Heating & Cooling

Heating and cooling in an aquatic life support system uses heat exchangers, chillers, heat pumps and boilers to hold water temperature against the thermal load; in seawater service the wetted heat exchange surfaces must be titanium.

Equipment used

Plate and shell-and-tube heat exchangers transfer heat between system water and a building hot or chilled water loop. Chillers provide dedicated cooling where a building loop cannot. Heat pumps serve pools, water parks, and larger recreational volumes efficiently. In-line electric heaters handle small systems and supplemental duty.

Where it’s used

Tropical and cold-water exhibits. Quarantine, where temperature is often manipulated deliberately. Aquaculture, where growth rate and feed conversion are temperature dependent. Water parks and resort pools. Any outdoor system exposed to ambient swings.

Why specification matters

Material selection is critical in seawater and ozonated-water service. Standard stainless steels may be unsuitable in some applications, while titanium or other compatible materials may be required. Substituting a lower-cost material without reviewing the chemistry and duty can create expensive failures later.

Load is more than steady-state. Thermal load includes ambient losses, makeup water at supply temperature, evaporation, pump heat, and lighting. Outdoor and partially enclosed systems swing hard seasonally. A heat exchanger sized for average conditions will not hold temperature at the extremes, which is precisely when it matters.

Approach temperature drives the size. How closely system water can approach the source loop temperature determines required surface area. A tight approach means a larger, more expensive exchanger. This is a design decision with real cost consequences, and it belongs in the conversation early.

Temperature stability can matter more than setpoint. Some species tolerate a range but not rapid change. That is a controls question as much as an equipment question, sizing, staging, and control strategy together.

Fouling reduces capacity. Biofilm and scale degrade transfer over time. Plate exchangers need access for cleaning, and that access has to exist in the room as built.

How SIVAT helps

We review thermal load against the equipment specified, confirm materials suit the water chemistry, and check that maintenance access exists. We price exchangers, chillers, heat pumps, and the valves and instrumentation that control them.

Where a schedule specifies stainless plates on a seawater system, we flag it.

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