To obtain long term system life, it is important to keep contaminants to a minimum. This is particularly true of a heavy duty application such as a heat pump. Therefore, all heat pumps should have at least one filter-drier. Two standard driers are preferred, but where this creates a piping problem, then a single reversing filter-drier provides adequate protection. In this blog we cover the benefits of applying filter-driers on heat pump systems and tips for any problems that may occur. 

OEMs may prefer using two standard driers rather than a single reversible drier. This has several advantages – more desiccant in the system, less complicated drier parts, and lower cost. Field service people should follow the recommendations of the OEM. The use of two standard driers gives protection equal to, or greater than, the use of a single reversible filter-drier, see Figure 1.

Standard driers are often installed directly ahead of the expansion device – one in the outdoor section and one in the indoor section. Another common design is to locate both driers in the outdoor section, where they are easier to service. In this design one drier is ahead of the expansion device, and the other drier is ahead of the check valve. When installed in these locations, the flow through each drier is always in the same direction, see Figure 2. Standard filter-driers will not tolerate flow in the reverse direction. Reverse flow washes out the dirt previously collected, and also tends to result in high pressure drop.

When servicing units in the field, it is advisable to replace the original filter-drier with the next larger size, or the size recommended by the unit manufacturer. Where other information is lacking, the Parker Sporlan C-080 Series Catch-Alls are recommended for use on heat pumps up through 2 tons R-410A; the C-160 Series Catch-Alls are recommended for 2 through 5 tons R-410A; and the C-300 Series Catch-Alls are recommended for systems of 5 to 10 tons R-410A. When replacing the original driers on a unit, standard filter-driers are preferred. If the original unit does not have a drier, a reversible HPC-160-HH style drier is recommended.

The simplest way to install a drier on a heat pump system is to use a Parker Sporlan Reversible Filter-Drier. For most A/C systems select an HPC-160-HH Series Catch-All with the appropriate fitting size. This reversible filter-drier series is suitable for heat pump systems up through 5 tons R-410A capacity. These driers are installed in the reversing liquid line that runs between the indoor and outdoor section. Reversible driers should never be installed in the reversing gas line that runs between the indoor coil and the 4-Way valve, or the reversing gas line that runs between the outdoor coil and the 4-Way valve. Installation in this location will not give protection to the close tolerance parts of the system, and may result in excessive pressure drop. If the reversible drier is used on a highly contaminated system, such as after a hermetic motor burnout, it is essential that the old filter-driers be removed, see Figures 3 and 4.

In the past, Parker Sporlan offered several other types of reversible driers. These included the HCG-030 Series, HPCG-030 Series, and the HPC-080 Series. The HPC-160-HH Series are the proper replacements for any of these obsolete types.

Some heat pumps have only one expansion device – a bi-directional thermostatic expansion valve, or special short-tube flow restrictor. These systems are properly protected using a reversible filter-drier in the line between the expansion device and the outdoor coil. In this location the drier receives solid liquid on the cooling cycle, and a mixture of liquid and vapor on the heating cycle. Under these conditions, the Parker Sporlan HPC-160-HH Series Catch-Alls are suitable for use up through 5 tons capacity.

Typical recommendations for clean-up after a hermetic motor burnout are as follows:

1. Install the same size drier (or an oversized drier) in the liquid line ahead of each expansion device, and a drier in the common suction line. In units with two liquid line driers, both should be changed.
2. Install an oversized drier in the common liquid line and, if possible, a drier in the common suction line. Run the unit in one mode of operation for a day. Then replace the liquid line drier with a reversible filter-drier.
3. Install a reversible filter-drier in the common liquid line. If possible, install a drier in the common suction line.

