This article contains information on chillers, their different types, and their work.
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A chiller serves as a cooling mechanism, specifically designed to extract heat by moving a refrigerant through several components where the thermal energy is transferred and expelled. The essential parts of an industrial chiller comprise a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator. These components collaborate to circulate the refrigerant efficiently, allowing for the thorough removal of heat from processes, operations, or environments.
There are several types of industrial chillers, each utilizing unique methods for heat extraction. They either employ air or water as a cooling medium. For example, an air-cooled industrial chiller uses fans to disperse the heat. In contrast, a water-cooled chiller leverages a cooling tower to circulate water, facilitating heat elimination.
Besides their cooling methods, industrial chillers are categorized by the type of compressor utilized. Even though all compressors have the fundamental role of compressing the refrigerant to elevate its temperature and pressure before reaching the condenser, they employ diverse designs and operational mechanisms to accomplish this compression.
Industrial chillers operate on the principles of vapor compression or absorption technology. They are specifically engineered to provide a continuous supply of coolant to maintain desired temperatures. This consistent temperature regulation is achieved through a constantly circulating fluid system, which effectively decreases temperatures by extracting heat.
Industrial chillers are essential process cooling systems used in numerous industries to regulate and stabilize process temperatures. They operate on the principle of vapor compression or absorption and are engineered to deliver a continuous flow of coolant—typically water, brine, or a glycol-water solution—to maintain a precise set temperature. By circulating a chilled fluid through a closed-loop system, chillers efficiently transfer unwanted process heat away from machinery, materials, or ambient environments, ensuring operational stability and energy efficiency.
Since the 1950s, technological advancements in chiller system design and refrigeration technology have revolutionized the scope and reliability of industrial cooling solutions. Early water baths used in the mid-20th century have been replaced by highly engineered liquid chillers capable of reaching temperatures required for demanding industrial processes such as laser cutting, die casting, medical imaging, and chemical manufacturing. Today, chillers serve as an indispensable component in modern manufacturing, driving productivity and product quality across countless applications.
Most industrial operations generate substantial heat loads through high-powered machinery, heavy-duty furnaces, injection molding equipment, stamping presses, milling machines, and ovens. To prevent machinery overheating and minimize equipment downtime, modern industrial chiller systems circulate cooled water or process fluid through heat exchangers, efficiently removing excess heat from critical process points. By maintaining optimal temperatures, chillers help extend equipment lifespan, reduce maintenance costs, and maximize energy efficiency and manufacturing productivity.
Manufacturing plants and other industrial environments often face significant heat accumulation due to continuous operation of industrial equipment. This can quickly create unsafe or uncomfortable conditions for employees and negatively impact manufacturing output. To protect worker safety, meet regulatory standards, and enhance comfort, facility managers deploy industrial chilled water systems or HVAC chillers—often paired with air handling units—to distribute chilled air throughout workspaces, much like commercial air conditioning. Integration of air-cooled chillers or air cooling chillers allows flexible installation on rooftops, inside mechanical rooms, or adjacent to buildings. Sophisticated temperature control systems help manage climate conditions with precision, lowering the risk of heat stress and improving overall operational performance.
In plastic manufacturing—particularly injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion—precise process temperature control is vital for ensuring product consistency and dimensional accuracy. Excessive or insufficient cooling can result in defects, warping, or poor surface finish. Industrial chillers supply a controlled cooling bath or deliver process water at specific setpoints, managed via a heat exchanger, to remove process waste heat from molds and extrusion lines. Proper cooling preserves cycle time efficiency and material integrity, directly impacting throughput and the quality of plastic components produced for diverse applications ranging from automotive to consumer goods.
Metal finishing processes—including electroplating, electroless plating, anodizing, and chemical etching—routinely generate intense heat in chemical baths and process tanks. If left unregulated, these temperatures can degrade coating quality and decrease bath longevity. Heavy-duty industrial chillers are integrated into plating lines to remove excess heat, providing accurate process cooling by circulating chilled water through external heat exchangers. Precisely controlled temperature helps deliver consistent metal coatings, supports chemical stability, and improves overall production yields in metal finishing operations.
