ICESR 09-28-2004 INFORMATION - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

2004: Condenser For Olympic Ice Plant: Estimated cost: $30,500 The Condenser is part of the ice plant that cools high-pressure gas into ahigh-pressure liquid. This liquid is then used in the pumping process that carries the refrigerant out to the rink. The gas is cooled by fans blowing air across the tubes or by a water pump that pumps water over the pipes to cool the high-pressure gas. Sometimes the fans and the water will work together to condense the high-pressure gas into a liquid. When we purchased the ice plant, the Condenser had heavy amounts of scale around the cooling pipes, caused from non-treated water being used to cool the pipes. Soon after the Arena was in operation, we treated the condenser to help reduce the amount of scale built up on the pipes. Over the last few years we have intensified the treatment with some success, however we have still been experiencing problems associated with the condenser being neglected when it was new. VJlien the outside temperature is below freezing the condenser should be able to cool the high-pressure gas with just the fans. However the condenser for the Olympic rink sometimes uses water even when the temperature is below freezing, which then freezes the belts on the pulleys. The motor for the fans then tries to turn the belts; the belts break because they are frozen to the pulleys, causing the high-pressure gas to rise to a pressure that then shuts down the compressors. To bring the ice plant back on line, the ice in the fans needs to be thawed out with a large torch so that the fans will tLU-n again and new belts have to be installed. The belts range from $30.00 - $45.00 a belt, and three belts are needed to operate the fans. So fax this season we have had to go through this process four times. 2004: Back Pressure Re6ulator: Estimated cost: $3 300 This project was scheduled for 2000, however due to the heat exchanger in the furnace going out to the Barn, the money was used on that project. The unit would allow more heat to enter the heat reclaimer on the compressors. This would be beneficial to melting the snow in the ice pit and to heat the sub floor in the rink. 2004: Re lace /Rebuild Ice Plants: Estimated cost: $3 500 There are several items on both ice plants that will need attention within the next few years. This is an opportune time to give attention to these items, as Mark from Commercial Refrigeration will be here to install the new floor in the Barn. Usually we would have to hire someone to complete some of the repair work. Since Mark will already be here, we will be able to make these repairs with Mark's assistance.