Remote mount radiators for emergency generators

[kyliemax]

I am reviewing the design for the cooling system for some small (2 MW) emergency diesel generators. The jacket water is circulated through remote mounted horizontal radiators - which is a typical arrangement. However, I noticed that the design was changed to orientate the radiators with air flow directed horizontally (parallel to the ground) rather than vertically (upward, away from the ground). Reportedly, this was due to a fear of snow accumulation.

This seems odd to me since there are many vertical discharge radiators in cold climates. Seems to me that the hot water will substantially melt the snow by the time the fan comes on. The fan itself is underneath the cores so it will be protected from the snow and icing. I would appreciate any thoughts on this from someone familiar with the design of these systems.

-JV

 

[AbbyNormal]

I did a few remote communities for what used to be called Onatario Hydro, we came up with a lot of uses for the hot water,, but at the end of the day, it was a remote condenser that discharged vertically.

Take the "V" out of HVAC and you are left with a HAC(k) job.

 

[MintJulep]

For a constantly running engine vertical is typically no problem since the heat exchanger is "always" hot, snow and ice should continually melt.

For an emergency generator, the possibility exists that the thing may only run for a few minutes before utility power is restored. You could imagine a situation where accumulated snow begins to melt but then refreezes and forms a dam within the air side of the exchanger. A few freeze-thaw cycles could get enough ice inside the surfaces to damage the exchanger as it expands.

 

[AbbyNormal]

ahh emergency being the key word, missed that. My comments were towards primary power

Take the "V" out of HVAC and you are left with a HAC(k) job.

 

[kyliemax]

Thanks Guys.

-John