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Pfannenberg’s DTS Cooling Units to Cool a City of Los Angeles Water Treatment Plant

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Recent work done at a City of Los Angeles Water Treatment Plant required the improvement of a large odor control system. For the odor control system to work properly, 200HP fans are needed and to meet the cooling needs of the system, the City of Los Angeles considered a variety of Thermal Management options.

Pfannenberg’s  DTS 3681 (NEMA Type 4/4x)  Side Mounting Cooling Units were selected for the job. The stainless-steel cooling units have a large capacity, at almost two tons. They are specially designed for long term use in high temperature, high ambient environments, such as the odor control system.

     

The DTS 3681 cooling units are self-protecting from harsh environments due to a number   of features, including the location of the control electronics within a dry, cool interior circuit. All the constituent components comply with the highest standards which makes these cooling units, the best option for protecting critical electronics.

Pfannenberg DTS Cooling Units closed loop design isolates the external ambient air from the internally conditioned air eliminating the risk of contaminants entering the cabinet. The hermetically sealed compressor guarantees 100% cooling capacity efficiency. The absence of any refrigerant fill valves eliminates leak paths.

Pfannenberg’s DTS 3681 Cooling Units are sure to last long in serving the odor control system. Reasons for this include the high airflow backward curve impeller fan, which provides high airflow in a long lasting, single bearing design. This is in contrast to the typical two-bearing blowers, with the DTS 3681 Cooling units boasting nearly twice the lifespan!

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Preventing Condensation in Electrical Enclosures

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Condensation is the act of a substance transitioning from its gas form to its liquid form. Condensation is a common phenomenon in nature, and we have all seen condensation of water on a bathroom mirror or on the surface of a glass holding a cold drink. Condensation occurs when the temperature of a surface drops below the dewpoint temperature – a dynamic, not static, temperature point that depends upon the interplay between humidity and ambient temperature.

While condensation may look beautiful in the form of the morning dew, it can wreak havoc with valuable electronic equipment. This moisture can cause rust, corrosion, short circuiting and electric shock – proving at the least to be expensive and at the most to be dangerous.

How to prevent condensation in Electrical Cabinets?

Pfannenberg, which specializes in providing solutions for thermal management systems, has its finger on the pulse of how to prevent condensation in enclosures – such as electrical cabinets – that need to be kept free of moisture.

The first tip has to do with controlling the enclosure temperature. “Traditionally, in an enclosure, we are going to recommend keeping the temperature somewhere between the 85-degree and 95-degree Fahrenheit mark,” says Pfannenberg sales representative Adam Wells. “That generally represents a comfortable place for the electronics as well as for keeping it warm enough to avoid that dew point temperature.”

Pfannenberg experts also recommend using dehumidifiers in enclosures with high humidity or that are not completely sealed to prevent condensation. Typical dehumidifiers use a desiccant or some type of silica gel to wick moisture out of the air. Air conditioning units can also act to collect any condensate that may build up on the internal side of an enclosure and be dispersed into the environment with the help of a condensate evaporator.

Air conditioning units can also act to collect any condensate that may build up on the internal side of an enclosure and be dispersed into the environment with the help of a condensate evaporator.

Hygrostat FLZ 600

An unusual device known as a hygrostat can also be used to monitor the humidity levels in an enclosure. Originally made of horsehair, hygrostats are now made with synthetic hairs that expand and contract depending on the amount of water in the air. The same can be seen happening in human hair – for example when hair gets curlier on a humid day.

Another way to open the door to condensation is, literally, by opening a door. Pfannenberg sales representative Chris Marlow explains, “If you have an enclosure, and you have a cooling device in there, and you don’t turn off the device when you open the doors, you can get condensation build up inside that enclosure just from exposing air to that decrease in temperature.”

 

For more information on how to protect valuable electric equipment from condensation, visit Pfannenberg’s lively webinar discussion on this topic at https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6751272280717546255.

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Pfannenberg’s Cooling Units Help Support Bottling Inspection

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We understand as a consumer that it can get aggravating when you purchase a bottled beverage and the packaging is either defective or the container is not filled properly. It is crucial that beverage and food manufactures implement an inspection system – not only for sanitary reasons, but also for product quality.  Once quality is compromised, the manufacturer loses brand reputation.