Stringent temperature regulations in the food, beverage, and dairy industries make reliable process cooling essential. Industrial chillers play a critical role in food production by maintaining proper storage, fermentation, pasteurization, and packaging temperatures. Glycol chillers or water-cooled chillers are commonly used for applications such as chilling dough in bakeries, controlling fermentation tanks in breweries and wineries, or rapidly cooling cooked products to inhibit bacterial growth. As energy-efficient chillers maintain these setpoints, food quality is preserved, shelf life is extended, and compliance with health and safety requirements is ensured.
Power plants—including thermal, hydroelectric, and renewable facilities—produce substantial waste heat during the power generation process. Industrial chillers and central plant cooling systems are implemented to absorb and remove heat from turbines, generators, electrical rooms, and associated power plant components. By dissipating heat efficiently, chillers safeguard sensitive equipment, prevent system failure, and promote long-term reliability in mission-critical power generation environments.
Healthcare facilities and research laboratories depend on precise cooling solutions to ensure the safe operation of sensitive equipment and preservation of biological samples. Chillers are widely used to regulate temperatures in MRI scanners, CT scanners, linear accelerators (LINAC), and laboratory incubators, as these devices produce heat during operation. Dedicated medical chillers maintain optimal equipment temperatures, safeguard uptime, and support accurate medical imaging and diagnostics, making them indispensable in the medical sector.
The pharmaceutical industry relies on process chillers for stringent temperature control during chemical synthesis, reaction vessel cooling, crystallization, solvent recovery, and storage of temperature-sensitive compounds. Industrial chillers in this field—available in reciprocating, screw-driven, centrifugal, and absorption types—are engineered for high-precision, sanitary operation. Pharmaceutical chillers prevent batch contamination and ensure consistent clinical outcomes, supporting compliance with cGMP and FDA regulations. Both centralized and compact process chillers are utilized depending on production scale and specific cooling requirements.
Industrial laser systems, including CO2, fiber, and diode lasers, as well as high-power optical and medical lasers, demand rigorous temperature management to maintain optimal wavelength stability and maximum performance. Laser chillers are engineered to provide closed-loop water cooling that absorbs waste heat and preserves the operational precision of these sensitive laser sources. Dedicated industrial chillers for laser applications also help prevent thermal damage and reduce equipment maintenance, supporting consistent productivity in manufacturing and medical environments.
In construction, events, and industrial facility upgrades, there is a frequent need for short-term or emergency process cooling and HVAC systems. Temporary or rental chiller systems are deployed to provide heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and process cooling during planned shutdowns, seasonal demand spikes, or unexpected equipment failures. Portable industrial chillers, available as both air-cooled and water-cooled units, offer rapid deployment and flexible capacity to suit project-specific requirements. Their reliable performance, remote monitoring, and energy efficiency help contractors and facility managers maintain optimal climate and process conditions with minimal disruption.
There are three common reasons for the use of a temporary HVAC system, which include:
The portable industrial chiller shown below exemplifies a versatile, temporary cooling solution suitable for construction, industrial events, and emergency response. These units often feature user-friendly controls, variable-speed compressors, and real-time system diagnostics to ensure outstanding performance and reliability.
Industrial chillers play an essential role in process cooling for a wide range of commercial and manufacturing applications. Despite the variety of industrial chillers—such as air-cooled chillers, water-cooled chillers, and absorption chillers—these systems all operate on the same fundamental heat removal principle, driven by the refrigeration cycle. A crucial component of this process is the coolant or refrigerant (such as R410A or R134A), which has a significantly higher heat capacity than air, helping maintain precise, stable temperatures in demanding environments. The core concept behind an industrial chiller is that cooling involves efficiently extracting heat from a process, machine, or equipment and safely dissipating it into the ambient environment.
All industrial chiller systems are constructed with several vital components, including a condenser, compressor, expansion valve, and evaporator. These elements work together to circulate a fluid or refrigerant through a closed-loop system. During operation, the refrigerant transitions between liquid and vapor states: it first absorbs heat in the evaporator (becoming a low-pressure vapor), is then compressed (becoming a high-pressure, high-temperature gas), and finally releases heat in the condenser before recirculating. This continuous cycle allows the chiller to capture, remove, and reject unwanted process or ambient heat—ensuring optimal cooling for industrial processes, plastic molding, HVAC systems, food processing, and other heat-sensitive operations.
