Posted: 16 September 2022
Sue is Manger of the Resin Development Laboratory at a worldwide industrial coatings company. Sue’s appointment was six years ago when the new lab was established and the main remit of the department is research and development.
ATC have supplied a K1 chiller to the lab following a referral from a colleague who has successfully used ATC chillers on site. These were used in a paint lab for cooling the mills and the recommendation originated from the site engineer.
When the lab was built it was suggested that the research could use tap water and dispose of it down the drain. The company environmental policy prohibits this. Even though the process would be going through a clean glass condenser it’s still classed as an industrial emission and as there isn’t a proper drain in the location for any water to just soak away.
The research carried out can’t use tap water, as this would limit the water to ambient temperature. This would prove ineffective due to varying temperatures on hot days or very cold days. The use of the ATC chiller enables a consistent flow at a consistent and controllable temperature, usually colder than tap water. This is more efficient, losing less condensate in the atmosphere and reduces the level of fumes in the fume cupboard within the lab, helping to create a safer and more comfortable working environment.
The high temperature reaction is at 220-230⁰C. When the reaction occurs water is produced as a by-product. Both the quantity and purity of the water evolved by the reaction need to be closely monitored. This is not possible without effective cooling of the condenser.
Chillers in the lab are consistently used for eight hours a day, every day. The reactions take a long time, three to four days to complete one product. During an eight-hour day and the chiller needs to be on whenever there are reactions taking place. The chiller stays hardwired in location, with four reactions which run in parallel on one and three that run in parallel on the other.
An ATC Service Engineer has recently visited the site for a maintenance check to keep the chillers running efficiently, which is essential due to the nature of the research and the need for constant use of the chillers.
Sue said of her experience of dealing with ATC “I have found ATC always advised on the right model for my requirements, technical support and questions are always answered promptly. Generally, the chillers are very reliable so we don’t have a need to contact the technical team very often with support questions, but staff are knowledgeable and supportive.”
The main reason for our selection of ATC chillers is the reliability and consistency they provide. They are better for the environment, as they are a recirculating system and the use of precision chillers enables us to cut down any emissions into the lab. All of this is an essential part of what we do.” The ATC chiller is a vital part of the research and Sue has already recommended ATC chillers to colleagues. Sue is the only person in the group who manages reactive chemistry, cooling paint mills but other colleagues have a requirement for precision chillers.
Find out more about ATC chillers.