Different types of industrial and commercial chillers
Chiller systems are essential for temperature control and cooling in many industries. Choosing the right type of industrial chiller for process and space cooling can reduce cooling costs, minimize downtime and increase operational efficiency.
This article will introduce the different types of chillers suitable for commercial and industrial applications, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each. The purpose is to help you make an informed buying decision.
Type of industrial chiller (based on condenser type)
The three main types of industrial chillers in use today are air-cooled chillers, water-cooled chillers, and evaporative-condensing chillers. Let's take a closer look at these three:
Water-cooled chiller
The most common chillers use water from an external tower to cool the gaseous refrigerant in the condenser. After the heat is discharged, the refrigerant undergoes a phase change to become liquid, and then recirculates into the system.
Advantage
Water-cooled chillers are generally more efficient than air-cooled chillers
They run quieter than air-cooled systems
They are suitable for small-scale and commercial-scale cooling
Portable solution is suitable for space-constrained facilities
Shortcoming
The installation and maintenance costs of water-cooled chillers can be high due to additional cooling towers, water tanks and water pumps
Since they require a continuous supply of cooling water, they may not be suitable for places where water is scarce or restricted
The water-cooled system requires regular treatment of the condenser water to prevent the formation of mineral deposits in the system.
Explore Cold Shot Chillers' portable, fixed, central and custom water-cooled chillers here.
Air-cooled chiller
Air-cooled chillers use ambient air to remove heat from the refrigerant in the condenser before condensing and recirculating. In addition, the fan installed on the device helps speed up the cooling process.
Different types of chillers
Air-cooled chillers are suitable for applications where heat emission is not a problem, because they tend to generate a lot of heat on site.
Advantage
Portable solution is suitable for space-constrained facilities
Air-cooled chillers can be used for small-scale and commercial-scale cooling, depending on size and chiller capacity
Compared with water cooling systems, their installation and maintenance costs are lower
The heat discharged from the cooler can be used to heat the facility during cold periods, thereby providing additional cost and power savings.
Shortcoming
Air-cooled chillers use cooling fans that generate a certain degree of noise
Air-cooled chillers have a shorter lifespan than water-cooled chillers
Cold Shot Chillers offers a series of top air-cooled chillers in different sizes and capacities.
Comparison of air-cooled and water-cooled chillers
Although the components of air-cooled and water-cooled chillers are roughly the same (condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and compressor), the main difference lies in the way the refrigerant is cooled.
In an air-cooled chiller, the hot refrigerant entering the condenser is exposed to the atmosphere, and the air releases heat before condensing back to its liquid state. On the other hand, in a water-cooled chiller, hot refrigerant gas is sent to a water-cooled heat exchanger or condenser, and water from a cooling tower is used to cool the refrigerant. To better understand, understand how cooling towers and coolers work together.
Comparison of air-cooled and water-cooled chillers
According to the transportation mode of the refrigerant in the system, industrial chillers can be further divided into "vapor compression" or "vapor absorption" types. Take a closer look at how chillers work in these different system types.
Steam compressor refrigerator
Vapor compressor coolers use compressors to pump refrigerant, thereby extracting unwanted heat from the process. The components of the system are the same as the absorption type-we have an evaporator, a condenser and an expansion device. However, there is no absorption medium in the unit.
Vapor absorption chiller
Unlike vapor compressor systems, vapor absorption chillers use a heat source to transport refrigerant around the system for cooling. The components of the system are the same as the steam compressor chiller, but the compressors are replaced by absorbers, pumps and generators.
The heat source can be heated by water or steam, the refrigerant can be of low global warming potential (GWP) type, such as R-134a or R1234ze, and the absorption medium can be lithium bromide or ammonia solution. The heated water or steam helps to regenerate the adsorption solution.
Screw chiller and centrifugal chiller
The centrifugal chiller is a very reliable vapor compression cycle chiller, very suitable for medium to large cooling operations (from 150 to 6000 tons of refrigeration). They consist of the usual evaporator, compressor, condenser, and expansion device, but with an additional rotating impeller to compress the refrigerant and deliver it around the system.
The screw chiller is a vapor compressor chiller, which uses a screw compressor to deliver the coolant to the system. Some of the main advantages are its compact installation, quiet operation, lower maintenance costs and high energy efficiency. They are also ideal for high-rise buildings.
Both cooler types provide efficient cooling for the facility. However, Cold Shot Chillers recommends using centrifugal chillers for large-capacity cooling and screw chillers for reliable operation in facilities with limited space. In order to better determine your needs, please feel free to use our chiller size calculator.
Master Cooling Tower is a professional global cooling system and equipment manufacturer of high quality cooling tower, chiller, evaporative condenser, water treatment and other accessory parts.
