NuTemp’s Louisiana office received a call from an ammonia producer in the Gulf area. John Britz, Regional Manager, performed a jobsite survey. The plant stored large quantities of ammonia in tanks, for use in its production process. The stored ammonia had to be kept at a temperature at or below -28°F to keep pressures at acceptable levels. The plant’s main refrigeration system, used for various processes and to keep the ammonia cool, had been shutdown due to downsizing. Once the main refrigeration system was shutdown, the ammonia temperature in the tank rose and pressures became too high. In order to keep the ammonia pressure within acceptable levels, the plant had to send the ammonia to flare. The monthly value of the wasted ammonia was $100,000.00. The very visible flare was also not desirable for the plant officials.

John Britz, along with Dave Robertson, NuTemp’s Vice President of Engineering, went to work designing a specialized ammonia refrigeration system. Since NuTemp’s standard line of rental cooling systems could not perform the ammonia cooling application, a special system had to be engineered. The final solution was a 500HP, evaporative condenser, rotary screw compression system. The ammonia vapor was taken directly from the customer’s storage tank, compressed, and then cooled to -28°F. A recovery tank with pumps then returned the liquid ammonia to the storage tank.

The plant realized enormous savings by not having to send their ammonia to flare. The flare, acting as a beacon to the general public and EPA officials, was tuned off.

NuTemp thrives on providing specialized rental solutions to complex refrigeration challenges.