Air-cooled ammonia refrigeration systems and methods

A method of controlling head pressure of an air-cooled condenser, the method comprising:

• providing an air-cooled condenser configured to condense vaporous ammonia to form liquid ammonia;
• providing a water system coupled to the air-cooled condenser, the water system comprising a water source, a water pump, and a plurality of spray nozzles;
• determining, using a control circuit, a head pressure of the air-cooled condenser;
• and
• when the head pressure of the air-cooled condenser is higher than a predetermined value, providing, using the control circuit, atomized water through the plurality of spray nozzles to a surface of the air-cooled condenser such that the water evaporates upon contact with the surface of the air-cooled condenser.

A system for controlling head pressure of an air-cooled condenser, the system comprising:

• an air-cooled condenser comprising a finned tube heat exchanger and at least one fan, the air-cooled condenser configured to condense vaporous ammonia to form liquid ammonia;
• a water system coupled to the air-cooled condenser, the water system comprising a water source, a water pump, and a plurality of spray nozzles positioned adjacent the air-cooled condenser;
• and
• a control circuit coupled to the air-cooled condenser and the water system, the control circuit configured to spray atomized water through the plurality of spray nozzles to a surface of the air-cooled condenser when a head pressure of the air-cooled condenser is higher than a predetermined value, wherein the water evaporates upon contact with the surface of the air-cooled condenser.