Tempco Blog articles

Construction details of special brazed plate exchangers for CO2 refrigeration

01/06/2023

What makes brazed plate heat exchangers for CO2 refrigeration applications that special? At first glance, looking at them they really seem similar to traditional brazed plate exchangers.

Differences start getting clear while handling them, and these are due to special construction processes. In fact, the weight is different, because of the special brazing processes employed that allow these exchangers to stand working conditions with high pressure levels up to 140 bar, which are involved in refrigeration applications using CO2 as a refrigerant. Therefore, really quite remarkable pressure levels.

Another difference is related to the connections, that from the outside are looking very much alike traditional outer threaded connections. But watching more closely, we can see there is also an inner part, which is a threaded solder connection. These are combi type connections, meaning they offer a combination of connections with the outer threading that can be employed for water or non freezing solutions, while the inner part is a threaded solder connection with standard diameters usually employed in refrigeration related applications.

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Carbon fiber and temperature control in Dallara supercars

26/05/2023

If you are a passionate of racing and supercars, in Varano de’ Melegari, a small Italian town in the province of Parma, at the Dallara Academy you can visit the exposition of many of supercar models created and produced by the historical Italian automotive manufacturer along the years.

If you are lucky enough to have a guided tour of the manufacturing site, you will also be allowed to visit the area dedicated to the modeling of prototypes, the wind tunnel and the section where components and parts are produced using additive manufacturing with stereolithography 3D printing technology. Very interesting, due to the delicate controlled temperature processes involved, is then the section dedicated to the production of carbon fiber components, automotive parts and car bodies.

Carbon fiber is a ultra light and highly resistant material, and Dallara realized its first carbon fiber monocoque in 1985. Today, the components are created using carbon fiber sheets pre-impregnated with a special resin that polymerizes at ambient temperature, and therefore stored at low and controlled temperatures between -18 and -20° C.

Multiple carbon fiber sheets are layered in a mould, depending on the thickness required of the component, and moulds are then closed and pressed in vacuum, in order to eliminare any possible air bubble. The carbon fiber is then heated in furnaces at temperatures between 100° and 150° C, under pressure. The temperature levels involved in the heating process of carbon fiber components are not really high, because as said above the material already starts its polymerization phase at ambient temperature.

Dallara supercar fibra di carbonio

Carbon fiber parts and components are then cooled at accurately controlled temperatures and times. Finally, the components are finished and quality checked, essential steps because once the carbon fiber is processed, it’s not possible to reuse it nor invert the process. In addition, the overall production is made manually, leading to the high costs of carbon fiber components.

Dallara also employs carbon fiber in form of carbon sandwiches, that provide a resistance to deformation under forces of 175 kg, and also special carbon sandwich honeycomb structures with aluminium, that increase deformation resistance up to forces of 500 kg.

Dallara supercar fibra di carbonio controllo temperatura

Dallara supercar esposizione Varano

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Present and future of thermal energy in the second e-book Tempco

18/05/2023

The future of thermal energy is the subject of the second e-book we have realized in Tempco (the first one, dedicated to Thermal energy and industrial processes, is available in the Resources section on our Tempco website), called Present and future of Thermal Energy.

Future developments of thermal energy management solutions that are already impacting the present, in fact, aimed at introducing and boosting energy efficiency, sustainability and renewables in industrial applications. Also leveraging the opportunities offered by the digitalization of production processes related to the second level energy and of Industry 4.0.

This small e-book is indeed focused on the most recent and innovative technologies that are spreading within several industrial applications, speaking about heat exchangers and special plate heat exchangers for high temperatures and high pressures, employed for CO2 refrigeration in the HVAC sector. But also focusing on hydrogen applications in fuel cell technologies, heat pumps using geothermal energy and immersion TCOIL exchangers and, finally, the liquid cooling in Data Centers.

And so, thanks for any commitment in being sustainable, and Enjoy the reading!

https://www.tempco.it/download/e-book/e-book_Tempco_2022.pdf

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Thermoregulation and energy saving in vulcanization of latex

12/05/2023

A new interesting application in Tempco for latex vulcanization plants, employed for the production of pillows and mattresses, for which we have supplied a small thermoregulation unit of ours.

These plants have usually a steam vulcanization section, inside a dedicated chamber, that however entails a significant loss of both energy and steam.

Aiming at increasing the efficiency of the vulcanization process, we have therefore developed a direct heating and thermoregulating system of the mould using pressurized water, also allowing a more effective and accurate control of the temperature and a more efficient use of the energy. The process requires in particular to heat the mould (weight of 1.000 kg in aluminium) and its content (35 kg of rubber and 25 kg of water) using pressurized water from a temperature of 50° C up to 100° C, in a cycle time of 30 minutes.

In this particular installation, heating is achieved using a steam heat exchanger, but it can be also obtained using electrical heating.