The compressor acts as the engine of the industrial chiller, taking refrigerant at low pressure and low temperature from the evaporator and compressing it into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas to enter the condenser. There are three main types of compressors used in modern chiller systems, each offering unique efficiency, capacity, and maintenance advantages for different industrial cooling needs:
After compression, the hot, pressurized refrigerant flows through coils in the condenser, where it is cooled by air (in air-cooled chillers) or circulating water (in water-cooled chillers). The condenser serves as a critical heat exchanger, allowing heat to be transferred away from the refrigerant and expelled to the outside environment. As the refrigerant releases heat and loses energy, it condenses back into a liquid form, ready to repeat the cycle.
In the evaporator, the now-liquid refrigerant rapidly expands, which lowers its pressure and causes it to absorb heat from the process fluid or secondary coolant loop. This process chills water, glycol mixtures, or process fluids that are used to cool production equipment, lasers, injection molding machinery, or HVAC applications. Common types of evaporators in cooling systems include copper coil, shell and tube heat exchangers, and plate heat exchangers, each selected for their efficiency and heat transfer capacity in specific industries.
The expansion valve—also referred to as a thermostatic or electronic expansion valve—precisely regulates the flow of refrigerant entering the evaporator. By adjusting to real-time cooling demand, the valve helps maintain optimal performance, reduces energy consumption, and protects the system from inefficiencies or ice formation.
The fluid circuit, also known as the process water loop, is the network of pipes and components that delivers the cooled fluid to equipment, process lines, or air handlers. This circuit is vital for industrial applications where precise temperature control and heat removal are essential to maintaining product quality and equipment performance.
The pump is responsible for circulating chilled water or a water/glycol mixture from the chiller unit throughout the process or building. Proper flow rate is essential to ensure consistent cooling and prevent thermal stress on critical process equipment or sensitive electronics. Variable speed pumps are often used in modern chiller plants to improve energy efficiency and adapt to changing load conditions.
The filter removes contaminants, particulates, and debris from the circulating fluid, protecting the chiller’s internal components and the equipment it cools. A well-maintained filtration system minimizes fouling, corrosion, and the risk of costly downtime, making it an essential part of any industrial chiller maintenance program.
An external heat exchanger is often integrated for processes that require complete separation between the chiller refrigerant and process fluids (such as in pharmaceutical, food, or semiconductor manufacturing). Typical chiller external heat exchangers include submersible cooling coils, plate-and-frame heat exchangers, shell and tube models, or jacketed process tanks. These heat exchangers help maximize energy transfer and maintain sanitary or closed-loop conditions for critical process cooling applications.
While the condenser acts as a primary heat exchanger within the chiller, many systems incorporate additional heat exchangers in the fluid circuit to improve temperature control, system redundancy, or recover waste heat for other uses. Selecting the right type of heat exchanger is a key aspect of designing an efficient and reliable chiller system for your facility's process cooling requirements.
Chillers are among the largest consumers of electrical energy in commercial buildings and manufacturing facilities, so maximizing chiller energy efficiency is a top priority. Chiller performance and energy consumption are typically measured using the Coefficient of Performance (COP) and the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)—metrics that help facility managers evaluate and compare operational costs. A high COP or EER rating indicates that the chiller provides more cooling for each unit of energy consumed.
However, since chillers often operate under partial load conditions for most of the year, relying solely on full-load COP or EER can be misleading. The Integrated Part Load Value (IPLV), established by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), offers a more accurate evaluation. IPLV measures energy performance at varying load levels, providing a realistic efficiency rating based on typical operating conditions, rather than best-case scenarios. Key energy-saving features—such as variable speed drives, advanced control systems, and seasonal energy adjustments—can further improve a chiller’s IPLV score.
