaviside1925]

OP,
Your initial question: I was wondering if it is actually possible to use a chiller in a batch production Yes
Your next question: how would that (sic buffer tank) help and could it really be sufficient to support this type of operation?
See LittleInch's signature. (BTW, great signature LittleInch!)
A buffet tank may or may not make sense. Not all batch processes are the same, not all facilities are the same, not all locations are the same. The type of technology that makes the most sense is going to be specific to a lot more factors than just, if the process is continuous or batch.