A filter-drier should be installed in the suction line to clean up a heat pump after severe hermetic motor burnout. First, make sure the burnout is “severe” by testing the acidity of the oil from the burned out compressor using the Parker Sporlan TA-1 Acid Test Kit. If the burnout is severe, install a standard “HH” Catch-All in the common suction line. This drier can be installed either before or after the accumulator, but always between the 4-Way valve and the compressor. If some contaminants have remained in the accumulator, then the preferred location is between the accumulator and the compressor. This is usually a crowded location on the unit, and installing the drier may be difficult. In some cases, it may be necessary to re-pipe the suction line so the drier is located outside the cabinet.

Follow the unit manufacturer’s size recommendations if possible. Where this information is not available, use C-140-S-TT-HH Series Catch-Alls in systems up to 5 tons. Select a C-4300-S-T-HH Series Catch-All for units in the range of 5 to 10 tons. The exact model should be selected according to capacities and line size, consult Parker Sporlan Bulletin 40-10.

Most heat pumps are compact, unitary systems, with cramped piping, making it difficult to replace or install filter-driers. Here are some suggestions to solve these practical problems.

1. The reversible filter-drier is usually the simplest to install because it can be installed anywhere in the reversing liquid line leading from the outdoor section to the indoor section. Even when using the reversible filter-drier, it is important to remove any old filter-driers installed on the unit, since they may be plugged if the unit is severely contaminated. If it is not possible to replace the previous filter-driers directly, the best alternative is to remove them. Reattach the line at the drier location, and use a reversible filter-drier to protect the system in the future. The old driers must be removed; they may be severely plugged.
2. The HPC-160-HH Series Catch-Alls are recommended for most field applications requiring a reversible filter-drier. The smaller HPC-100 Series is used by OEMs and can be used on new field built systems. The HPC-100 Series is 1.0” shorter than the HPC-160-HH Series. This difference may make the HPC-100 Series more desirable on systems with cramped piping.
3. The installation of two standard driers is usually easier if both are installed in the outdoor section. One drier is installed directly ahead of the expansion valve in the out-door coil, and the other drier is installed directly ahead of the check valve that leads to the expansion valve on the indoor coil. Each of these locations has refrigerant flow in only one direction at all times. If there is not sufficient space for two standard driers on a particular unit, perhaps satisfactory contaminant protection can be obtained by using only one drier. When there is no room inside the cabinet to install or replace the drier, the serviceman has no choice but to mount the drier outside the cabinet, and do the necessary re-piping.
4. The suction line connection on the 4-Way valve is usually the middle connection, of the three connections on one side. The single connection on the opposite side of the valve is the discharge line connection.
5. Whenever a drier is added to the liquid line of a system that did not originally have a drier, additional refrigerant charge should be added to the unit to fill the interior space of the drier. No additional charge is necessary for a drier installed in the suction line.

Reversible Heat Pump Catch-Alls are designed for installation in the reversing liquid line. The smaller HPC-100 Series, using the standard Catch-All core, is designed specifically for new installations and for use on OEM equipment. The HPC-160-HH Series uses a larger core which includes activated charcoal for maximum performance in removing all types of contaminants generated from a hermetic motor burnout. Both filter-driers consist of one core in a shell with a check valve at either end. The check valves control the flow so the filtration occurs on the outside of the core, regardless of the flow direction.

The reliability of the check valves used in these filter-driers have passed the most rigid OEM testing – no synthetic materials are used. The check valves have been thoroughly proven in actual field performance over a period of many years. They function well, even in the presence of solid contaminants.

For more information on sizing filter-driers in heat pump systems please see Parker Sporlan Bulletin 40-10. For various HVAC and Refrigeration product information visit www.Parker.com/Sporlan. 

Article contributed by Glen Steinkoenig, product manager, Contaminant Controls, Sporlan Division of Parker Hannifin.

Additional resources for you:

HVACR Tech Tip: Understanding Heat Pump Systems and Thermostatic Expansion Valves

HVACR Tech Tip: When Should a Catch-All Filter-Drier be Changed?

