Feature devices , piping , instruments and insulation because of the extreme effects on the materials involved .
In most industrial processes the machinery or process itself also generates heat which requires management as protection and to ensure that the product being manufactured is consistent and of the required quality . The process cooling design may be required to cool , heat , extract humidity or regulate process temperatures throughout the facility .
A good visual example of the need for cooling during manufacturing is found in the plastics industry . Where injection machinery heats a plastic polymer , this enables the polymer to be moulded or extruded and cooling assists to speed up production ( if the moulds are cooled more quickly , the quicker a new batch can be processed ). Similarly , in the blow moulding of plastic films , the temperature control of the extruded film is important , since this affects the quality and thickness of the film .
Cooling equipment can further incorporate air or liquid as the cooling medium in the process which needs precise temperature control . The cooling design often also needs to be very flexible in order to cater for multiple uses .
In addition to the need to be able to maintain different temperature set points during a manufacturing process , “ process coolers ” have to be able to maintain a stable temperature at the set point despite variations from the process itself .
Factories often have a limited form of ventilation and very rarely a mechanical cooling installation to control the actual indoor climate itself . The resulting workplace conditions therefore may have a negative effect on the comfort and wellbeing of employees as well as the performance in production , or lead to accidents .
Processes such as printing in the graphic industry , or processing plastic and metals release a lot of heat , gases , vapours and dusts . Owing to these conditions , it is crucial to design an adequate ventilation system for a facility too . Continuous
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Foundries use a significant amount of cooling technology in producing products .
ventilation refreshes the inside air completely , several times an hour . As a result of this ventilation process , the heat , gases , vapours , dusts ( and other harmful substances ) can continuously be extracted from the space .
When working with materials such as paper or plastic , these materials cannot deteriorate due to incorrect humidity . Correct humidity levels in such applications lower the chances of static charge , dust load and unwanted material deformation is thus minimized . Furthermore , meeting optimal humidity prevents , for example , condensation on those cooled moulds mentioned earlier - which is particularly a requirement for the plastic and rubber industries alike .
Hygiene on the other hand is the top priority in the food and beverage industry . Here supply air is sourced from the “ fresh air ”, and the outside air can contain all kinds of bacteria and fungi , and so design must account for such process requirements . Some experts believe using fresh air without pre-treatment raises the risks in product contamination . This would be relevant where processes could not achieve consistency owing to such influences .
www . hvacronline . co . za RACA Journal I April 2022 21