ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) recently launched its certification program for liquid-to-liquid heat exchangers. The program joins 22 other ARI-administered certification programs, and will likewise utilize the ARI certification symbol to designate product performance.

The program's goal is to provide a common method for evaluating the thermal performance of liquid-to-liquid heat exchangers and to give consumers confidence in the equipment they purchase, stated the institute.

"To allow buyers and users to make apples-to-apples comparison for a specific application, products certified under ARI Standard 400 should be specified," said Al Valentino, Alfa-Laval PHE product manager. "Doing so provides confidence that all heat exchangers are rated in a uniform manner."

The Liquid-to-Liquid Heat Exchangers Certification Program is open to any domestic and/or international manufacturer of plate- and/or shell-type liquid-to-liquid heat exchangers. The equipment is tested in accordance with ANSI/ARI Standard 400-2001 with Addendum 1, "Liquid-to-Liquid Heat Exchangers." Certification and the use of the ARI certification symbol is only granted for products that, when tested through the program, meet or exceed the manufacturer's published thermal performance ratings.

For more information, visit www.ariprimenet.org.

Publication date: 04/26/2004