Falling Film Chiller Model Range

It is the tank volume in gallons, so a 365 FFC holds 365 gallons of chilled water. The number tells you nothing about cooling capacity, which comes from the plate format and plate count. Two units with similar tank numbers can therefore differ widely in tonnage.

The middle figure is the amount of evaporator plates and the last part is the plate format. FFC-8-4x8 is eight plates in the four by eight format, with no sump. Read that way, the code gives a direct sense of capacity, unlike the tank-based names on tanked units.

Tank size and cabinet height. The 165 FFC and 173 FFC share a 68.5 inch length and a 77.75 inch height, while the 365 FFC keeps the footprint but rises to 99.25 inches to hold the larger tank. Plate count range and capacity are the same across all three.

Measure the cabinet length. A 44.5 inch cabinet is the 3x3 format, 68.5 inches points to 3x5, and 104.5 inches points to 4x8. Width and height then narrow it to a single model within that format. Count the evaporator plates as well, since that fixes the capacity.

Water connections run in 2, 4 and 6 inch sizes, either tri-clamp for sanitary piping or pipe thread for utility work. Which size and style a cabinet carries depends on the model and how it was ordered, so check the unit itself rather than assuming. When you replace or relocate a unit, note the size and style of each connection so the new piping lines up without adapters.

Plain water cannot safely leave below 34°F, because it would begin to freeze on the plate. Below that a glycol solution is needed, and the chiller is then set up for glycol duty. Tell us the lowest temperature the process actually requires before deciding, since many duties that ask for colder are well served at 34°F.