Description

Water-cooled condensing units for refrigeration installations without heat rejection to the outside

Water-Cooled Condensing Units reject condenser heat using water instead of air, making them ideal for indoor installations where it is not possible or not desirable to reject heat outside: premises without outdoor ventilation, basement installations, premises with very strict noise regulations or installations where recovering the rejected heat has energy value. The condensing water can come from the mains, from a recirculation circuit with a cooling tower or from a heat recovery system.

Technical specifications

  • Water-cooled condenser: plate or tube heat exchanger depending on model and capacity
  • No fans: silent operation with no heat rejection to the air
  • Compatible with R-404A, R-448A, R-449A and A2L refrigerants depending on model
  • Built-in electrical panel with protection and control module
  • Thermostatic water valve included to regulate condensing water flow
  • Low temperature (LT) and medium temperature (MT) versions
  • Can be integrated with a heat recovery circuit

Advantages

✔ Completely silent operation: no condenser fans
✔ Indoor installation without hot air exhaust ducts
✔ Compatible with heat recovery: rejected heat can be used for domestic hot water or heating
✔ High efficiency in high ambient temperatures (water temperature is more stable)
✔ Condenser performance not limited by outdoor ambient temperature
✔ Compact solution for premises where outdoor equipment cannot be installed

Applications

Refrigeration installations in premises without outdoor access; basements and premises in mixed-use buildings; installations with very strict noise regulations; projects with heat recovery systems for domestic hot water or heating; installations in areas with high ambient temperatures where air cooling penalises performance; any installation with a source of condensing water at a controlled temperature.

Standards and compliance

Water-cooled condensing units comply with the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. In installations connected to water circuits, Spanish Royal Decree 865/2003 on the prevention of legionellosis must be complied with when the circuit includes cooling towers. Refrigerants are regulated by the F-Gas Regulation (EU) 517/2014.

FAQs

How much water does a water-cooled condensing unit use?

Water consumption depends on the unit’s capacity and the inlet water temperature. As a guide, a unit with 5 kW of condensing capacity may use between 1 and 2 litres per minute with water at 15-20 °C. In recirculation systems with a cooling tower, actual consumption is drastically reduced (only evaporated water is replaced). In once-through mains water installations, consumption can be significant: we recommend comparing the cost of water with the alternatives.

Do I need a cooling tower to use a water-cooled condensing unit?

Not necessarily. Water-cooled condensing units can be connected to mains water (with a regulating valve), to a well or irrigation channel circuit (where available and permitted), or to a closed circuit with a cooling tower or water chiller. The best solution depends on the availability and cost of water at your installation. For medium and large capacities, a closed circuit with a tower is usually the most efficient and economical long-term solution.