Tempco centralina termoregolazione stampo vulcanizzazione lattice

The project has been developed by Giovanni Caschetto, an engineer with a strong know-how and expertise in the field of latex products (mattresses and pillows), developed first in Italy and then in China. Overall, the system allows an energy saving of 50% in the production of the heat required by the vulcanization process. Thus this is a kind of solution that allows also small enterprises to implement an internally owned production line, with limited investments both in terms of installation and energy consumption.

Tempco centralina termoregolazione riscaldamento stampo vulcanizzazione lattice

Tempco centralina termoregolazione vulcanizzazione lattice

Tempco centralina termoregolazione impianto vulcanizzazione lattice

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TCOIL plate heat exchangers in renewables applications

05/05/2023

New video on our Tempco Youtube account, showing one of our TCOIL plate heat exchangers. These are in fact the kind of plate heat exchangers for immersion applications, or also for installation as an external jacket on tanks or vessels, or to any kind of equipment that requires thermoregulation.

These heat exchangers are made of two metal sheets welded by spot welding (from which also comes the name Dimple jacket exchangers), and inflated using controlled pressure in order to create an internal chamber for the passage of the fluid that has to be cooled of heated, therefore absorbing of dissipating energy.

The TCOIL exchangers are the solution we use in all of the energy recovery applications, immersed in a tank or basin to absorb or dissipate thermal energy. We spoke recently about geothermal energy: in fact, these are the exchangers we employ for tank immersion, or also in natural basins such as lakes or even for direct immersion in sea water, as heat exchangers directly immersed in a cooler or warmer fluid.

In fact, the TCOIL exchanger shown on the video is an electropolished one, a kind of finishing treatment very much employed in the pharma sector, as well as in the chemical industry and wherever an extremely polished surface is needed in order to reduce the adhesion of scaling or, in the case of immersion in sea water, of biological organisms such as algae or mussels.

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Thermoregulation in pharma r&d laboratories for bioservices

28/04/2023

Here’s another interesting application within the pharma sector, developed by Tempco for one of the most important Italian companies in the field of r&d for bioservices. The customer is in particular a main manufacturer of APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients), highly committed in the deployment of innovative and sustainable pharmaceutical production processes.

For the applications serving the laboratories of the customer we have developed an integrated thermoregulation system, equipped with PID control of several temperature levels, providing different thermal power capacities depending on the requested duty. Fine and precise regulation of temperature is a key factor in the research and development of new molecules and APIs, in order to ensure maximum and repeatable quality standards and process safety.

applicazione-Tempco-termoregolazione-Ricerca-pharma-bioservices-API

The thermoregulation system for APIs production has been realized as a turn-key plug and play solution.

Tempco termoregolazione Ricerca pharma API

Tempco termoregolazione Ricerca bioservices pharma produzione API

Tempco termoregolazione Ricerca pharma API bioservices

Tempco termoregolazione Ricerca pharma produzione bioservices API

Tempco termoregolazione Ricerca bioservices pharma API

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Where to install the expansion vessel on hydraulic plants

21/04/2023

In this new video on our Tempo Youtube channel we talk about the expansion vessel, which can be found in every thermodynamic plant, thermoregulation unit, cooling or heating system and hydraulic plants, wherever there are fluids circulating.

As the word itself tells, the expansion tank is aimed at compensating the expansion of fluids that, when exposed to temperature variations, are also subjected to volume variations.

Let’s talk in particular about open expansion vessels, and thus meaning expansion vessels exposed to the atmosphere. Well, where the expansion vessel has to be installed? The expansion vessel always has to be installed at the highest point of the plant. That’s because, complying with the communicating vessels principle, all of the fluids within the pipings tend to settle at the same level.

Therefore, if the expansion tank is installed at a lower point compared to the pipings, there will be an overflowing of the fluid due to an excess of the capacity volume. It happens because the fluids circulating in the pipings at higher positions tend to settle at the same level of the spot opened and exposed to the atmosphere.

That’s why, in consequence, the expansion vessel must be installed at the top. On the piping side it will then possible to install some vent valves.

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From water to energy, Baglietto unfolds the future of zero emission yachting

14/04/2023

On April 12 was held the official launch of B^zero, a hybrid electric system for zero emission navigation in the luxury yacht of Baglietto, that leverages renewables, photovoltaic power and hydrogen fuel cells, to bring sustainability within the sea travels.

Tempco proudly participated at the event as a technological partner of Baglietto. The constant and ongoing commitment of both Baglietto and Tempco to safeguard the environment have found a common point of contact in this highly innovative project.

The B^zero project, in order to create a more green and sustainable yachting, primarily aims at increasing the electric cruising range of vessels in zero-emission mode. In fact this is obtained thanks to the integration of hydrogen fuel cell technology on a hybrid or diesel-electric platform on board of the Baglietto yachts. Within the construction facility of Baglietto, a fully functioning prototype of the system has been realized, to be mounted on board on the manufacturer’s vessels.

