Components of Evaporative Condenser
- Condenser Coil: Where the refrigerant circulates and is condensed.
- Water Spray System: Nozzles and piping that distribute water evenly over the coil.
- Fan(s): To move air through the unit (typically axial fans).
- Sump: A basin at the bottom that collects water.
- Water Pump: Recirculates water from the sump to the spray nozzles.
- Eliminators: Corrugated PVC sheets that capture entrained water droplets from the exhaust air to prevent water loss (“drift”).
Evaporative Condenser vs. Evaporative Fluid Cooler vs. Cooling Tower
This is a common point of confusion. Here’s the critical difference:
| Feature | Evaporative Condenser | Evaporative Fluid Cooler (Closed-CCT) | Open Cooling Tower |
| What it Cools | Refrigerant (e.g., R-134a, Ammonia) inside a coil. | Water or Glycol Solution inside a coil. | Water directly. |
| Process Fluid | Refrigerant is in a closed loop. | Process Fluid (water) is in a closed loop. | Process Water is in an open loop. |
| Function | To condense a refrigerant from a vapor to a liquid. | To cool a liquid (without phase change). | To cool water by direct contact with air. |
| Output | Condensed liquid refrigerant. | Cooled water. | Cooled water. |
Simple Analogy:
- An Evaporative Fluid Cooler is like a car’s radiator that uses evaporation to super-chill the coolant.
- An Evaporative Condenser is doing the same job, but for refrigerant instead of water.