Draught Equipment and System Configuarations > Essential Draught System Components > Refrigeration/Cooling

Consistent and controlled beer dispense requires that the beer traveling from keg to glass be maintained at a temperature of 34° to 38°F.  While temporary service may employ ice for cooling, most permanent installations employ refrigeration systems.

Cold box refrigeration systems can provide cooling for a small direct-draw box cooler or a large walk-in.  The refrigeration itself can either be self-contained with the compressor and condenser mounted on the unit or with a remotely mounted compressor and condenser.  Remotely mounting the compressor can benefit the installation by removing the source of heat from inside a room or building; however, this requires additional refrigerant piping and possibly higher cost.

Condenser cooling can utilize either air or water; both methods have their strengths and weaknesses.  In warm climates, air-cooled compressors can lose significant cooling capacity on a hot day when it is needed most.  Water-cooled systems operate more efficiently but require more maintenance and investment cost.  Proper preventive care for either system is imperative, such as regularly cleaning condenser fins for air-cooled systems, and cooling water treatment for water-cooled equipment to prevent condenser fouling, which diminishes cooling capacity.  Acid cleaning or “roding” out the heat exchanger may be required to remedy this. Many draught system problems are revealed on the first hot day of the season due to a lack of preventive maintenance.  Although R22 refrigerant is still in use, most new installations will utilize a more environmentally friendly substitute such as 404a.

Glycol systems are also used, as we will see when we examine long-draw systems.

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