The matter with the Joule-Thomson effect

With the COLDER from Kager's device program, components, surfaces, and fluids can be treated with a targeted cold air stream. © Kiefer Industrial Photography

The COLDER from Kager is connected to the industrial compressed air network or a pneumatic unit (3 to 7 bar) and converts the supplied compressed air into a stream of very cold air. © Kiefer Industrial Photography

Kager offers the COLDER in four versions with an airflow volume of 45 to 600 l/min, with the temperature of the emitted ultra-cold air easily adjustable using a control screw. © Kiefer Industrial Photography

In numerous industrial and craft-based processes of processing and manufacturing, the targeted supply of a cooling medium is of central importance. The use of liquid coolants is not always optimal due to procedural or occupational health reasons. An easily implementable alternative is the cold air stick called COLDER from Kager. Its cooling airflow can be precisely directed at test fields, workpieces, construction spaces, or reagents.

In mechanical manufacturing, assembly of components, chemical laboratories, or industrial quality assurance: The flexible provision and targeted delivery of cooling cold air is a fundamental process condition in many areas of technology. While, for example, in chip-removing machining of metallic or polymer workpieces, it is highly relevant to quickly dissipate the heat generated, controlled cooling has a decisive influence on the efficiency of many fluid technical cycles. However, the use of liquid coolants often proves to be technically too complex or health-wise questionable. In such cases, the COLDER from the product range of the German trade and consulting company Kager is recommended as an extremely pragmatic alternative. With this versatile pneumatic tool, based on the Joule-Thomson effect, components, surfaces, and fluids can be treated with a targeted cold air stream.

Energy-efficient Cold Air Source

The COLDER is connected to the operational compressed air network or a pneumatic unit (3 to 7 bar) and converts the supplied compressed air into a stream of very cold air, which can be precisely aimed. Temperatures as low as -55°C can be achieved. Since the COLDER from Kager provides its cooling service completely without electricity or the use of technical gases, it is a very energy-efficient cold air source. Its operation is based on the Joule-Thomson principle – the irreversible expansion of air without energy exchange with the environment. Under this physical effect, a freezing cold air stream is generated at an operating pressure between 3 and 7 bar and an inlet temperature of +20°C.
Thanks to its compact design, flexible pneumatic hoses, and a practical magnetic holder, the COLDER can be positioned anywhere where its cooling airflow is needed. For example, it can be brought within 20 mm of a workpiece, surface, weld seam, laboratory vessel, or solder joint.

Clean and Dry

In manufacturing technology, the Kager cold air stick proves itself both in high-speed machining processes and in dry separation, grinding, or welding and soldering procedures. Among the advantages of using the COLDER are the elimination of oil additive corrosion on metallic surfaces and the avoidance of coolant disposal. While liquid coolants often leave greasy residues, the workpieces, work area, and tools remain clean and dry when using the COLDER.

Kager offers the COLDER in four versions with airflow volumes from 45 to 600 l/min, with the temperature of the ultra-cold air stream easily adjustable via a control screw. Assuming constant pressure and temperature values of the incoming air, the temperature of the outgoing cold air varies only by about +/- 0.6°C. Kager also demonstrates the operation of the COLDER in a video on its YouTube channel.