Laboratory chillers, or lab chillers, are used to lower temperatures and provide cooling for scientific experiments, research, and the accumulation of academic data. They function like other chillers by removing heat using a cooling vapor or compressor cycle. The chilled liquid is recirculated through a heat changer or air cooling equipment. Read More…
Leading Manufacturers
Cold Shot Chillers
Houston, TX | 800-473-9178Founded in the late 1970’s, Cold Shot Chillers has been a designer & liquid chillers manufacturer. Our liquid chillers are of the best quality, offered at low costs with long warranties. Our company's focus is to provide flexible cooling solutions for all industries through the use of high quality components. We serve plastic processing, food & beverage & metal finishing industries and much more.
Delta T Systems, Inc.
Richfield, WI | 800-733-4204Industry leading, eco- friendly technology from Delta T Systems is setting the pace with energy efficient portable or packaged chiller systems and temperature control units. Our expansive standard product line has been successfully applied in a broad variety of industries for over 30 years. And for applications that require unique features or functionality, our custom design team has the know-how to build the perfect match to your unique requirements. Visit deltatsys.com or call with your application requirement for responsive service.
Thermal Care, Inc.
Niles, IL | 888-764-1428Since 1969, Thermal Care has been a leading manufacturer of portable and central chillers in air cooled, water cooled, and remote condenser models.
Glen Dimplex Thermal Solutions
Kalamazoo, MI | 800-968-5665We have manufacturing experiences dating back to 1952 and over the years Glen Dimplex Thermal Solutions has grown in an international provider of high quality chillers. We operate out of an ISO-9001 facility and our teams work hard to bring you the very best chillers. Our teams will even work with you to create a custom chiller. Please give us a call today!
Thermonics Chillers
Mansfield, MA | 781-668-2300Thermonics® offers a range of process chillers for low (-40°C) and ultra-low (-100°C) temperature cooling. Products include air- and water-cooled chillers, and cryogenic chillers for cooling gasses and fluids. Chillers are compatible with a variety of heat transfer fluids delivering cooling capacities up to 25kW at -90°C, satisfying demands for industrial and mil/aero applications. We are a USA based manufacturer with ISO and ITAR registrations.
KKT Chillers
Wood Dale, IL | 847-734-1600KKT Chillers is a leading manufacturer of industrial chiller applicatons. We have served the industry from our headquarters in Germany since our founding and we continue to innovate and improve upon our products. Our chiller series include our Nema-Line, Vario-Line, and Compact-Line. Visit our website to learn more about KKT Chillers.
The heat collected from the cooling process is released into the environment through a set of fans or a cooling tower.
Lab chillers vary from traditional chillers due to the nature of their use. In most cases, they are mobile with wheels or small enough to be carried or set on a counter. In manufacturing, lab chillers are used to test the limitations of a product, part, or component such that engineers can make adjustments to improve longevity and durability. In educational settings, research facilities, and the chemical industries, lab chillers are used for research, scientific experimentation, and empirical data collection.
Types of Laboratory Chillers
There is an endless list of the different types of lab chillers due to their many uses. For laboratory use, lab chillers are considered an instrument designed to provide the necessary conditions for experimentation and research. They cool MRI machines, linear accelerators, CT scanners, radiation therapy equipment, and blood cooling systems. In most instances, they must be customized to fit their applications.
Lab chillers are classified by their compressor type since their other elements are identical. The purpose of the compressor is to take the refrigerant gas and place it under pressure sufficient enough to release the heat collected in the condenser.
The basic components of all chillers are the condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, power supply, controller, and compressor. These parts are common to all chillers, with the compressor being one of the central and most important parts. One exception to the generalization of compressor components is the water box found only on water-cooled chillers, which collects water from the evaporator and condenser.
Screw Compressor Lab Chiller
A screw compressor has two helical screws or male and female rotors that intermesh to compress refrigerant gasses. For a screw compressor to function properly, the rotors must mesh at a very high tolerance to supply the necessary pressure. A screw compressor operates according to a positive displacement mechanism where the concave cavity of the female rotor meshes perfectly with the convex blades of the male rotor.
Reciprocating Lab Chiller Compressors
Reciprocating lab chiller compressors compress refrigerant gasses using the stroke of a piston. The refrigerant gas is drawn into the piston cylinder through the inlet valve by the piston moving backward, which lowers the pressure in the cylinder to below the atmospheric pressure. During the backward motion of the piston, the cylinder becomes pressurized, and the inlet valve closes. With the forward motion of the piston, the pressure on the refrigerant gasses increases and forces the outlet valve to open and release the pressurized refrigerant into the condenser.
Centrifugal Compressor Lab Chillers
Centrifugal compressors for lab chillers use centrifugal force to increase the pressure and temperature of refrigerant gasses. In a centrifugal compressor, gasses are compressed by an impeller's radial acceleration and the compressor's tightly sealed casing. As the gasses pass through the rapidly rotating impeller, they are exposed to centrifugal force. The velocity and speed of the impeller increase the pressure on the gasses.
A diffuser, connected to the compressor chamber, guides and moves the gasses out of the compressor to the condenser. In the diffuser, the velocity decreases, which increases the pressure in the gasses. The impeller increases the pressure by 65%, while the diffuser increases it by 35%.
Absorption Lab Chiller
An absorption lab chiller is unlike lab chillers that depend on a compressor to pressurize refrigerant gasses. In place of a compressor, absorption chillers have an absorbent into which the vapors of the refrigerant are dissolved. The idea behind their operation is to separate and combine the refrigerant and the absorbent to create cooling. In the first phase of the process, an ammonia-water solution acts as the refrigerant, while in the latter phase, lithium bromide is the absorbent and water is the refrigerant.
The elements of an absorption chiller do not include a compressor but are composed of a generator, condenser, evaporator, and absorber. In the evaporator, the heat from the process is absorbed, and the refrigerant leaves as ammonia vapor. In the absorber, the vapor is exposed to an ammonia-water solution that becomes a strong solution at high pressure. From the absorber, collected heat is released into the atmosphere.
Benefits of Lab Chillers
Accuracy – Lab chillers ensure the accuracy of temperatures and eliminate the potential negative effects of environmental factors.
Sustainability – Previously, water was used to cool portions of research and experiments, which was costly and wasteful. Lab chillers have been implemented as a cost-saving and eco-friendly replacement.
Cost Savings – Cost savings is the main reason that lab chillers have become so essential.
Convenience – Cooling methods using water, ice, dry ice, or liquid nitrogen required much effort that was eliminated by lab chillers.
Safety – Chemicals can react adversely if placed in conditions where the temperature is not precision-controlled.
