Chiller Plumbing

builderguy · 12/18/2007, 06:27 PM

How is everyone plumbing their inline chillers. I just realized I don't have nearly enough flow through mine. I have my return line split delivering flow to my 1/4 hp inline chiller on a gate valve, approx 100 gph then back to the sump...the rest of the flow, approx 900gph goes back to the tank.

I just read that my chiller should have a minimum of 500gph flow...that will wipe out the amount being returned to the tank. Should I run ALL of the return through the chiller...not sure how much head that will cost me...or get a seperate pump...maybe a Mag 9 to send water from the sump to the chiller?

Any suggestions?

Jefe12234 · 12/18/2007, 07:52 PM

I run my return pump through my chiller and don't see any reason to do otherwise. The chiller will perform better when it gets the proper flow rate, and additional pumps are just wasteful. Do keep in mind the maximum flow rate of your chiller; you don't want to blow apart any fittings. Ideally your return pump would be sized to provide a flow rate somewhere between the minimum and maximum values for your chiller after head loss.

12/18/2007, 06:27 PM	#1
builderguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: North Natomas, CA Posts: 1,470	Chiller Plumbing How is everyone plumbing their inline chillers. I just realized I don't have nearly enough flow through mine. I have my return line split delivering flow to my 1/4 hp inline chiller on a gate valve, approx 100 gph then back to the sump...the rest of the flow, approx 900gph goes back to the tank. I just read that my chiller should have a minimum of 500gph flow...that will wipe out the amount being returned to the tank. Should I run ALL of the return through the chiller...not sure how much head that will cost me...or get a seperate pump...maybe a Mag 9 to send water from the sump to the chiller? Any suggestions?

12/18/2007, 07:52 PM	#2
Jefe12234 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: MN Posts: 885	I run my return pump through my chiller and don't see any reason to do otherwise. The chiller will perform better when it gets the proper flow rate, and additional pumps are just wasteful. Do keep in mind the maximum flow rate of your chiller; you don't want to blow apart any fittings. Ideally your return pump would be sized to provide a flow rate somewhere between the minimum and maximum values for your chiller after head loss. __________________ Serenity now!!!