In ancient times, when no air conditioners existed, it was challenging to tackle the heat, especially in areas with extreme weather conditions. Later, in 1914, the first residential air conditioner was introduced, and it has been developing till now. Many variations took place, and air conditioners that required a significant space for installation can now be easily fitted on the wall, leaving free space in the room. Later, many types of this machine were introduced, like window AC, split AC, inverters, chillers, portable air conditioners, etc. All of these machines have different features but the same aim. In this blog, we will provide information about AC chillers guide and the types of chillers. So, get ready and be our companion to find the following machine for your space. First, let us have a small introduction to chiller AC, and then we will switch the topic to its types.
A little about chillers
An AC chiller is a refrigeration system that cools a liquid, typically water, to a desired temperature. The chilled water is circulated through a building’s air conditioning system to cool and dehumidify the air. Moreover, these machines are usable in a wide range of commercial and industrial applications, including:
- Office buildings
- Hospitals
- Hotels
- Shopping malls
- Data centers
- Manufacturing facilities
- Food processing plants
If we talk about AC maintenance, these machines only require a little maintenance, but still, they need care from you. The AC chiller maintenance list does not comprise too many points, and all you have to do is to:
- Check if any component is repairable or not.
- Inspect motor lubrication and centrifugal machines.
- Keep the coils clean and check the condenser after a particular duration.
- Water filters need proper cleanliness.
- Keep the liquid level of the evaporator appropriate while running the machine at full load.
It is all about the AC chiller guide and the maintenance tips. Now, we should consider moving on to our primary discussion, “Types of chillers.” So, read these types and classifications and see whether these devices suit you.
Types of chillers
There are three main types of AC chillers:
Air-cooled chillers
The first and most common type of AC chiller is an air-cooled chiller. This cooling machine uses fans to blow air over the condenser coils, which removes heat from the refrigerant. Moreover, this chiller is typically less expensive to install and maintain than water-cooled chillers, but they are also less efficient.
Water-cooled chillers
Like previous types use fans to cool and remove the heat, these chillers use water to cool the condenser coils. These chillers work more efficiently than the first chiller type, but they are also more expensive to install and maintain.
Absorption chillers
These chillers use heat to drive the cooling process rather than electricity. Absorption chillers are often used in applications where waste heat is available, such as cogeneration plants and industrial facilities.
Classification of AC chillers
AC chillers are classified into various types, and collectively we can call them “vapor compression” or “vapor absorption.” Explore how they work with different technologies.
Chillers with Vapor Compressors
Refrigerant is pumped by a compressor in vapor compressor chillers to remove excess heat from a process. We have an evaporator, a condenser, and an expansion unit as part of the same system components as the absorption type. Nevertheless, the unit lacks an absorbent medium.
Absorption Vapor Chillers
Vapor absorption chillers, in contrast to vapor compressor systems, move the refrigerant throughout the system using a heat source to provide cooling. The system’s parts are identical to vapor compressor-type chillers; however, an absorber, a pump, and a generator are useable instead of the compressor.
Water or steam is a possible alternative heat source; R-134a or R1234ze, two types of refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP), which are possible to use as the refrigerant; and an ammonia or lithium bromide solution can be used as the absorption medium. The adsorption solution is replenished with the aid of hot water or steam.
Screw chillers and centrifugal chillers
Reliable vapor compression cycle chillers centrifugal chillers are perfect for medium- to large-scale cooling applications (from 150 to 6000 tons of refrigeration). They have extra moving impellers that compress and move the refrigerant throughout the system in addition to the standard evaporator, compressor, condenser, and expansion device configuration.
Screw Chillers are vapor compressor chillers that move the coolant through the system using a screw compressor. Compact installation, silent operation, reduced maintenance costs, and excellent energy efficiency are a few of the primary advantages. Additionally, they are perfect for tall structures.
Both kinds of chillers provide adequate cooling for buildings. In facilities with limited space, Cold Shot Chillers advises employing screw chillers for consistent operation and centrifugal chillers for high-volume cooling.
Conclusion
If you have ample space to change its environment, you must install an AC chiller because of its power and extra efficacy. Moreover, there are three types of AC chillers, which have more classifications according to the technology. On the other hand, large spaces like hospitals, banks, and offices are challenging to relax with small air conditioners because of the hustle and bustle of people there. Consider doing deep research on the different types of chillers and see which one is enough to fulfill your needs.
What distinguishes regular AC from chiller AC?
Although both systems effectively chill air, their main advantages and components differ. A chilled water system uses a network of pumps, pipelines, and a chiller to cool the air, whereas an air conditioning system uses a refrigerant, such as Freon, to circulate through a series of coils.
Which four phases make up a chiller?
The evaporator, compressor, condenser, and expansion unit are the four main parts of a chiller. Every chiller system furthermore has a refrigerant. A low-pressure refrigerant enters the evaporator to begin the operation.
Do installation procedures for chiller air conditioners differ from those for regular air conditioners?
Yes, installing a chiller air conditioner differs from a standard AC installation because installing a chiller system requires specific equipment and experience due to its bigger size and complexity. To disperse the chilled water throughout the structure, they also need a system of pipelines and pumps.
What is the best chiller system?
Air-cooled chillers often have a shorter lifespan and are less efficient than water-cooled chillers. That said, they need more upkeep, and the cooling tower needs its room.
