In today’s video blog, I share a product update with you regarding our external filter bags and drum covers. The change has several significant benefits for performance. Take a minute to watch the video and find out more.
As always, if you have any questions, please contact us today.
Brian Farno, MBA – CCASS Application Engineer
BrianFarno@EXAIR.com
@EXAIR_BF
At EXAIR we are confident in the many benefits and advantages of our products. We are aware that they are not the only possible solution. In such instances, it is always good to compare the differences between the relevant options, to make sure you are getting exactly what you need. In this blog, I am going to compare two different panel cooling solutions: our Cabinet Coolers and air-air heat exchangers.
An air-to-air heat exchanger does its job by swapping heat between the air inside the enclosure and the outside ambient air. For these systems to work well, there has to be a temperature difference between the two air volumes. A closed-loop system keeps exchanging heat to maintain a specific internal temperature. Most air-to-air units use a heat pipe for heat exchange, which is a device that transfers heat by turning a refrigerant liquid into vapor when one end of the pipe is in a hot area. The heated vapor then moves to the other end of the pipe, where it’s cooler. There, the vapor condenses back into a liquid (releasing latent heat) and heads back to the hot end of the pipe, repeating the cycle.
So, how does our system stack up against the exchanger? First off, as we mentioned, the efficiency of a heat exchanger is closely linked to the temperature difference (ΔT) between the cabinet’s interior and the surrounding environment. The smaller the ΔT, the less effective the cooling becomes. If the temperature in your facility starts to climb, like during the summer, you could face more problems. You can boost cooling with bigger air-to-air heat exchangers, but they might end up being larger than the enclosure itself!
EXAIR Cabinet Coolers work based on the temperature difference (ΔT) between the cold air they generate (usually around 20°F) and the target internal temperature of the enclosure (typically 95°F). Changes in the surrounding temperature won’t impact the cold air produced by the Cabinet Cooler. With our systems, the cooling power is solely determined by the amount of compressed air supplied, which in turn affects the volume of cold air generated. This allows us to significantly boost the cooling capacity without increasing the overall size, which is already much smaller compared to an air-to-air unit. Plus, our systems can operate at ambient temperatures that exceed the desired internal temperature. Our High Temp models can handle environments up to 200°F, something that an air-to-air heat exchanger simply can’t do.
Secondly, dirt in the surrounding environment can affect the cooling efficiency of an air-to-air heat exchanger. For the air-to-air unit to effectively dissipate heat, the heat pipe needs to connect with the outside environment. This opens up the chance for the ambient end of the heat pipe to get covered in contaminants like dust. This dust acts as an insulation barrier between the heat pipe and the surrounding air, which reduces the heat pipe’s ability to condense the vapors inside. Because of this, most air-to-air systems utilize filters to keep the heat pipe separate from the ambient environment. However, when these filters get clogged, it limits access to ambient temperatures, which in turn decreases the cooling capacity of the air-to-air unit.
EXAIR’s NEMA 12 and NEMA 4/4X Cabinet Coolers are designed to be dust and oil-tight. Plus, since there are no moving parts that can wear out, and no need for direct contact with the ambient air for cooling, dirty environments are not an issue. As long as clean, moisture-free compressed air is provided (which can be ensured with a filter separator), EXAIR Cabinet Coolers can operate maintenance-free for many years.
Lastly, air-to-air heat exchangers can be quite large. These bulky systems can be a hassle when space is limited around the enclosure. Additionally, the time and modifications needed to install a large air-to-air unit can lead to further complications. As previously mentioned, EXAIR’s Cabinet Coolers have a small footprint that remains consistent regardless of cooling capacity, and the installation process is also very simple.
As you can see, there are many advantages to choosing an EXAIR Cabinet Cooler over an air-to-air heat exchanger. If you have any questions about how an EXAIR Cabinet Cooler can solve problems in your facility, feel free to give me a call!
