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Industrial Chiller

An industrial chiller is one of the essential pieces of equipment in many industries, playing a crucial role in temperature control and providing a suitable environment for various processes. These systems work by absorbing heat from one medium and transferring it to another, reducing the temperature of the fluid or environment.

On this page of Tabadol Gostar Booran, we provide a comprehensive review of industrial chillers, their types, components, pricing, and a complete buying guide.

What is an Industrial Chiller?

An industrial chiller is a system used to generate cooling in different industries. By absorbing heat from one environment and transferring it to another, these systems reduce the temperature of fluids or environments. Industrial chillers are widely used in industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, plastics, automotive, and many more.

Simply put, an industrial chiller operates like a large air conditioner but is designed for industrial purposes. These systems are commonly used to cool water or oil, which is then circulated to cool machinery, equipment, and industrial processes.

Industrial chillers are produced in different sizes and capacities, and choosing the right type depends on several factors such as the type of industry, required cooling capacity, and environmental conditions.

Types of Industrial Chillers

Industrial chillers are divided into two main categories based on the refrigeration cycle: compression chillers and absorption chillers.

Compression Chillers

The most common type of industrial chiller. In this type, the refrigerant is compressed using a compressor, raising its temperature. The heated refrigerant then loses its heat and condenses into a liquid. Finally, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the environment, evaporates, and the cycle repeats.

Compression chillers themselves come in various types, including the following:

Air-Cooled Chiller

In this type of chiller, heat is dissipated through direct contact of the condenser with air. Advantages include structural simplicity, low maintenance costs, and no need for auxiliary equipment such as cooling towers. However, they have lower thermal efficiency compared to water-cooled chillers, and performance may decrease in hot climates.

Water-Cooled Chiller

A water-cooled chiller transfers hot water from the condenser to a cooling tower, where it is cooled through evaporation.

Water-cooled chillers have higher thermal efficiency compared to air-cooled chillers and perform better in various climatic conditions.

However, they require auxiliary equipment such as cooling towers and pumps, increasing initial and maintenance costs.

Screw Chiller

This type of chiller uses two helical rotors to compress the refrigerant. Advantages include very high efficiency, low vibration, large capacities, and adjustable capacity control. However, initial costs are higher than other types of chillers.

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Scroll Chiller

A scroll chiller is a type of compression chiller that uses a scroll compressor to compress the refrigerant.

In this compressor, two spiral-shaped plates called scrolls are used—one fixed and the other moving. As the moving plate rotates, refrigerant is trapped between the two plates and pushed toward the outlet, increasing its pressure.

Scroll chillers are widely used in industrial and commercial applications such as commercial buildings, data centers, and food industries due to their high efficiency, low noise, compact size, and high reliability.

They also come in various models and capacities, making them adaptable to different cooling system requirements.

Absorption Chillers

In absorption chillers, instead of a compressor, an absorbent substance is used to absorb the refrigerant vapor. These chillers are typically used in high-capacity applications or where energy costs are critical.

The main types of absorption chillers include:

Single-Effect Chiller

Single-effect chillers are the simplest type of absorption chiller. In these systems, an absorbent solution (usually lithium bromide) and refrigerant (generally water) circulate in a closed cycle. The absorbent captures the refrigerant vapor from the evaporator and directs it to the generator.

In the generator, heat is applied to separate the refrigerant vapor from the solution. The refrigerant then condenses into liquid form, enters the evaporator, and the cycle repeats.

Advantages of single-effect chillers include structural simplicity, lower initial cost, and flexibility in using different heat sources. However, they have lower efficiency and limited cooling capacity compared to double-effect chillers.

Double-Effect Chiller

Double-effect chillers are a more advanced generation of absorption chillers. In these systems, the absorption and regeneration processes of the absorbent solution occur in two stages. In the first stage, the solution is heated in a high-temperature generator, causing part of the water to evaporate. In the second stage, the concentrated solution is transferred to a low-temperature generator, where the remaining water also evaporates. This increases the concentration of the absorbent solution, thereby improving chiller efficiency.

Advantages of double-effect chillers include higher efficiency, greater cooling capacity, and the ability to operate in diverse climatic conditions. On the other hand, they come with higher initial costs and more complex structures compared to single-effect chillers.

