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About Liquid Chillers
Liquid chillers are refrigeration systems that chill
liquids such as water, oil, brine, alcohol, chemicals and acids for industrial
applications. Refrigerant gas passes through a heat exchanger, while
a liquid flows in the other direction on the opposite side of the heat
exchanger. The refrigerant absorbs the heat lost by the liquid. A compressor
compresses the refrigerant into a high pressure, high temperature gas.
The gas then moves into the condenser coil over which ambient air blows.
The air, moved by one or more fans, removes heat from the gas, which
causes it to condense into a high pressure, warm temperature liquid.
The liquid passes through the expansion valve where a large pressure
drop occurs, turning the liquid into a very cold mist. The mist returns
to the heat exchanger, and the whole process begins again.
Liquid chiller manufacturers produce their products to be run with two
categories of refrigerants, primary and secondary. Primary refrigerants
are substances, such as CFCs, HCFCs and HFCs, which change their physical
state from liquid to vapor or vice versa, based on the absorption or
release of heat, respectively. Secondary refrigerants include water,
brine and air and supplement primary refrigerants. There are also two
types of compressors. A scroll style compressor rotates about a shaft
to create a pump. A piston style compressor rotates a shaft that is curved
like a crankshaft. The shaft, connected to one or more of the piston
rods, moves the pistons up and down, creating pressure in the piston
cylinder. Scroll compressors are usually more efficient than piston compressors,
but both are very reliable and widely used in the refrigeration industry.
Condensers come in three types. In air cooled condensers, air circulates
around tubes containing the refrigerant, contributing to the condensation
of the refrigerant. These condensers are used in instances where water
is unavailable. Water cooled condensers, also called “shell” or “tube” condensers,
utilize water to condense the refrigerant. Water circulates through the
tubes around which the refrigerant is introduced, causing condensation
of the refrigerant on the outside of the tubes. In evaporative cooled
condensers, water is sprayed onto tubes containing the refrigerant. The
evaporation of the water causes the condensation of the refrigerant within
the tube.
Liquid chiller manufacturers need to know quite a bit of information
before building a specific chiller to meet the requirements of the application.
The necessary data includes a brief explanation of the process, heat
load, liquid to be chilled, temperature required in the process, temperature
returning from the process, flow rate of the process liquid, flow rate
constancy, type of chiller circuit (open- or closed-loop), pressure required
during the process, type of condenser cooling required, temperature of
the condenser cooling medium, installation location, electrical service
available, type of package (including tank, pump or pumps and controls),
physical restrictions, type of compressor and any other special details.
Liquid chiller manufacturers will also need to know about the environment,
as in the general layout of the facility, the conditions and existing
equipment. They must also consider what kind of material will be used
to build the liquid chiller. Are components available from a source other
than the manufacturer? What will be the chiller’s energy efficiency?
Is it “user friendly”? What about the warranty? Buyers should
beware of compact liquid chillers, because, though they are initially
cheaper, they cost more in maintenance/labor hours in the long-run. Also,
avoid purchasing a liquid chiller with a “cooling coil” inside
the tank, as it is impossible to access the cooling coil in a sealed
tank.
Featured
Articles
http://www.cszindustrial.com/documents/articles/retrofitguidelines.htm
http://www.coolingtechnology.com/About_Process_Cooling/refrigeration_and_energy_savings/default.html
http://www.coolingtechnology.com/About_Process_Cooling/industrial-chillers/default.html
Types of Liquid Chillers
- ,
the most common chiller type, require little maintenance. However,
because of the need for high condensing temperatures ranging from 120° F
to 140° F, air cooled chillers require more power to operate.
- consist of air handling units fitted
with chilled water coils and are utilized in air condition systems.
- are used to remove heat from an area.
- operate year-round and are designed to
provide specific, capacity-matched cooling protection and proper temperature/water
flow. Dedicated-process chillers are the best choice for medical applications.
- are
uncommon but highly efficient liquid chillers. Evaporative chillers
maintain the lowest condensing temperatures,
which range from 85° F to 105° F.
- provide process cooling using a secondary fluid.
- are often installed outside and are available in centralized
and modular designs. HVAC chillers are used in industrial and commercial
environments.
- are refrigeration systems that are used to chill various liquids in industrial settings.
- are refrigeration systems that remove heat from various liquids.
- lower the temperature of coolant that is used
in the cutting zone and recirculate it back to the machine tool in
a closed-loop
system.
- are self-contained
chillers with higher pressure pumping, temperature stability and microprocessor
controls.
- are self-contained units and are useful in small
and/or dedicated applications.
- constantly circulate coolant in a closed loop,
retaining high efficiency without wasting water.
- consist of a compressor, condenser and chiller with
internal piping and controls all contained within a single unit.
The term “water
chillers” refers also to an overall package that includes a refrigeration
plant, water chiller and air or water cooled condenser.
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