The Hot Summer Days and the Challenges for Older Refrigeration Systems
Rising temperatures in recent years have caused performance issues for many older refrigeration systems. Originally, many systems were designed for a maximum outdoor temperature of +32 °C. Today’s heat records of up to 40 °C overload these systems, as the air coolers or cooling towers can no longer dissipate heat effectively.
This leads to a pressure increase on the high-pressure side. The electric motors of the compressors are often not powerful enough to withstand the higher pressure, causing overcurrent protection switches to trip and the system to fail.
Many operators try to improve performance with temporary solutions, such as moistening the air cooler fins. Caution is advised: only light moistening is effective, as too much water can block airflow. Additionally, the water used should be softened to prevent lime deposits and damage to the fins.
To avoid failures and costly repairs, it is recommended to have refrigeration systems inspected and updated by a specialist during the cooler seasons. This conserves personnel and resources while keeping the system reliably efficient.
