Press: Modular chillers increase availability

Recooling systems have proven themselves well in providing high-performance climate control that meets the demands of industry. The drawback so until recently was that the recooling systems available had not been completely standardised: the negative consequences for machine manufacturers and plant operators, such as higher prices, longer delivery times and complex spare parts management are a thing of the past.
Rittal is now pursuing a so-far unprecedented approach with its new cooling system series - the "TopTherm Chiller". The manufacturer has quite consistently placed the emphasis on a modular design system using only a few components: water and cooling modules, as well as an electrical module with integrated control are installed in a TS 8 enclosure.
The recooling system's enclosure is available in two basic widths (800 and 1,200 mm) as well as with a height of 2,000 mm and a depth of 800 mm. The cooling modules in the narrow enclosures are available in power ranges of 8, 12 and 16 kW, while those in the wider housings are available as 20 and 25 kW units. If the enclosures are combined, combinations of 32 or 40 kW are possible (2x16 = 32 kW and 2x20 = 40 kW). Thus seven different cooling outputs are available with just two different sizes.

If the user needs a larger pump with the same output, a correspondingly larger one with 4.5 bar is used instead of one with 2.5 bar. In addition to that, an optional cooling module with a hot gas bypass control for an accuracy of ± 0.5 °C is available if a more precise temperature is also needed. This also applies, if a control voltage of 24 V DC is required. Other series components are the flow rate monitors and the dual-frequency version with 400 V / 50 Hz and 460 V / 60 Hz, which represents an important prerequisite for worldwide use.
The benefits of the new modular design for machine manufacturers and operators are lower costs, shorter delivery times, and the simplified management of spare parts. Instead of the having to conduct the usual lengthy field tests to discover which component is defective, only the module concerned needs to be replaced. This increases both the availability of the equipment and the process reliability.

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Rittal GmbH & Co. KG

Rittal GmbH & Co. KG, which has its headquarters in Herborn, Germany, is one of the world's leading system suppliers for housing and enclosure technologies, power distribution systems, system climate control and IT infrastructure. Customers from all sectors of industry, from mechanical and plant engineering, as well as from the IT and telecoms market, are making use of system solutions from Rittal.

Its broad product range also includes complete solutions for modular and energy-efficient data centres: from innovative security concepts for data systems (formerly known as Litcos) through to physical data and system security for IT infrastructures (formerly known as Lampertz). The leading software providers Eplan and Mind8 - Rittal subsidiaries - are supplementing the Rittal product portfolio with interdisciplinary engineering solutions.

Founded in 1961, Rittal is now active worldwide with 12 production sites, 63 subsidiaries and 40 agencies. With 9,000 employees worldwide, Rittal is the largest company of the proprietor-run Friedhelm Loh Group of Haiger, Germany. The entire group employs more than 10,500 people and generated revenues of more than € 2.2 billion in 2008. Further information at www.rittal.com and www.friedhelm-loh-group.com.