Tempco contributed to the achievement of the objective by supplying the cooling systems for power electronics on board. Following an in depth study of the application, Tempco has been able to provide an efficient and compact solution that is, clearly and furthermore, completely customized upon the customer’s needs.

This very innovative and groundbreaking yacht requires indeed a refined and elegant design and engineering, both in terms of equipments and the luxury details of even the smallest finishing touch. Tempco has therefore achieved a relevant goal, proving that innovative engineering and luxury can go hand in hand while pursuing a common objective.

Baglietto Bzero yacht zero emissioni celle a combustile idrogeno Tempco

The technical scheme of the machinery clearly shows the highly innovative content of the Bzero project by Baglietto

The name B^zero (B raised to zero) means that the emissions produced during the travel of this yacht will be equal to zero. This is possible thanks to solar energy and to a hydrogen production module directly from seawater, filtered and deionized. This module produces the main fuel of the vessel, hydrogen, with 5.0 degree of purity at a maximum pressure of 35 bar through a system of AEM-type electrolysers (for a total power of about 55 kW). The electrolysers are primarily powered by energy from renewable sources (photovoltaic panels) and/or the electricity grid with the aim of producing as much ‘green hydrogen’ as possible.

In short:

➔ Seawater is collected, filtered and deionized by a hydrogen production module
➔ Starting from treated water, hydrogen is synthesized, providing the main green fuel of the yacht
➔ During the process, solar energy collected by photovoltaic panels is employed to power AEM-type electrolysers. These enable the correct functioning of each step.
➔ The final output, is clean and green hydrogen with zero emissions

Each one of these steps requires a fine control of temperature, and to achieve it Baglietto entrusted Tempco. Ad hoc engineered systems ensure the cooling of power electronic components on board, that include all of the electrical instruments serving the start and powering of the yacht. Once again, producing energy in an eco-friendly mode.

The video here below (courtesy by Baglietto), as a further proof of the efficacy and the care given to every detail of the project, suggests a hypothetical zero emission trip with the new Baglietto yacht. At eeach stop-over of the travel is it possible to see how the vessel recovers energy, so that its cruising is completely sea-friendly, safeguarding environment and the sea.
The final results shows the success of what once was just an ambitious project, and now in fact became a reached goal.

Tempco firmly believes that the future of mobility and sustainable transports relies on the correct employ of hydrogen and CO2. Using new sophisticated technologies, thanks to these sources, once considered just as production waste, it’s possible to completely change the point of view and look at the new opportunities that innovative technologies unfold for the mobility of the future.

Starting with quietly sailing in the blueness with Baglietto.

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Turn-key thermal systems in precious metals furnaces

07/04/2023

For a main manufacturer of furnaces for precious metals, that provides innovative and sustainable solutions for the precious metals industry, casting, melting and separation with automation and control of every production step, Tempco develops turn-key thermal systems designed upon the specific technical requirements of the customer.

These are in particular systems in which we have a consolidated know how and expertise, coming from the carbon ceramic fibers sector. The thermal systems we develop for applications in precious metals furnaces are therefore equipped with redundant pumps, emergency water supply systems, management and control via PLC and remote assistance.

Tempco sistemi termici fornaci metalli preziosi

Tempco sistemi termici fornaci settore metalli preziosi

Overall, the systems are integrated and engineering following Tempco’s SCF – Standard Custom Flexibility principles.

Tempco sistemi termici chiavi in mano fornaci metalli preziosi

Tempco sistemi termici fornaci industria metalli preziosi

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Questions are NEVER silly, on the contrary…

31/03/2023

Very often customers in Tempco have something to ask, and start saying ‘I have a question, but it might be silly… I’m not sure if I can ask you this question, but…’

Well, questions are NEVER silly, irrelevant or useless. On the contrary, questions are very useful in order to better identify the kind of thermal energy management problem we need to solve for the customer. It happens to all of us, when we’re not skilled into a certain domain, and we can speak with an expert in that field we will likely ask something that to him could be taken for granted, or the answer to our question is something that he could be taking for granted. But clearly if we don’t know anything about that topic, we need informations to understand or try to understand it at our best, and by the way giving him some informations that can help him solve our own problem.

That is exactly what happens in Tempco with our customers, when they present us a problem involving cooling, heating or thermoregulation within their production process. Especially while meeting new customers, we do a very in depth interrogatory, asking really a lot of informations, some even redundant. But this is crucial in order to cross all of the data to have double check and validations, being able to clearly understand the terms of his thermal energy management problem. Which is, for example, how much is the amount of thermal energy to dissipate, the temperature level he wants to achieve or which are the production goals he is set to.

Questions are thus NEVER silly, on the contrary they are very useful. Better then to flush a little at the beginning, than to fade later!