Understanding these energy efficiency metrics allows facility owners and engineers to make informed purchasing decisions, estimate the life-cycle costs and return on investment, and comply with LEED, ASHRAE, and other green building standards. Since process chillers and HVAC chillers account for significant utility expenses, investing in high-efficiency chiller systems reduces energy consumption, decreases operating costs, and supports sustainable, eco-friendly facility operations.
When selecting an industrial chiller, it’s crucial to evaluate factors such as cooling capacity, reliability, total cost of ownership, refrigerant type, and compatibility with your facility’s process requirements. Consulting with HVAC engineers or chiller manufacturers can help you determine the optimal system design for energy efficiency, performance, and long-term savings.
Industrial chillers are categorized based on how the refrigerant releases absorbed heat and the type of compressor used. Additionally, there are specially designed chillers that serve unique and specific functions. Due to ongoing technological advancements and changes in chiller designs, it is not feasible to compile a comprehensive list of all types of industrial chillers.
Water-cooled industrial chillers are typically paired with a cooling tower and utilize a condenser water treatment system to eliminate mineral deposits. The cooling tower supplies water to the chiller, where it is then cooled.
An air-cooled industrial chiller is employed where heat discharge is not a concern. It absorbs heat from the circulating water and transfers it into the air. First, the evaporator absorbs heat from the chilled water, and then the condenser releases this heat into the air as the refrigerant condenses.
Screw industrial chillers, available in both water-cooled and air-cooled versions, utilize a helical rotor to compress and circulate refrigerant vapors.
Screw industrial chillers, which come in both water-cooled and air-cooled versions, use a helical rotor to compress and circulate refrigerant vapors.
Centrifugal industrial chillers employ compression to transform kinetic energy into static energy, thereby increasing the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant. The impeller blades draw in the refrigerant and compress it.
In an absorption industrial chiller, a generator utilizes steam or hot water to convert the refrigerant into vapor. This vapor then moves to the condenser before returning to the absorber. In the absorber, the refrigerant vapor is absorbed by a solution, which subsequently condenses to release heat.
Reciprocating industrial chillers use pistons and a chamber to generate pressure in the refrigerant. They can be either sealed or open in design, with sealed units housing all components within a single enclosure. Because reciprocating chillers operate similarly to automobile engines, they require regular maintenance.
Explosion-proof industrial chillers are built for heavy-duty applications and must adhere to specific National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) guidelines during construction. They feature a specially reinforced structure to safeguard against flammable materials and must be custom-ordered. Designed primarily for the protection and safety of workers, these chillers operate on the same principles as standard chillers but with enhanced reinforced protection.
Low-temperature industrial chillers are for industries that operate below freezing and require chillers that can produce temperatures at �40°F (-40°C). They are used for ice rinks, petrochemical cooling, chemical extraction, and medical, pharmaceutical, and food processing industries as well as product testing labs.
An evaporative industrial chiller utilizes the process of evaporation to cool air. As water evaporates, it turns into gas, carrying away high-energy particles and causing a significant drop in the surrounding air temperature. This cooling effect can be experienced when mist is introduced into a room. An evaporative chiller amplifies this natural evaporation process using advanced technology.
An evaporative industrial chiller operates using a water reservoir, a fan, and thick pads. The fan pulls in hot air, which then flows through the moist pads that absorb water from the reservoir. As the hot air passes through the pads, the surface water evaporates, resulting in a temperature drop of nearly 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Thermoelectric coolers (TECs) utilize the Peltier effect, which generates a heat flux at the junction of two different materials when a DC current is applied. In this setup, positive and negative semiconductors are arranged parallel in the thermal path and in series along the electrical path. When voltage is applied, electrons transport heat to one side, cooling the other side. The heat is then absorbed by a heat sink and expelled into the ambient air by fans.
A TEC assembly can be mounted directly onto a cold plate or used to cool a refrigerant liquid. TECs are typically employed in applications where the cooling requirement is less than 400 watts.
The term "laser" stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. A laser is produced when electrons in the atoms of optical materials—such as glass, crystal, or gas—absorb energy from an electrical current. This energy excites the electrons, causing them to move from a lower to a higher energy state and emit electromagnetic radiation.
