Question

In an automatically operated, flooded shell-and-tube cooler, an electric float switch is used primarily to____________.

1) control the flow of brine into the tubes
2) control the flow of refrigerant into the shell
3) purge the oil from the cooler
4) purge non-condensable gas from the cooler

Answer 1

An electric float switch in a shell-and-tube cooler is mainly used to control the refrigerant flow into the shell, essential for maintaining the right refrigerant level and efficient operation.

Step-by-step explanation:

In an automatically operated, flooded shell-and-tube cooler, an electric float switch is primarily used to control the flow of refrigerant into the shell. The role of the float switch in this type of system is to maintain the proper level of refrigerant, ensuring efficient operation and preventing issues such as over-flooding or insufficient cooling. This mechanism plays a critical role in managing the phase transition of the refrigerant, from gas to liquid, enabling the heat transfer process that is fundamental to the cooling cycle.