Common Problems:

  • Fill Level is Over/Under Target
  • Cracked Cap/Seal
  • Missing Cap
  • Broken/Tampered Band
  • Wrong Cap Color

Pfannenberg’s NEMA Type 4/4X DTS Washdown Stainless Steel Cooling Units fit in perfectly with inspection machines. Inspection equipment (vision systems and x-ray equipment) generate a lot of heat that needs to be managed.  As products move rapidly down the line the inspection machines have to quickly provide an alert when a defective product is detected and signal removal of the defective product.  These inspection machines have hi-res cameras and stainless steel housing to be compatible with the high speed filling lines that need to be cooled.  Pfannenberg’s DTS units are a perfect fit for this equipment and come in various sizes and capacities depending on the requirements.

DTS Series Cooling Units:

  • The wide fin spacing is less susceptible to clogging from dirt buildup which can cause the unit to work harder and hamper efficiency
  • NEMA Type 4/4X Stainless Steel to repel contaminants in food grade applications and to provide for easy washdown
  • High temperature models can operate in ambient temperatures up to 140 °F (60 °C)

As consumers, when we make a purchase we expect the product to be perfect – both taste and overall look (packaging). Nothing would be more upsetting then paying for a beverage and having it filled half full or damaged.  Without the cooling necessary for these inspection systems, the quality of the final product would suffer.

Click here to learn more about Pfannenberg’s DTS Cooling Units

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Success Story: DTS Cooling Unit back for service after 15 Years of use!

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At Pfannenberg, we are delighted to learn how satisfied our customers are with our products. When we received an old DTS Cooling Unit back for service after 15 years of use, we could do nothing but offer a full-service repair on the unit!

This DTS Unit was sold by Pfannenberg to an integrator back in 2004. The final customer, a manufacturer of fencing, railing and hardware has been a Pfannenberg customer since 2011 and has always been satisfied with this product. This DTS Cooling unit is used to keep the blow-molding machine cool and operational.

The reason for returning the unit to Pfannenberg was not to upgrade to a newer product, but to perform routine maintenance on the unit.  After a full evaluation, our service technician replaced all defective components to get the unit back to full running status, meeting a good refrigeration delta temperature condition. Additionally, preventative measures were taken by replacing fan motors, capacitors and relays, as well as a thorough cleaning of the condenser coil for proper heat dissipation.

 

This success story demonstrates once again the robustness and service-friendliness of Pfannenberg Thermal Management products. Pfannenberg customers can rely on reliable products and customer service to keep their application and processes up and running, even after 15 years.

Contact us for Preventative Maintenance on your units or recommended spare parts!

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Pfannenberg concludes exclusive agreement on thermal management solutions with the BMW Group

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Thermal management specialist Pfannenberg has concluded an exclusive agreement with the BMW Group on thermal management solutions for the production plants at all sites worldwide.


Picture Source: BMW AG

Pfannenberg’s energy-efficient, low-maintenance and long-lasting thermal management solutions as well as our global presence were decisive in the conclusion of this partnership. Depending on site, environment and application, we offer a wide range of thermal management solutions – from filterfans® and air/air heat exchangers to air/water heat exchangers and cooling units.

The perfect cooling solution for any requirement

Whether painting or assembly work, manufacturing in the automotive industry uses many different processes at the same time and production efficiency is a top priority. Cooling requirements vary depending on the application, and a precise analysis of the needs is necessary to define the appropriate performance. Otherwise, an oversized system can lead to higher energy consumption. In this area, Pfannenberg offers the right thermal management solution for every cooling requirement and ensures an energy-efficient and smooth production sequence. In particular, Pfannenberg’s ECool series cooling units stand out for their high performance, intelligent control and exceptionally easy-to-maintain design.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

“We are very pleased about this cooperation and look forward to the coming years as a partner of the BMW Group. Thanks to the outstanding cooperation of the technical team, the customer service and our account managers, we can offer the BMW Group a convincing all-round package” says Jan Lautenschläger, Germany Sales Director at Pfannenberg. “In the production area, an energy-efficient cooling concept is becoming increasingly important and here in particular regarding the CO² emissions along the production chain. Major customers such as BMW are demanding a respective company-wide solution with a sustainable concept for the future. Here, the focus is clearly on energy efficiency and perceivable quality.”

Convincing energy efficiency and ease of maintenance

BMW group’s main requirements were focused on energy efficiency and maintenance needs. Thanks to the installation of test Cooling Units, Pfannenberg convinced in particular with the εCOOL series. A realistic energy consumption analysis facilitated the simulation of the expected energy consumption in various production sites. This analysis showed that due to low ambient temperatures, the real environment will often not require the unit to run at full power. This is where the Pfannenberg’s intelligent energy-saving mode comes into play, with the “cooling mode” being triggered when the required cabinet temperature is exceeded. In addition, the standardized installation dimensions and housing cutouts allow easy replacement of cooling units and quick adaptation to changing environmental conditions and applications.

