Air Conditioning - Process Chillers

The most well-known type of process chillers is air conditioning. Air conditioning systems use a series of coils. Like air conditioners need a liquid refrigerant which runs through the coils in order to absorb and release heat. This cycle is repeated until a specific temperature is reached.

Because they use a cyclical cooling method, they work perfectly in a variety of circumstances. Besides air conditioning, process chillers are also used for refrigeration. In refrigerator or air conditioner process chillers, the heat is removed using vapor compression technology or the absorption refrigeration cycle. Both of these types require some type of coolant, although water works just fine. Usually a corrosion inhibitor will be added to the coolant so that the pipes do not deteriorate.

Some of the industries which rely upon these types of units include metal work, welding, pharmaceutical processing and distribution, food packaging, plastics manufacturing, and HVAC. The medical industry needs process chillers because they keep MRI machines at a cool enough temperature to function.

Most of the time, especially in industrial applications, the units are centralized or decentralized. If the unit is centralized, it means that one controls many machines. When they are decentralized, then each controls an individual machine. Often a combination of centralized and decentralized process chillers will be utilized. Typically the centralized process chillers are larger than the decentralized process chillers.

Originally, they worked with air cooled systems. Air cooled process units work just like it sounds they work, with air cooling the water or liquid refrigerant. Modern units use water cooled technology. This reduces energy consumption by at least fifteen percent; takes up less space than the air cooled process chillers, and are also much quieter because they do not require running fans.

When considering the purchase of a unit, many issues must be considered. In the first place, cost is always an issue. With them, the cost of operation must be considered in addition to the cost of purchase. Additionally, the cooling capacity, evaporator types, materials, types of compressors, coolant requirements, ambient temperature, and number of compressors should all be important considering factors.

Some units are beginning to be manufactured with the environment in mind. Other units must be renovated sometime in the near future because regulations are becoming stricter. Most importantly, the type of coolant must environmentally friendly, and this has been the biggest hold up so far. Most coolants used in a unit are thought to contribute to ozone depletion and global warming. If investing in process chillers now, it would be a good thought to get a jump on the regulations that will almost surely be in place soon.