Frequently Asked Questions

The purpose of a chiller is to remove heat from a process or building and transfer it elsewhere, typically by circulating a refrigerant or chilled water through a closed loop system.

Chillers are used to remove heat from a process or a building, by circulating a secondary refrigerant such as chilled water through a closed loop system.

A process chiller is a type of chiller used to cool industrial processes and machinery, such as processed foods and beverages, hydraulic motors, plastic moulding machines or laser cutters.

A HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) chiller is a type of chiller used to cool large buildings, such as hospitals, office buildings, and data centres by in-turn cooling AHU’s (air handling units) and fan coils.

The main difference between a process chiller and an HVAC chiller is their application - process chillers are designed for industrial use and to cool specific equipment or processes, while HVAC chillers are designed to cool spaces to maintain comfortable air temperatures inside buildings, offices and hotels.

There are several different types of chillers, including air-cooled chillers, water-cooled chillers, absorption chillers, and centrifugal chillers - that are used for process cooling and HVAC.

Some of the different types of chillers used for industrial applications include scroll chillers, screw chillers, and reciprocating chillers.

A process chilled water system is a closed-loop system that circulates chilled water from a chiller to cool industrial processes or equipment via a pipework installation.

Process chillers are used in a wide range of applications, including in the food and beverage industry, pharmaceuticals, plastics, metal working and machinery cooling demands throughout manufacturing processes.

The four stages of a chiller are the refrigeration cycle of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation.

A glycol chiller is a type of chiller that uses a mixture of water and glycol as the cooling medium and is commonly used at lower temperatures to cool products, or for frost protection when a chiller is sited externally.

Air-cooled chillers are the most commonly used type of chiller in smaller to medium sized process cooling and HVAC applications, whereas water-cooled chillers are the most commonly used type of chiller in larger commercial and industrial applications.

The advantage of a chiller system is that it can reliably provide efficient cooling with stable temperature control for industrial processes or buildings, even in varying hot or humid conditions.

Chillers are used in a wide range of industries, including food and beverage, plastics, pharmaceuticals, data centres, throughout manufacturing and more.

The temperature of process chilled water depends on the specific application, but it is typically between -5°C and +20°C.

Five things to know about chilled water systems include the role of chillers and cooling systems, the benefits of using a closed-loop system, the need for proper insulation, the importance of maintaining water quality, the importance of regular maintenance.

Chilled water can be maintained at a variety of temperatures, depending on the specific application.

The temperature of process chilled water depends on the specific application, but it is typically between -10°C and +20°C.

The temperature of chiller water should be set based on the needs of the specific application and equipment being cooled which are often determined by the equipment manufacturers or by a chilled water expert.

A chiller is a device used to cool a liquid or a gas, while a condenser is a device used to remove heat from a gas by converting it to a liquid

The pressure of chilled water depends on the specific application and equipment being cooled, but it is typically between 1.0 and 3.5 Bar.

Delta T in a chiller refers to the temperature difference between the chilled water leaving the chiller (outlet temperature) and the return water temperature (inlet temperature).

A good delta T (temperature difference) for a chiller system is typically around 5°C although this can vary depending on the specific application and design of the system.

To calculate chiller tonnage, you can use the following formula: Tonnage = (Flow rate in LPM x Delta T in °C x Specific Heat Capacity of Water in kJ/kg °C) / (3600 x Cooling Capacity of Chiller in kJ/kW) Where:

• Flow rate is the amount of water flow in litres per minute (LPM)

• Delta T is the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of the chiller in °C

• Specific Heat Capacity of Water is the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of water by 1°C (4.184 kJ/kg°C)

• 3600 is the number of seconds in an hour

Cooling Capacity of Chiller is the amount of heat removed by the chiller in kW (i.e. per hour).

Water is typically the best liquid to use in a chiller system, as it has a high specific heat capacity and is readily available. However, other liquids such as advanced low viscosity fluids (ALVs) may be used in certain applications where water is not suitable.

Chillers are typically located outdoors with plenty of free air flow around them, or in a mechanical room or other dedicated space within a building. They may be located on the roof, in the basement, or in a separate equipment room depending on the specific application and design of the building or factory.