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At Kryomatech, we like transparency. Nothing is more satisfying for us than a customer who understands the heart of what we do.
“…Why do we need to change this part? Is it necessary to do it now? What are the risks of incomplete maintenance?…”
All these little-talked-about issues are often unclear to our customers. And because we like our customers to fully understand what we do and why we do it, we’re sharing some of our refrigeration trade secrets here!
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Dehydrators
Essential components in climatic enclosure refrigeration circuits, dehydrators filter out impurities and absorb moisture from the refrigerant.
This prevents ice from forming on the expansion valve, blocking the flow of refrigerant.
By filtering out impurities, the dehydrator retains particles and residues that can damage the compressor or clog capillaries. Some dehumidifiers neutralize acids that may form when refrigerant or oil degrades.
A dehydrator should be replaced in the event of :
- Changing a refrigerant circuit component, such as a compressor, solenoid valve, condenser or any other part of the circuit.
- Detection of refrigerant leaks and circuit recharging.
- Corrosion: a corroded dehydrator may cause a leak. This is a recurrent problem with R23 and very low-temperature circuits.
To remember:
A clogged or saturated dehydrator can impair system operation by reducing refrigerant flow and increasing circuit pressure. Preventive maintenance is therefore essential.
Caution: As with any work on the refrigeration circuit, changing a dehydrator requires the intervention of a company with qualified personnel.
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Solenoid valves
There are two types of solenoid valve: those used for water (closed circuit or drain) and those used for refrigerants.
They play a crucial role in the refrigeration, humidification and dehumidification circuit of a climate chamber. They control the flow of fluids (refrigerant gas, water, steam) according to requirements.
Why change a solenoid valve?
- Dirt: impurities or deposits can block the internal mechanism of the solenoid valve, preventing it from operating properly.
- The solenoid coil driving the solenoid valve may burn out over time, often due to overvoltage or overheating.
- Internal seal wear : The internal seal can become damaged, causing leaks or poor fluid control.
- Mechanical blockage: A solenoid valve can remain blocked in either open or closed position, preventing the circuit from operating correctly.
- Preventive maintenance: Preventive maintenance enables small malfunctions to be identified and corrected quickly, before they cause major breakdowns. This reduces unplanned downtime and optimizes your equipment’s performance.
To remember:
Playing an active role in regulating climatic conditions, the refrigeration and humidification circuit solenoid valves are the most heavily used. Their service life depends on fluid quality, maintenance and the frequency of operating cycles.
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Temperature and humidity probes
Over time, temperature and humidity sensors become less accurate and need to be replaced periodically.
Prolonged and repeated exposure to extreme heat, cold and humidity alters their physical and chemical properties.
Fouling of sensors by dust, fine particles and chemical contaminants can accumulate on sensors and distort measurements.
Excessive humidity can lead to mould deposits and, when combined with chemical agents, to corrosion on the metal parts of the probes.
To remember:
It’s important to clean probes regularly, calibrate them periodically and replace them as soon as any drift or instability in measurements is detected. Proper maintenance will extend the life of your probes and guarantee accurate measurements over time.
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Heating resistors
Used to raise the temperature or generate humidity in the enclosure, resistors undergo “thermal fatigue” due to repeated heating and cooling cycles. Over time, heating resistors can burn out or lose efficiency.
When the temperature rises more slowly, or when it becomes difficult to maintain a set temperature, the heating resistor may need to be replaced.
Why change a resistor?
- Expansion and contraction of materials cause microcracks and internal fractures.
- Moisture in the enclosure can cause oxidation of the resistors , especially if they are not made of stainless steel or if they are damaged.
- In some applications, such as pharmaceuticals and food processing, chemicals can accelerate corrosion.
- The build-up of dust, limescale or organic residues can hinder and reduce heat transfer. The use of an osmosis unit is highly recommended to remove limescale.
- Incorrect temperature regulation or ventilation can lead to overheating and accelerated deterioration of the heating elements.
To remember:
Resistors have an average lifespan of between 5 and 7 years with proper maintenance. Stainless steel or high-quality alloy resistors with protective coatings last longer and are more resistant to oxidation and corrosion.
Preventive maintenance and regular cleaning are therefore highly recommended to prolong the life of your heating elements. However, periodic replacement remains unavoidable to ensure optimum performance of your equipment.
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Compressors
A key component of the refrigeration system, it is under constant stress and can break down after several years of intensive use.
Are you experiencing any of the following problems? There’s a good chance your compressor is to blame!
- The oven no longer reaches its setpoint temperature despite a good level of refrigerant?
- Abnormal noises: rattling or excessive vibrations
- Compressor trips frequently due to overheating
- Is your power consumption increasing significantly? Your compressor motor is probably at the end of its life.
- Pressure test reveals inefficient refrigeration cycle
Why change a compressor?
A compressor uses an electric motor coupled to a system of pistons, coils or screws. These different systems wear out over time.
- Frequent start-up and shut-down cycles lead to “fatigue” of internal parts such as bearings, plugs and valves.
- The compressor is lubricated by a special oil that wears out and can degrade: oil pollution by moisture or acid formation.
- Incorrect oil return, caused by faulty design or unsuitable cycles, can lead to premature wear.
- A poorly ventilated compressor, or one operating at prolonged overload, can overheat and damage its electrical winding.
- Electrical surges or fluctuations can damage motor windings.
- Incorrect refrigerant charging can cause abnormal operation and accelerate compressor wear.
- Moisture in the refrigerant circuit can form acids and attack the compressor’s internal components.
- A refrigerant leak can lead to idling, resulting in overheating and rapid breakdown.
To remember:
Repairing a compressor is difficult, costly and without any guarantee of results. That’s why we recommend replacing defective compressors rather than repairing them.
As you can see, the compressor is a central component of test chambers. Many factors influence the longevity of compressors. With proper use and maintenance, compressors have a service life of between 5 and 7 years.
Take care! Failure to replace a malfunctioning compressor may result in additional repair or replacement costs for other components, while posing significant safety risks.
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Fans
Fans play an essential role in the operation of an enclosure. They ensure temperature and humidity homogeneity within the chamber, enabling reliable, representative test conditions. As with any component used intensively in test chambers, fans can become clogged or mechanically worn.
Why change a fan?
- Mechanical wear: bearings are subject to wear due to intensive operating cycles. Advanced wear can lead to vibration, noise or even total fan failure.
- Fouling: dust, fine particles and contaminants can accumulate on the motor blades, reducing ventilation efficiency.
- Electrical problems: malfunctions in the electric motor or power supplies can affect fan performance.
To remember:
A periodic inspection will detect the first signs of wear or clogging. A preventive replacement can be scheduled at the same time to prevent breakdowns. So remember to clean your fans regularly, and check their vibration, noise level and ability to maintain good air circulation.
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As you can see, some parts are more sensitive to wear, oxidation and corrosion than others. It’s essential to change the right parts at the right time.
We can’t stress this enough: rigorous, regular maintenance of your climatic chambers is the best way to prevent costly breakdowns and guarantee reliable testing. We can help!
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Come and see our spare parts store!
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