Use of Suction Line Filter-Driers for HVAC Clean-up After Burnout

HVACR Tech Tip: What You Need to Know About Flooded Head Pressure Control

Drinking water is one of the most controlled food products. The materials of products in contact with drinking water can generate impurities and microbial growth. This makes a significant health risk as well as a danger to the environment.

Non harmonised regulation at the European and global level is leading to technical and normative constraints for the development of drinking water circuits. In Europe, the approval procedures for these applications are mainly regulated at national level. Approvals are granted by institutes mandated to carry out tests and issue certificates.

Today, 80 percent of the issued certificates correspond to the valves and pumps and 20 percent to the other equipment of a circuit such as fittings, filters, flow meters, meters etc.

All materials in contact with drinking water must guarantee their sanitary safety for:

• Plastic materials (elastomers, thermoplastics or thermosetting)

• Lubricants and additives;

• Metallic materials;

• Mineral materials (i.e. glasses and ceramics)

Certificates must be established for normal product use, while considering the risks related to the application such as peaks in temperature, pressure or chemical aggression. The innovation and technical expertise of the manufacturer are key to meet the multiplicity of European requirements.

The KTW - W270 certification means that product components in contact with drinking water have been tested and approved by German laboratories (TZW and DVGW) according to the recommendations of the UBA (Umwelt Bundesamt). The specificity of this approval is to be one of the most restrictive in terms of lubricants composition restriction.

KTW and W270 are the most recognized requirements for German manufacturers in the water and beverages sector. Because of the representativeness of Germany in the European economy, these certifications become essential.

The LIQUIfit® fittings and tubes range from the Parker Hannifin LPCE division has been awarded KTW certification. With more than eight different certifications, this range now meets the most stringent requirements for drinking water and beverages worldwide.

The LIQUIfit® solution is the innovative solution of this sector. It is eco-designed from bio sourced material and offers unsurpassed compactness. LIQUIfit® is manufactured via a secure process offering traceability on each product and a unitary leak test. These unique features make it safe to operate and optimize use.

"It was important for us to offer manufacturers in the fields of drinking water and beverages, a new technology with the widest range of certifications for the peace of mind of our customers." 

Chantal Beckensteiner, general manager, Low Pressure Connectors Europe Division

In addition, the range of LIQUIfit® fittings and tubes offers the widest mechanical performance with a pressure rating of 16bar and a temperature range of -10 ° C to 120 ° C.

"The worldwide Parker Group invests heavily in the water market. With the KTW certification of LIQUIfit® we now offer all European drinking water stakeholders a simple product to install with a wide range of performance in temperature and pressure."

Laurent Pouchard responsible for the OEM Business Unit of the LPCE divisions.

To conclude, the manufacturers of the drinking water and beverage industry want to ensure the health of people while optimizing their technical solutions and their manufacturing processes. Obtaining certifications is the guarantee to meet its requirements while allowing innovation to redefine technical solutions. LIQUIfit® is a new technology in this market and gives access to other markets such as process water transfer in liquid cooling systems.

For more information and to configure your product you can consult our Parker website or download our certificates KTW-W270 Fittings/KTW-W270 tubing

This article was contributed by Vivien Rialland, product manager, BU Industrial & Processing OEM, and Laurent Orcibal, e-Business Manager, E-business, Parker Hannifin's Low Pressure Connectors Europe Division.

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Work can be tough, dirty and unforgiving. The last thing you need is for the machine to fail in the midst of a job. Machine failure leads to unscheduled maintenance and an increased amount of time in the field. To prevent this costly downtime, it is essential that fluids are routinely checked and replaced, namely transmission fluid.

Transmission fluid is the lifeblood of a hydraulic system. Without transmission fluid, hydraulic pumps and motors cannot perform the powerful tasks that are required for many different applications. Unfortunately, most hydraulic fluids are merely repackaged mineral oils with contaminants that reduce oil lubricity, high amounts of sulfur that accelerate corrosion and unstable chemistries that lead to phase separation and “gunked-up” gears. Coupled with a 500-hour maximum life, the current market of transmission fluids provides hassle, downtime and uncertainty.

