How does an air/water heat exchanger work?
Rittal heat exchangers that use air and water are combined with recooling systems or a pre-existing cooling water circuit to provide a complete system solution. A closed pipework system creates a closed water circuit, which ensures efficient and cost-effective cooling of machinery, equipment and enclosures. The use of a closed system stops dust and other contaminants getting in from the outside, which makes for clean and reliable cooling.
Rittal air/water heat exchangers are exceptionally robust. They are suitable for ambient temperatures of up to 70 °C and for challenging environments with high levels of oil/chemicals. Rittal offers air/water heat exchangers in wall-mounted and roof-mounted designs or integrated into the VX25 baying enclosure system. For hygiene-critical production zones – in the food and beverage industry, for instance – Hygienic Design air/water heat exchangers are also available.
You can choose from the following designs:
- Air/water heat exchangers for wall mounting, 0.3 to 7 kW
- Air/water heat exchangers HD for wall mounting, 0.6 to 1.2 kW
- Air/water heat exchangers for roof mounting, 1.87 to 4 kW
- Liquid Cooling Package, air/water heat exchanger in the bayed enclosure system, 9.5 kW
What are the benefits of using an air/water heat exchanger for an enclosure?
- Efficient cooling and energy savings: Using water as a cooling medium dissipates heat efficiently, reduces the temperature in the enclosure and extends the service life of the electronics. The energy consumption is also lower than with air-cooled systems.
- Cost-effectiveness and flexibility: Heat exchangers benefit from system compatibility with existing recooling systems and are easy to integrate into centralised cooling water systems, which simplifies installation and maintenance.
- Process reliability and clean internal air: Closed cooling circuits stop dirt and dust getting into the enclosure, while integrated temperature monitoring and alarm functions provide additional safety.
- Resistance and adaptability: Having a high IP protection category and being unaffected by the ambient temperature means heat exchangers can be used in aggressive environments and at extreme external temperatures of up to 70 °C.
- Compact design and space-saving installation: Thanks to minimal space requirements and a compact design, these heat exchangers simplify assembly and can be used where space is tight.
- Quiet operation and minimal maintenance requirements: Air/water heat exchangers operate quietly compared with conventional cooling methods and their robust design means they have only minimal maintenance requirements.
To sum up, air/water heat exchangers offer a durable, clean and energy-efficient solution for cooling enclosures, especially in challenging industrial environments.
When does it make sense to use an air/water heat exchanger?
An air/water heat exchanger offers an efficient solution when temperatures are high or space is tight. It is often quieter than other fan or air-conditioning systems, which can be an advantage in noise-sensitive environments. Its closed system offers protection from dust and other contaminants, making it an ideal industrial air/water heat exchanger, for instance.
Explore Rittal cooling solutions
If you would like to find out more about using water for enclosure cooling, download our brochure “The future is sustainable: Efficient liquid cooling” in English or German, or get in touch with us directly – we will be happy to answer your questions.