Chilling water temperature variations

[ElTejon]

Not sure if this is the best place for this question but here goes:

This is for all you thermodynamic gurus out there. Does 38 degree water chill hot wort faster than 54 or 60 degree water? My ground water temp is slowly starting to rise and I was wondering when I need to go back to my pre-chiller. In my mind there should be a differance but only to a point.

Thanks for any input...

Rick

 

[40oz2freedom]

When my ground water warms up like that in the summer it takes me twice as long to chill my wort.

 

[MalFet]

This is for all you thermodynamic gurus out there. Does 38 degree water chill hot wort faster than 54 or 60 degree water?

Yes, dramatically, especially as you get closer to pitching temps.

 

[philjohnwilliams]

Yes it will. The larger the difference in temperature between your cooling water and your wort, the faster the heat will transfer. This is why dropping the first 100 degrees goes so fast ( greater temp. difference) and the last 10 degrees goes so slow (lower difference in temp. ).