Polaris Precision-Engineered HVAC Heat Exchanger

Nowhere is technological leadership from Polaris better expressed than in the heating/ventilating/air conditioning (HVAC) field. With engineering and manufacturing backed up by unsurpassed field experience, Polaris units in HVAC heat exchanger applications meet your most demanding requirements.

“Free Cooling” (Chiller bypass)

Building management often requires year-round cooling to handle heat from computers, lights and other building sources. Polaris Plate Heat Exchangers take advantage of the free cooling or chiller bypass concept to reduce hours of mechanical chiller operation. With ambient temperatures at or below 50F, tower flow can be diverted to the Polaris heat exchanger and the chiller turned off, achieving substantial operating savings.

In typical free cooling installations, retrofit is easy. Systems require no extra ductwork as is needed with air-side economizers and the payback period is less than two years. Chiller bypass extends chiller life, and Polaris PHEs’ close approach temperatures allow more operating hours than are possible with other types.

Pressure interceptor (static head isolation)

In tall buildings, static head pressure can be a problem. Pressure interceptor systems provide excellent static head isolation. If separate loops at terminal units are employed, install a Polaris plate heat exchanger to isolate the chiller or boiler from the system’s high pressure. Pressure interceptor arrangements permit the use of substantially less expensive low-pressure pumps, valves, and other components.

Cooling tower isolation with HVAC heat exchanger

It’s common for cooling tower water to be contaminated with solids and atmospheric debris. Foul water pumped through expensive chillers or heat pumps may damage them. Using Polaris PHEs to achieve cooling tower isolation avoids costly maintenance and component replacement.

Thermal storage

Thermal storage systems maximize economy by operating refrigeration equipment in low-demand hours, chilling liquid in thermal storage tanks to provide cooling during peak demand periods. Building in a Polaris PHE to support the thermal storage system makes it possible to separate glycol brine from storage water and increase system efficiency.

Waste heat recovery from boiler blowdown and condensate

Boiler blowdown, a major source of waste heat recovery, makes many systems more economical.Increase your savings by using Polaris PHEs to preheat incoming boiler feed water. Returning condensate in these waste heat recovery systems is cooled so it won’t flash when drained to atmospheric pressure.

Geothermal heating

While geothermal energy sources can save a lot of money, the water containing the heat is usually dirty and corrosive. Low fouling tendencies make Polaris PHEs (with properly specified plate material) the ideal equipment for isolating geothermal water from the building loop.

Water-source heat pumps

Where heat pumps rely on a water source loop instead of outside air, Polaris PHEs can improve system the efficiency and sanitation. Open cooling towers served by plate heat exchangers replace less efficient, more costly closed-circuit coolers. And where the system employs well or river water, the PHE isolates the system using water-source heat pumps from possible contamination.

Waste heat recovery from condenser water

Water directed from a chiller condenser to a cooling tower is often hot enough to preheat water – if a Polaris plate heat exchanger is installed on the line. It’s an excellent way to recover waste heat from condenser water. Many users employ this method to inexpensively heat swimming pools.