Industrial Chiller Winter Anti-Freeze Maintenance Tips

As the winter chill sets in, it's crucial to take extra care of your industrial chiller to ensure its longevity and optimal performance. Here are some essential tips to keep your chiller running smoothly throughout the colder months.

1. Add Antifreeze When Temperatures Drop Below 0℃

1)Why Add Antifreeze?——When temperatures fall below 0℃, antifreeze is essential to prevent freezing of the coolant, which could cause cracks in the laser and internal chiller pipes, damaging seals and affecting performance. It's important to choose the right antifreeze, as the wrong type could damage the industrial chiller's internal components.

2)Choosing the Right Antifreeze: Opt for antifreeze with good freeze resistance, anti-corrosion, and anti-rust properties. It should not affect rubber seals, have low viscosity at low temperatures, and be chemically stable.

3)Mixing Ratio: To ensure optimal performance and prevent damage, It's recommended that the antifreeze concentration does not exceed 30%.

2. Winter Operating Conditions for Chillers

To ensure proper chiller operation, maintain the environment temperature above 0℃ to avoid freezing and potential damage. Before restarting the chiller in winter, check if the water circulation system has frozen.

1)If Ice Is Present: ①Turn off the water chiller and related equipment immediately to prevent damage. ②Use a heater to warm the chiller and help the ice melt. ③Once the ice has melted, restart the chiller and carefully check the chiller, external pipes, and equipment to ensure proper water circulation.

2)For Environments Below 0℃: If possible and if power outages are not a concern, it is advisable to leave the chiller running 24/7 to ensure water circulation and prevent freezing. 

3. Winter Temperature Settings for Fiber Laser Chillers

Optimal Operating Conditions for Laser Equipment

Temperature: 25±3℃

Humidity: 80±10%

Acceptable Operating Conditions

Temperature: 5-35℃

Humidity: 5-85%

Do not operate laser equipment below 5℃ in winter.

TEYU S&A CWFL Series fiber laser chillers have dual cooling circuits: one for cooling the laser and one for cooling the optics. In intelligent control mode, the cooling temperature is set to 2℃ lower than the ambient temperature. In winter, it's recommended to set the temperature control mode for the optics circuit to constant temperature mode to ensure stable cooling for the laser head based on the user’s requirements.

4. Industrial Chiller Shutdown and Storage Procedures

When the ambient temperature is below 0℃ and the chiller is unused for a long period, drainage is necessary to prevent freezing damage.

1)Water Drainage

①Drain Cooling Water: Open the drain valve to empty all water from the chiller.

②Remove Pipes: When draining the internal water in the chiller, disconnect the inlet/outlet pipes and open the fill port and drain valve.

③Dry the Pipes: Use compressed air to blow out any remaining water. 

*Note: Avoid blowing air at the joints where yellow tags are pasted near the water inlet and outlet, as it may cause damage.

2)Chiller Storage

After cleaning and drying the chiller, store it in a safe, dry location. Use a clean plastic or thermal bag to cover the chiller to prevent dust and moisture from entering.

For more about TEYU S&A industrial chiller maintenance, please click https://www.teyuchiller.com/installation-troubleshooting_nc7. If you need further assistance, feel free to consult our customer service team via service@teyuchiller.com.