A Beginners Guide to Chillers | HVAC | Business | LG AFRICA

HVAC systems play an essential role in most of our daily lives. HVAC systems keep us cool in the summer heat and warm in the cold of winter, more comfortable environment to be at. We’re all familiar with the air conditioning units we see in our homes and offices, but on a very large scale, it becomes necessary to make the cooling process more cost-effective. This is where chillers become such an important part of an HVAC system. Large buildings such as manufacturing plants, high-rise office towers and shopping malls generate a lot of heat during daily operations and this heat must be removed to keep occupants comfortable and equipment operating safely. Now, it’s time to dive in and discover more about the world of chillers.

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The Fundamentals of Chillers

Much like the air conditioner in your home, chillers use refrigerant gas to move unnecessary heat between the evaporator and the condenser. This process chills the water and it is circulated throughout a building to draw in unwanted heat and remove it. This heat is then returned to the evaporator and the condenser then sends the heat to a cooling tower or cooling coil to remove the heat from the system. The procedure itself may sound simple, but these powerful machines are able to cool very large spaces and save a lot of money and resources in the process.

Types of Chillers

There are two types of chillers including air-cooled, water-cooled accordance with condenser type. What are the main differences between these chiller types? Let’s look at them now. The condenser in an air-cooled chiller is cooled by the ambient air in the environment. These systems are ideal for facilities with infrastructure and environmental restrictions or in locations where access to water is limited. They are also typically installed outdoors since they require access to the air in the environment. Water-cooled chillers are usually much larger than air-cooled chillers and their condensers are connected to a water tower for cooling. They are also more beneficial in facilities that require a constant high-performance operation. A water-cooled chiller can operate at high performance regardless of the ambient temperature as the temperature is regulated in the water tower and not affected by the outdoor environment.

And there is another type, called absorption chiller. absorption water chillers make use of the absorption refrigeration cycle and do not have a mechanical compressor involved in the refrigeration cycle. Absorption chillers utilize waste heat from other equipment and processes to chill water and provide cooling. With no compressor involved, these chillers can operate more cost-efficiently and with lower noise emissions. There are various types of chillers and each chiller type provides unique benefits for the installation environment.

Making the Right Choice When Selecting a Chiller

Now that we understand a bit more about the different types of chillers, how do you decide which chiller is best for a facility?

1. The first step is to determine the heat load of the facility to be sure the chiller has a large enough capacity to meet your needs.

2. Next, you should look at the target temperature required, the flow rate required and what type of refrigerant the system must use.

3. After you have determined these factors, you should look at the installation environment itself. Will the chiller need to be installed indoors or outdoors? Consider the performance of each chiller model based on capacity to be sure they meet the minimum chilled water supply temperature.

4. Then you need to look at the overall performance chiller pump to ensure it can meet requirements such as meeting the appropriate pressure to supply the necessary airflow.

The remaining factors to consider are also related to the install environment and include elements such as power supply, comprehensive control solutions, installation footprint, etc. You also need to be sure that the manufacturer is able to provide sufficient service in your region.

Each customer has a unique set of needs and there is a chiller that can meet those needs. Understanding chillers better will help in the decision-making process and ensure you get the right chiller for your facility. Hopefully, you now have the power to choose the ideal chiller for whatever your needs may be.

Different Types of Chillers: Industrial Chillers Guide

Need fast, reliable process cooling? Industrial chillers can handle it. This guide breaks down the main types and helps you find the right one for your job.

Types of Industrial Chillers (Based on Condenser Type)

The three major types of industrial chillers in use today are air-cooled, water-cooled, and evaporative condensed chillers. Let’s take a closer look at all three:

Water-Cooled Chillers

The most common types of industrial water chillers use water from an external tower to cool the gaseous refrigerant in the condenser. After expelling its heat, the refrigerant undergoes a phase change into a liquid and is recirculated into the system.

The Pros

• Water-cooled chillers are generally more efficient
• They have a quieter operation
• They are suitable for both small-scale and commercial-scale process cooling
• Portable solutions are available for facilities with space constraints

The Cons

• Water-cooled industrial chillers can be costly to install and maintain due to the additional cooling water tower, tanks, and water pump
• Since they require a constant supply of water for cooling, they might not be suitable for locations with water shortages or restrictions
• Water-cooled systems require periodic condenser water treatment to prevent the formation of mineral deposits in the system. 

Explore portable, stationary, central, and custom water-cooled chillers from Cold Shot Chillers here.

Air-Cooled Chillers

Air-cooled chillers use ambient air to reject heat from the refrigerant in the condenser before condensation and recirculation. Additionally, air fans attached to the unit help speed up the cooling process.

These types of industrial chillers are suitable for industrial processes where the discharged heat will not be an issue, as they tend to produce considerable warmth at the site.

The Pros

• Portable solutions are available for facilities with space constraints
• Air-cooled chillers are available for small-scale and commercial-scale cooling depending on sizing and chiller capacity
• They are cheaper to install and maintain than water-cooled systems
• The heat from the chiller can warm the facility during cold periods, providing additional cost and power savings. 

