Survey of available systems for improving heat transfer in air conditioning chiller condensers

A survey of available systems which claim to maintain or improve the heat transfer ability of air conditioning condensers was performed. Two systems were identified, both of German origin. One system called the 'M. A. N. On-Load Tube Cleaning System' uses small brushes to keep the condenser tubes clean. This system is distributed by Water Sevices of America, Inc. The other system, handled by Amertap of Mineola, New York, uses small foam rubber balls to maintain and clean the condenser tubes. Several users of these systems were identified and visited. The M. A. N. system appears to require less day to day maintenance and is more widely used. In view of the many modified air conditioning units located at non-governmental organizations, it is considered unnecessary to conduct formal tests before approving the general use of the M. A. N. system. It is recommended however, that a comparison test be made of the two systems. Because performance data are more easily obtained from centrifugal chillers than other systems, this type should be the first modified. Performance data should be obtained both before and after installation to verify the two year payback period predicted in this report. Locations in the Washington, D.C., or Norfolk area look most promising.