Different Types of Industrial And Commercial Chillers

Jul. 07,

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Chillers play an essential role in controlling temperature and cooling across various industries. Selecting the appropriate type of industrial chiller is critical for process and space cooling, as it can significantly lower cooling expenses, minimize downtime, and enhance operational efficiency.

This article outlines the various types of chillers tailored for commercial and industrial applications, emphasizing the advantages each type offers. The purpose is to assist you in making a well-informed purchasing decision.

Types of Industrial Chillers (Based on Condenser Type)

Currently, the predominant types of industrial chillers are air-cooled chillers, water-cooled chillers, and evaporative condensing chillers. Let’s dive deeper into these three categories.

Water-Cooled Chillers

The most widely used chillers utilize water in an external tower to cool the gaseous refrigerant within the condenser. Once the heat is expelled, the refrigerant undergoes a phase transition into a liquid state, which is then cycled back into the system.

Advantages of Water-Cooled Chillers

Water-cooled chillers are generally more energy efficient compared to air-cooled units.

They tend to operate more quietly than air-cooled systems.

These chillers are suitable for both small-scale and commercial cooling applications.

Portable units are available for facilities with space limitations.

Air-Cooled Chillers

Air-cooled chillers leverage ambient air to expel heat from the refrigerant in the condenser before it condenses and recirculates. A fan attached to the unit aids in accelerating the cooling process. These chillers are ideally used in scenarios where heat dissipation is manageable, as they typically generate noticeable heat on-site.

Advantages of Air-Cooled Chillers

They offer portable solutions for areas facing space constraints.

Air-cooled chillers can accommodate small to commercial-scale cooling needs, based on their size and capacity.

Installation and maintenance costs are generally lower than those associated with water-cooled systems.

The heat expelled from these chillers can be harnessed to warm the facility during colder periods, leading to further savings on energy and costs.

Air-Cooled vs Water-Cooled Chillers

While both air-cooled and water-cooled chillers consist of similar components (condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, and compressor), their primary distinction lies in refrigerant cooling methodology.

In an air-cooled chiller, hot refrigerant enters the condenser exposed to atmospheric air, which facilitates heat release before the refrigerant reverts to a liquid state. Conversely, a water-cooled chiller channels hot refrigerant gas to a water-cooled heat exchanger or condenser, where water from a cooling tower cools the refrigerant.

If you seek additional information, please visit Types of Industrial Chillers.

Chiller Classification (Based on Mode of Operation)

Industrial chillers can further be classified as either 'vapor compression' or 'vapor absorption' types, depending on the refrigerant transport mechanism within the system. Let’s explore how these chillers function in their respective systems.

Vapor Compressor Chillers

A vapor compressor chiller employs a compressor to circulate the refrigerant, effectively extracting unwanted heat from the process. This system includes an evaporator, condenser, and expansion unit, but lacks an absorption medium.

Vapor Absorption Chillers

In contrast to vapor compressor systems, vapor absorption chillers utilize a heat source to circulate refrigerant for cooling. They possess the same components as vapor compressor chillers but replace the compressor with an absorber, pump, and generator.

The heat source can be hot water or steam, the refrigerant may have a low Global Warming Potential (GWP), and the absorption medium typically consists of a lithium bromide or ammonia solution. The heated water or steam aids in regenerating the adsorption solution.

Screw Chillers vs Centrifugal Chillers

Centrifugal chillers are reliable vapor compression cycle systems designed for medium to large-scale cooling operations (ranging from 150 tonnes and above). These units include the standard evaporator, compressor, condenser, and expansion unit, alongside an additional rotating impeller for refrigerant compression and circulation.

Screw chillers represent another type of vapor compressor chiller, utilizing a screw compressor for delivering coolant throughout the system. Advantages include compact installation, quiet operation, low maintenance costs, and exceptional energy efficiency, making them ideal for high-rise buildings.

To discuss which option—an air-cooled chiller, screw chiller, or a water-cooled chiller—is best suited for your needs, please contact us.