The Cons

• Air-cooled industrial chillers use cooling fans that produce some level of noise
• The life expectancy can be less than that of a water-cooled chiller

Comparison Between Air-cooled & Water-cooled Chillers

While the components of air- and water-cooled chillers are mostly the same (condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, and compressor), the main difference is how the refrigerant is cooled.

In an air-cooled chiller, hot refrigerant entering the condenser is exposed to atmospheric air, rejecting the heat before it condenses to its liquid state. On the other hand, in a water-cooled unit, hot refrigerant gas is sent to a water-cooled heat exchanger or condenser, and the refrigerant is cooled using water from a cooling tower. For a better understanding, learn how cooling towers and chillers work together.

Classification of Chillers (Based on Mode of Operation)

Industrial chillers can be further grouped as “vapor compression” or “vapor absorption” types based on how the refrigerant is transported within the system. Take a closer look at how a chiller works in these different system types.

For more information, please visit Modular Air Cooled Chiller.

Vapor Compressor Chillers

Vapor compressor chillers use a compressor to pump refrigerant, which extracts unwanted heat from a process. The components of the system are the same as in the absorption type – we have an evaporator, a condenser, and an expansion unit. However, there is no absorbent medium in the unit.

Vapor Absorption Chillers

Unlike vapor compressor systems, vapor absorption chillers use a heat source to transport the refrigerant around the system for cooling. The components of the system are the same as in vapor compressor-type chillers, but in place of the compressor, there is an absorber, a pump, and a generator.

The heat source can be heated by water or steam; the refrigerant can be a low Global Warming Potential (GWP) type like R-134a or Rze, and the absorption medium can be a solution of Lithium Bromide or ammonia. The heated water or steam helps regenerate the adsorption solution.

Screw Chiller vs. Centrifugal Chiller

Centrifugal chillers use high-speed impellers to compress refrigerant and handle large cooling loads (150- tons). They’re best for big facilities like airports, campuses, and large factories where full-load efficiency matters.

Screw chillers use twin rotors to move refrigerant. They’re more compact, quieter, and easier to maintain – ideal for high-rise buildings and mid-size systems.

Cold Shot Chillers recommends centrifugal chillers for large, constant loads and screw chillers for space- or noise-sensitive installs. Use our chiller sizing calculator to find the right fit.

Types of Industrial Chillers (Based on Application Type)

Food & Beverage Chillers

Maintaining optimal temperatures for food and beverage products is critical to ensure their safety and quality. Food and beverage chillers are used in the industry to achieve this, whether it’s to cool liquids like milk or juice or to keep food products fresh. Different types of chillers are available, including air- and water-cooled units, with the size of the chiller depending on the amount of product being cooled and temperature requirements.

Medical Chillers

Medical chillers protect heat-sensitive devices like MRI machines, CT scanners, and lab analyzers. These systems need tight temperature control 24/7 to avoid shutdowns, drift, or faulty results. Medical chillers are quiet, precise, and built for reliability. Some models also help regulate humidity for cleanroom or lab conditions.

HVAC Chillers

HVAC chillers are built to cool large-scale climate systems in buildings like hospitals, factories, and server rooms. These industrial chillers circulate chilled water or glycol through air handlers or process loops to remove heat from spaces or equipment.

Units vary from compact systems for small commercial use to multi-ton machines for major industrial cooling loads. Some are designed to handle 24/7 operation in mission-critical environments with tight temperature tolerances. Others offer modular setups that scale with demand.

Metal Finishing Chillers

Industrial chillers for metal finishing ensure high-quality metal plating and chemical processes. The precise control of temperature provided by these chillers is necessary to avoid corrosion, pitting, and other defects resulting from incorrect temperature regulation. Therefore, when selecting an industrial chiller for metal finishing, it’s important to consider factors such as the size of the application, the required temperature range, and the type of chemicals being used.

Industrial Chillers

Industrial chillers cool heavy-duty machinery and industrial processes in factories, packaging lines, and chemical plants. Designed for nonstop use, they handle high heat loads in tough conditions. Air-cooled models work well where water is limited, while water-cooled systems deliver higher efficiency. Cold Shot units are built with non-ferrous piping, stainless tanks, and industrial pumps to survive real-world shop floors.

Plastic Processing Chillers

Plastic processing chillers keep molds, extruders, and dies at stable temps to prevent defects like warping or shrinkage. Precise cooling improves product quality, reduces scrap, and speeds up cycle times. Cold Shot offers both air– and water-cooled chillers  to meet specific process needs.

Cold Shot Chillers Has the Best Industrial Chillers for Your Application

For over 30 years, Cold Shot Chillers has manufactured the best industrial chiller systems to meet the process cooling needs in industrial and commercial applications nationwide.

Are you interested in learning more about Brine Chiller Units? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!