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Spring Cleaning – 3 Steps you Can Take to Prepare your Cooling Units for the Stress of the Summer Heat

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With hotter temperatures just around the corner we’ve put together this Preventative Maintenance Video to help you prepare your enclosure cooling units for the stress of summer heat.

To avoid any critical component failure, follow the 3 simple steps below to help ensure your enclosure cooling units stay up running all summer. Don’t Wait Until it’s Too Late!

STEP 1: Make Sure your Condenser Coils are Clean

The condenser coils are one of the most important components of your Cooling Unit, they ensure the reliable, cost efficient and long-term operation of your unit. When dirt, dust or debris builds up on your condenser coils, it can have a major effect on the performance of your cooling unit.

STEP 2: Check your Fan Motors and Inside/Outside Electrical Components

In order to prevent failure, the cooling unit’s fan motor and fan blades need to be inspected to determine wear and damage.  All the electrical components in the control box also need to be checked to make sure all connections aren’t damaged or loose.

STEP 3: Set your Unit to the Recommended Proper Temperature

Pfannenberg sets the dip-switches on the control board to 95°F/35°C in the factory, and recommends that the dip switch settings are not altered.

*Having the dip-switch temperature set to a lower point can cause damage not only to the cooling unit, but to the composure as well.  Changing the set point can cause the cooling unit to run excessively, possibly causing damage to the compressor and other components.  It can also cause the enclosure to produce condensate, possibly damaging electrical components inside the cabinet.

Watch the Full Video Now!

Contact us for recommended spare parts or getting your orders in now for new or replacement cooling units.

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Why Pfannenberg’s Cooling Units Do Not Need A Filter

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Pfannenberg’s ‘service-friendly’ DTS cooling units provide effective cooling for tough industrial or outdoor applications. Their closed-loop designs ensure that ambient air, dust, and humidity are not passed to the interior of the enclosure, thereby keeping sensitive and critical electronics safe from contamination and in prime operating condition.

Pfannenberg’s DTS Cooling Units filter-less design reduces the amount of required maintenance needed for operation in dirty environments. Indeed, if a dirty filter is not cleaned or replaced, it can become clogged which severely limits its efficiency and result in poor performance.

Filter-Less Design

  • High Airflow Backward Curve Impeller Fan
    Provides high airflow in a long lasting, single bearing design. Higher airflow pushes dirt through wider fin spacing allowing for less clogging which avoids system failure.
  • Large Fin Spacing
    Large condenser fin spacing allow for longer maintenance periods, even without an additional Nano coating. They are less susceptible to clogging from dirt buildup which can cause the unit to work harder and hamper efficiency.
  • Corrosion Protection
    The DTS Outdoor and wash-down units have a special coating on pipes and coils on the ambient side of the unit to provide maximum protection from saltwater, sour gas, and other corrosive substances.
  • Self-Protected Electronics
    Our unit is uniquely designed to protect itself in NEMA 3R, 4, and 4X environments. An example of this is the location of our control electronics within our dry, cool interior circuit.

 

How to Avoid System Failure

As with any unit located in a dirty environment, the components around the external air circuit require periodic cleaning. To avoid any critical component failure, follow the 3 simple steps below to help ensure your enclosure cooling units stay up running:

  • STEP 1: Make Sure your Condenser Coils are Clean
    When dirt, dust or debris builds up on your condenser coils, it can have a major effect on the performance of your cooling unit.
  • STEP 2: Check your Fan Motors and Inside/Outside Electrical Components
    The fan motor and fan blades need to be inspected to determine wear and damage.  Also make sure electrical components aren’t damaged or loose.
  • STEP 3: Set your Unit to the Recommended Proper Temperature
    Pfannenberg recommends the dip-switches on the control board to 95°F/35°C in the factory.

All maintenance should be performed by qualified personnel, following all safety procedures. To help you perform your preventative maintenance, Pfannenberg realized a simple video following the 3 above steps: Watch the Full Video Now!

 

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Stronger than the elements – Pfannenberg’s DTS 3000 series Outdoor Thermal Management Devices

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When conditions are harsh you can count on Pfannenberg’s DTS 3000 series cooling units to protect your electronics in extreme heat, cold, wet or dusty environments.

System integrators and planners often struggle with the thermal management of electrical enclosures in outdoor applications: extreme temperatures, moisture and dust are particularly challenging with some applications exposed to the elements 24/7. Pfannenberg, the world leader in the Thermal Management of electrical enclosures, has designed a range of cooling units which represent a solution to providing protection in these harsh environments.

