Thermo Chillers
WHAT IS A CHILLER?
A chiller is a machine that removes heat from a liquid via a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle or Peltier technology. This cooled liquid can then be circulated to cool equipment (heat transfer) as required. Generally, this is a closed-loop system.
A chiller is a critical piece of equipment for keeping application temperatures stable in the range that’s optimal for processes.
TERMINOLOGY
Circulating (or cooling) Fluid
Generally for industrial applications, the circulating fluid is distilled water, DI water, or a water-glycol mix. This is the fluid that will circulate from the chiller to the heat load and back to the chiller.
Cooling Method
This refers to how the refrigerant is cooled, not to what is used to cool the heat load. Can be air-cooled (most popular) (A/C unit, refrigerator, etc) or water-cooled.
Air-cooled uses fans to blow air across the condenser to cool the refrigerant
Water-cooled uses facility water, usually from a central installed cooling tower or another chiller, to cool the refrigerant
Pump Flow
- The amount of circulating fluid a pump can cause to flow at a given pressure
- “Rated flow” at 20°C set temperature, 25°C ambient, and is required minimum flow for maintaining rated cooling capacity and set temperature.
- Most applications have a circulating fluid flow requirement
- Operating electrical frequency affects pump flow as well
HOW TO CHOOSE A CHILLER