Al Wooffitt
Application Engineer
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Twitter: @EXAIR_AW
In food manufacturing, process efficiency and cleanliness are absolutely critical. I recently worked with a customer in the food industry who processes and packages rice for large-scale distribution. Like many processors, they had an area of the facility dedicated to reclaiming excess or spilled product during transfer, but the method they were using was far from ideal.
For years, their team had been manually collecting the spilled rice from a transfer chute and returning it to a hopper using scoops and buckets. Not only was this time-consuming and labor-intensive, but it also posed potential contamination risks. Any time you’re dealing with open product and manual handling in a food facility, the door is open for quality issues.
The customer came to us looking for a more streamlined solution that could eliminate manual handling and improve process control. After evaluating the layout and requirements, we recommended our 2” Sanitary Flange Line Vac (Model 161200-316). Designed with Type 316 stainless steel sanitary flange connections, it was a perfect fit for their wash-down environment and met the necessary hygienic standards.
Once installed, the Line Vac was mounted to a short section of flexible tubing that connected directly to their recovery bin. It now continuously pulls excess rice from the catch tray beneath the transfer line and sends it directly back to the hopper.
The result? A safer, cleaner, and far more efficient process. What used to take one or two operators several hours throughout the shift is now handled automatically. It reduced labor costs, improved their ability to maintain a clean facility, and made the entire operation more consistent.
Whether you’re moving powders, granules, or in this case, rice, EXAIR’s Sanitary Flange Line Vac provides a reliable, easy-to-integrate conveying solution for food-grade applications. If you’re still using buckets and scoops to move product from Point A to Point B, it might be time to see what a little compressed air can do for your process.
EXAIR’s Sanitary Flange (and all other styles of Line Vac) are available to ship same-day from stock with an order received by 2:00 ET. They are backed by our unconditional 30-day guarantee. If your processes involve manual transfer of bulk materials, I would wholeheartedly encourage you to give one a try.
Tyler Daniel, CCASS
Application Engineer
E-mail: TylerDaniel@EXAIR.com
X: @EXAIR_TD
HazLoc Cabinet Cooler Systems are specifically designed and certified for use in purged electrical enclosures located in classified environments. These systems are approved for Class I Division I, Groups A, B, C, and D, as well as Class II Division I Groups E, F, and G, and Class III areas. EXAIR’s HazLoc Cabinet Cooler Systems have undergone rigorous testing by UL, ensuring compliance with the strict UL standards applicable to these environments.
Cabinet Cooler Systems offer an economical and dependable solution for cooling purged electric control panels in various environments. Utilizing Vortex Tube technology, these systems can generate up to 5,600 Btu/Hr without any moving parts, resulting in a low-maintenance option for cooling HazLoc purged cabinets.
EXAIR’s HazLoc Cabinet Cooler Systems distinguish themselves from competitors by receiving UL classification for Division I environments. These systems, which are thermostatically controlled for optimal efficiency, also feature UL-listed solenoids suitable for hazardous settings. Designed for quick installation on purged enclosures, EXAIR Cabinet Cooler Systems require minimal maintenance and are built to perform reliably in the most challenging industrial conditions.
EXAIR offers Hazardous Location Cabinet Cooler Systems in eight distinct cooling capacities, ranging from 1,000 Btu/Hr to 5,600 Btu/Hr. This variety enables you to select the optimal system tailored to your cooling requirements while minimizing compressed air waste. These Cabinet Cooler Systems effectively shield your electronic equipment from heat, dirt, and moisture, ensuring uninterrupted operation of your processes. They present a cost-effective alternative to cumbersome, high-maintenance coolant-based air conditioning systems and are designed for straightforward installation.
Components are prone to failure, sensors may provide inaccurate readings, controls can drift, and displays can become unreliable. EXAIR HazLoc Cabinet Coolers effectively address these issues, helping to maintain productivity and prevent costly shutdowns and the need for new components. If you have questions about HazLoc Cabinet Cooler Systems, or anything regarding EXAIR and our products, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Jason Kirby
Application Engineer
Email: jasonkirby@exair.com
Twitter: @EXAIR_jk