Comparison Table of Absorption Chiller Types

Feature
Double-Effect Chiller
Single-Effect Chiller
Efficiency
Higher
Lower
Cooling Capacity
Greater
More limited
Initial Cost
Higher
Lower
Structural Complexity
More complex
Simpler
Reliability
Lower (due to higher complexity)
Higher

Industrial Chiller Components

Industrial chillers usually consist of various components, each playing a role in the system’s operation. These components include the compressor, condenser, evaporator, cooling tower, expansion valve, and refrigerant, which we will explain in detail below.

The compressor is one of the main components of a chiller. By compressing the refrigerant, it increases its pressure and converts it into a high-energy gas phase. This process provides the necessary energy for heat transfer within the cooling cycle. Different types of compressors include screw, scroll, reciprocating, and centrifugal, selected based on system requirements.

The condenser is the part of the industrial chiller responsible for releasing the absorbed heat from the refrigerant into the environment. In this section, the refrigerant changes phase from gas to liquid. Condensers are divided into two main categories: air-cooled and water-cooled, chosen according to environmental conditions.

We have provided a complete explanation of this important chiller component and its applications on the “What is a Condenser” page.

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The evaporator is one of the critical components of an industrial chiller, with its main role lying in the cooling process. Essentially, the evaporator is where the refrigerant (cooling medium) changes phase from liquid to gas. This phase change occurs by absorbing heat from the surrounding environment.

In other words, the evaporator absorbs heat from the fluid we intend to cool (commonly water) and transfers it to the refrigerant. This heat transfer causes the refrigerant to evaporate, reducing the temperature of the desired fluid. The cooled water is then directed to building cooling systems or industrial processes to cool the environment or maintain industrial equipment at optimal temperatures.

Thus, the evaporator is the beating heart of an industrial chiller, and its proper operation is essential to ensuring the required cooling in different systems.

We have provided a complete explanation of this vital chiller component and its applications on the “What is an Evaporator” page.

Cooling Tower

The cooling tower is used to lower the temperature of the water employed in the cooling cycle of water-cooled chillers. This system transfers heat from the water to the air, providing the necessary cooled water and reducing energy consumption.

Expansion Valve

The expansion valve reduces the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant before it enters the evaporator. This pressure drop allows the refrigerant to absorb more heat, improving the efficiency of the system.

Refrigerant

The substance responsible for heat transfer in the cooling cycle is called the refrigerant. By changing phase between liquid and gas, the refrigerant transfers heat from the evaporator to the condenser. Choosing the right refrigerant has a major impact on the performance and efficiency of the chiller.

Industrial Chiller Price

The price of industrial chillers depends on various factors such as the type of chiller (compression or absorption), system capacity, manufacturer brand, and applied technologies. Installation and maintenance costs should also be considered in the final calculation.

Understanding project requirements and consulting with experts can help you choose a chiller at a suitable price. Contact Tabadol Gostar Booran to receive complete information regarding the costs of different types of chillers.

Industrial Chiller Buying Guide

Several factors must be considered when purchasing a suitable industrial chiller. First, determine your project’s cooling needs and define the proper capacity. Then, select the type of chiller (air-cooled, water-cooled, compression, or absorption) based on environmental conditions and available resources. Also, evaluating the manufacturer’s brand quality, energy consumption, and after-sales services are other important aspects.

We recommend consulting with professional specialists before purchase to ensure you make the best decision.

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Frequently Asked Questions; Clear Answers for You

Answers to the most frequently asked questions our experts at Tabadol Gostar Booran receive:

What is the main difference between compression and absorption chillers?

Compression chillers use a compressor to compress the refrigerant, while absorption chillers use an absorbent material to capture refrigerant vapor.

Food, pharmaceutical, plastics, automotive, petrochemical, and electronics industries.

Severe drop in efficiency, rising maintenance and repair costs, frequent breakdowns.

Main factors reducing a chiller’s cooling capacity include dirty condenser and evaporator, refrigerant shortage, compressor failure, clogged pipes, control system issues, increased condenser inlet water temperature, reduced compressor suction pressure, and higher compressor discharge pressure.

By producing chilled water, the chiller delivers it to electronic equipment. The chilled water absorbs the equipment’s heat, lowering its temperature and preventing damage from overheating.

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