To combat this mediocrity, Parker Hannifin’s Pump Motor Division has developed HT-1000, an engineered oil, molecularly homogenized transmission fluid with the highest starting lubricity, longest life and highest cleanliness standard on the market.

HT-1000 was developed by Parker engineers in partnership with the world’s best formulators over 18 months. The oil combines the best, state-of-the-art “know-how.” Starting with the highest quality, lowest contaminant Group II base oil, HT-1000 is formulated to unmatched molecular homogeneity and packaged to the most uncompromising cleanliness standard. Each transmission developed and built by Parker is tested and shipped with HT-1000 to promote longevity and efficiency.

"The brief going into this project was to create the best hydraulic fluid, ensure the lowest cost, maintain Parker hydraulics and spare no cost or effort in the process. We were clear from the start that we needed to engineer what was missing in the industry, if the laws of science allowed it. If we couldn't leap frog the competition, we weren’t interested. Parker formulated fluids are engineered to deliver best performance and longest maintenance intervals."

Jason Richardson, lead engineer on the HT-1000 project, Parker Hannifin Corporation

HT-1000 is available for purchase online in 1-quart bottles, 1-gallon jugs, 5-gallon buckets and 55-gallon drums. HT-1000 is also available in 325-gallon bulk totes and 5000-gallon tankers by special request.

The Pump and Motor Division is a market leader in gear pump and low speed-high torque gerotor motors that continues to blaze the trail with the development of new technologies while maintaining the high level of service synonymous to Parker. Between its two locations in North Carolina and Tennessee, the division employs decades of industry experience to better serve you and your application.

Article contributed by C.T. Lefler, Marketing product manager, Parker Hannifin Corporation.

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Did you know that up to 80% of conductive coating failures can be directly attributed to inadequate surface preparation? Not properly preparing your surfaces for spraying or adherence is almost certainly the best way to set yourself up for failure. And on top of that, many different surfaces require vastly different preparations – it’s hard to keep up with which goes with which!

Conductive paints such as the new PRO-SHIELD family are generally comprised of micron sized metal particles of nickel, copper, silver plated copper or silver blended into water or solvent based paint system. Similar to selective plating processes, a masking fixture is used to control the location of the conductive paint that is sprayed onto the required areas of the part. The fully cured conductive paint thickness ranges from 0.0005” (0.0125 mm) to 0.002” (0.05 mm) depending on the paint type and EMI shielding requirement.

The paint can be applied in a manual paint booth where an operator applies the paint with a paint gun or with a paint robot. The automated process offers advantages over manual spray methods, especially in higher volume applications where cost is of most importance. With the automated process, the spray pattern can be programmed to apply the optimal amount of conductive paint across the entire shielded surface. Manual paint application typically has lower set-up cost than automated painting and is a good match with lower volume applications or for qualification testing and prototyping.

The Parker Chomerics' PRO-SHIELD conductive paints and coatings surface preparation guide will help you determine the best surface preparation guidelines for your conductive paints, adhesives, and inks, including our new PRO-SHIELD family of conductive paints and coatings. From Acrylic to zinc and any surface in between, our guide to conductive paint surface preparation covers it all.

Did you know the best way to properly prepare a copper surface for a silicone adhesive is to first clean with methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), followed by toluene? Be sure to let the surface air dry, then roughen the surface with 220 grit sandpaper and apply any commercially available silicone primer. Now you’re all set to add your silicone conductive coating or adhesive.

Be sure to check out our PRO-SHIELD Guide for Preparing Surfaces for Conductive Paints and Coatings for more information.

This blog was contributed by Jarrod Cohen, marketing communications manager, Parker Chomerics Division.

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