DTS cooling Units

Pfannenberg’s DTS 3000 series Cooling Units, cooling capacity from 300W to 6.3kW, are suitable for use in demanding outdoor locations. These products are categorized in protection classes NEMA Type 4/4X and IP 66. Pfannenberg also offers heaters, thermostats and hygrostats to prevent the formation of damaging condensation.

Typically, these cooling units are used for applications in demanding environments such as deserts or extreme cold, in buildings, traffic and energy technology, in sewage and water treatment plants and in metal production/processing. They are also found in other harsh manufacturing systems for cement and building materials, the timber industry, wind,  water power generation and photo voltaic applications. Users even rely on these versatile devices in mobile equipment. Pfannenberg’s DTS 3000 series cooling units are therefore making a contribution to the energy transition.

“Pfannenberg is focusing on the growing global market for demanding outdoor cooling systems. We have have a name in the thermal management of electrical enclosures for indoor applications and with an extremely broad portfolio of devices which also meet the NEMA standard, we can cover almost every application scenario,” says Jörg Achenbach, Regional Product Manager, Thermal Management for Pfannenberg EMEA.

“Outdoor conditions are often extreme: wildly fluctuating weather situations like rain, frost and heat all present problems as do a high concentration of particles in the air, hail, snowstorms, aggressive vapors and cleaning with powerful water jets and cleaning materials. Pfannenberg offers solutions in the DTS 3000 series for all these environmental conditions, with models that can operate in temperatures ranging from -40 °F to maximum 140 °F”, explains Achenbach.

 

Robust and reliable

Pfannenberg’s DTS 3000 series offer powder-coated NEMA 3R/4 but also Type 4/4X 304 Stainless Steel units for use under the toughest conditions. A hermetically sealed cooling circuit not only ensures prevention of leaks, but also makes topping up with coolant unnecessary. Systems to protect against thermal overload, corrosion and excess pressure ensure that these outdoor cooling units have a longer operational life.

 

Dust and moisture remain outside

To prevent ingress of foreign bodies, dust or water, Pfannenberg’s outdoor cooling units meet the requirements of IP 56 and N3R protection classes as standard. Also, the DTS 3000 outdoor units condensers fins are 3 mm apart which makes them less likely to trap dust. One of the advantages of this design is that the units are almost completely maintenance free – even with very high concentration of particulate in the air.

 

Low Ambient (LA) equipment package for low temperatures

The Low Ambient (LA) anti-frost package has an integrated enclosure heater and an intelligent fan control system to ensure that the machinery operates without interruption and provides excellent protection from condensation at temperatures as low as -40 °F. The extracted moisture evaporates in the device before it can cause damaging short circuits in the enclosure. The package also includes a safety overflow and a thermostat which can be installed in the enclosure. The LA package is available with cooling capacities from 700W to more than 5kW for the DTS 3000 cooling units. The integrated electrical enclosure heater, which is very easy to install, is offered in versions up to 3kW.

 

High Temperature (HT) package for extreme heat

The High Temperature (HT) package has a temperature-stable compressor and a large condenser for reliable protection of enclosure components at exceptionally high temperatures up to 140 °F. The HT package is available for compact 700W cooling devices and also for large, powerful solutions up to 3200W.

 

Even better equipped

Compact fan heater with thermostat

As a useful addition to the outdoor cooling devices, Pfannenberg offers 10W – 1200W supplementary heaters, thermostats and hygrostats for monitoring relative humidity levels. Depending on the application, this additional equipment offers further protection from condensation and corrosion and helps to optimize the energy/cost ratio. 

As a system: cooling units, heaters, thermostats and hygrostats will ensure that the environment within the enclosure is ideal for performance and service life of the critical electronics.

 

Have a question regarding which equipment is best for your application? Contact our engineering team for more information!

Pfannenberg, Inc. is a global manufacturer of Thermal Management, Liquid Cooling Solutions and Signaling Technologies.

Pfannenberg is proud to provide solutions as a single source to its customers. Our business philosophy – Protection for man, machine and the environment.

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KUADROTEK – Cooling the cabinets of the inverter stations for the 35 MW Ashalim photovoltaic plant, in Israel.

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The plant includes the world’s tallest solar tower

The Ashalim power station is located in the Negev desert near the kibbutz of Ashalim, in Israel. The station will provide 250 Megawatt of hybrid PV-solarthermal electricity (2.5% of the Israeli consumption), which makes it the largest of its kind in Israel and one of the largest in the world. The station will combine 3 kinds of energy: solar thermal energy, photovoltaic energy, and natural gas. The PV plant has been connected to the grid in January 2018. Pfannenberg’s cooling units have been mounted in Kuadrotek’s cabinets for inverter stations.

