Heat exchangers are used to cool hydraulic fluid before it is cycled back through the unit. Heat is dissipated through the reservoir. It is critical fluid levels are always kept at the correct level for proper efficiency. An unobstructed air flow above the reservoir allows for maximum cooling effect. The heat exchanger uses a heat transfer method to cool hot hydraulic fluid. By measuring the temperature of the fluid as it enters and exits the chiller, prior to reentering the brake press, you can determine the amount of heat exchange. Plug in the temperatures to the equation below.
Where: kW = heat dissipation of exchanger in kilowatts
L/min = fluid flow through the exchanger in liters per minute
∆T ⁰C = inlet fluid temperature minus outlet oil temperature in Celsius
Hot hydraulic fluid is pulled into the chillers heat exchanger. The hot fluid comes in contact with cool coils. The coils contain water, glycol solution, or another form of coolant. The cold coolant absorbs the heat from the hydraulic fluid as it is pumped over the coils. The heated coolant is pumped into an evaporator unit. The evaporator unit super cools the hot coolant, it is then pumped back into the heat exchanger. This cycle repeats over and over in a continuous cycle.
