When finishing for the holiday season, or taking systems down
for a period where they are not required, it is good to give the system a clean
and shut it down properly. This will make it easier to start up your system
again.
To shut down your chiller, follow these five simple steps:
- Drain chiller and application - Draining fluids can be a messy process - have gloves and paper towel to hand
- Flush and Clean - Flush and clean the chiller with cleaner (check with manufacturer for appropriate cleaners)
- Flush with fresh water - Flush with fresh water, drain and leave to dry, or add a small amount of antifreeze and inhibitor
- Enjoy the Holidays - Put your feet up with a cuppa and enjoy the break!
- Consider A Service and maintenance plan - In the new year, call ATC to discuss service and maintenance plans for your chiller.
Before beginning, check the fluid used in the system, and ensure
that any cleaning products used will not cause any damage to your application. The
manufacturer will be able to provide guidance. Draining fluids can be a messy
process so it is a good idea to have gloves and a roll of paper towel on hand
for any spillages.
Once drained, a cycle with a good cleaner will remove any debris
or scale build-up, prolonging the life of the unit, and its filters. A good
cleaner will also kill off any lingering organisms that may have escaped normal
biocide.
Following cleaning, the chiller should be thoroughly with
fresh water to ensure that no remnants of cleaner are left behind. The system
can then be left to drain and dry out prior to being put into storage. It is
also possible for a small amount of antifreeze with added inhibitor can be left
in the chiller tank to keep the system wet with reduced risk of biological
growth.
IMPORTANT
Do not turn off the chiller prior to shutting down the
application, this can be detrimental to application health.