The Customer

Kuadrotek SA, from Tarragona, is part of the Spanish Elektra Group. It specialises in the design, development and implementation of electric switchboards and control panels for the automation of installations and industrial processes in the automotive and energy industries.

Kuadrotek has delivered the electrical cabinets for the inverter stations of the 35 MW photovoltaic plant. Pfannenberg’s cooling units will ensure the perfect thermal management and operational safety for their components.

The Application

PV power plants are built across the globe, including areas of high altitude, extreme temperature, proximity to the sea, and desert areas impacted by sand and dust.

The inverter is the heart of every PV plant; it converts direct current of the PV modules into grid-compliant alternating current and feeds this into the public grid. At the same time, it controls and monitors the entire plant.

Controlling the temperature inside the electrical cabinets – and therefore guarantee the health of its components – it’s a crucial task.

The Solution

After taking into consideration different options of the competition, Kuadrotek chose Pfannenberg’s Outdoor Type 3R/4 side mount cooling units – model DTS 3161 230 V – because of the high protection level (comparable to IP 56) together with the reliability of working in extreme conditions. It offers a cooling capacity of 1235 W in a very compact design – 395 x 748 x 237 mm only.

It is available in 3 models; DTS 3141 (NEMA Type 12) for indoor use, DTS 3161 (NEMA Type 3R/4) designed for outdoor use, and the stainless steel DTS 3181 (NEMA Type 4/4x) designed for washdown applications.

The full DTS 3000 series was designed utilizing high temperature compressors and larger condensers to best perform in outdoor applications which require a maximum ambient temperature of 55 °C – such as roadside, rooftop or desert locations.

NEMA rating can be compared with IP rating – although there is no direct correspondence – but the first one is more complete and also includes other factors such as the protection from corrosion. NEMA Type 3R/4 is equivalent to IP 56. Moreover, Pfannenberg cooling units from NEMA series are UL listed.

 

“Our relationship with Kuadrotek is strengthened thanks to the reliability of the products already used in other large photovoltaic plants in the world. This is also why Kuadrotek continues to choose our products over our competitors.” Xavier Pedescoll – Sales Area Manager. Pfannenberg Iberia

 

Facts at a glance

  • Task: Control cabinet cooling in the Negev desert, Israel.
  • Application: Ashalim power station, a PV-solarthermal plant
  • Solution: n.12 DTS 3161 230 V cooling units
  • Success factors:
    • high quality products
    • highest level of protection for extreme outdoor conditions
    • long term agreement with Pfannenberg regarding warranty and worldwide support.
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CASE STUDY: SICIM – Outdoor Cabinet Cooling in Extreme Environments

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Paywelders Equipped with 4/4X DTS 3081 Cooling Units

 

Paywelder machines at work in a desert environment

The Customer

SICIM is a Construction Company established in 1962 and offering all types of services related to the installation of pipelines and relevant ancillary facilities for the transmission and distribution of oil, gas and water on an international basis. The experience gained as result of operating for the most important international Oil & Gas Companies in all types of logistic, climatic and environmental conditions, has allowed SICIM to continuously modify and perfect all the relevant operating procedures and adapt them to the specific technical and contractual requirements.

Application Requirements

SICIM has an impressive fleet of machinery that can be mobilised anywhere around the globe. Thousands of machines, including pipe-layers, paywelders, excavators, bulldozers and boring machines, used to tackle the many challenges the company faces in the implementation of its projects. These machines operate in very harsh environments such as deserts and high mountains where they must face high temperatures, humidity, saltiness, sand, etc. on a daily basis. They also have onboard control cabinets requiring temperature control in these outdoor conditions.

The Solution

Due to the need for high reliability in critical outdoors installations, plus compact size to minimize vibrations and fit the small cabinet, SICIM has successfully applied the Pfannenberg 4/4X stainless steel cooling unit DTS 3081, 694 W. The perfect and reliable functioning and the full satisfaction of the given requirements convinced the customer to standardize the solution on each and every paywelder in its fleet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is an application that has been tested for several years in the most difficult weather conditions, a welldeserved success that once again underlines the robustness, efficiency and reliability of our outdoor air-conditioning solutions. Andrea Pavarani, Sales Area Manager. Pfannenberg Italia srl

Facts at a glance

Task: Outdoor compact cabinet cooling for harsh environments

Application: Paywelder machines for oil, gas and water pipes

Solution: ~ 70 pcs DTS 3081 4/4X cooling units in 5 years

Success factors:
• efficiency and reliability in harsh environments
• low maintenance
• user friendly installation

Control cabinet and Pfannenberg cooling unit on a SICIM paywelder machine