In ordinary light, light waves travel in various wavelengths and directions, each wavelength corresponding to a different color with distinct peaks and valleys. To the naked eye, this light appears white. In contrast, a laser beam consists of coherent light, with all the waves moving in the same direction and synchronously aligned peaks and valleys. The concentrated light energy in a laser produces a substantial amount of heat.
When laser light is aimed at a surface, its light energy converts into heat, which can cut, melt, or burn the material. This process generates heat that must be managed to maintain the laser’s efficiency and prevent damage. Industrial lasers employ various chillers and cooling methods to keep the temperature constant.
Laser chillers are designed to dissipate heat generated during the laser process, helping to maintain the laser's wavelengths and ensure beam quality. High-powered lasers typically require robust water-cooled chillers, while lower-powered lasers can be effectively cooled using other methods, such as different types of fans.
Cold plates are essential for cooling lasers and are used in conjunction with recirculating chiller systems. They come in various forms, such as tubed and aluminum vacuum-brazed designs.
Cold plates can be mounted on the laser and receive cooling liquids from a chiller. The heated liquid from the process is then returned to the chiller. In some cases, the cold plate can also be designed to function as the electrodes in a laser system.
Vapor compression industrial chillers use a refrigerant that circulates through an evaporator, compressor, condenser, and expansion valve. This process is highly efficient for cooling high-wattage loads while consuming less energy. In a laser system, a vapor compression chiller can be employed by adjusting the evaporator cycle. Alternatively, other cooling methods involve running the refrigerant directly through the cold plate.
The vapor-compression style of liquid chiller is the most commonly used cooling method for high-powered lasers. These chillers can cool up to 10 kW and are compatible with all types of lasers.
The miniature rotary compression system has become a popular method for cooling lasers. Advances in rotary compressors have enabled the miniaturization of compression systems to handle heat loads of up to 100 watts. This compact design is widely used with lasers due to its efficiency and space-saving advantages.
Miniature rotary compressor chillers are portable and offer precise temperature control. They provide cooling capacities ranging from 3 kW to 140 kW and operate within temperature ranges of 20 °F to 80 °F (-6.6 °C to 26.6 °C).
In a direct expansion chiller system, the refrigerant flows directly through the cold plate and is driven by the compressor, eliminating the need for a water cooling loop and simplifying the system. This design removes the requirement for a secondary coolant loop. During this process, the refrigerant undergoes an isothermal phase change, providing exceptional temperature control across the cold plate.
Direct expansion systems include the standard components of a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator, which absorb heat directly. They offer a compact cooling solution with a miniature rotary compressor. The key advantage of this system is its precise temperature control. Direct expansion cooling systems are specifically designed for high heat flux applications, such as laser cutting and burning.
Although the fundamental operation of industrial chillers is consistent across different types, regular maintenance is essential to ensure optimal performance. Like any industrial equipment, scheduled monitoring and inspections are crucial. Manufacturers strongly recommend adhering to their guidelines for maintaining and checking chiller components to ensure they operate according to specifications.
Heat transfer is a crucial aspect of a chiller’s operation. Condenser coils can become clogged or obstructed, affecting the free passage of air.
An industrial chiller's performance is heavily reliant on the refrigerant. Incorrectly charged refrigerants can significantly affect the chiller's efficiency and operation.
Water used in cooling towers must meet specific flow parameters. Debris, dirt, solids, and contaminants can disrupt water flow and adversely affect the chiller’s performance.
To ensure optimal performance from a chiller, all reservoirs should be regularly checked to confirm they have an adequate supply of fluids.
Chillers perform optimally at 50 °F (10 °C). Unmonitored temperature fluctuations can negatively impact their operation. To achieve the best results, regularly checking the glycol inlet and outlet temperatures helps identify potential issues early.
All equipment accumulates dirt and dust during the manufacturing process. To maintain peak efficiency, regularly clean the exposed parts of the chiller and replace filters to prevent clogging.
Air cooled chillers are refrigeration systems that cool fluids and work in tandem with the air handler system of a facility. Air cooled chillers are types of chillers that rely on the use of fans to reject heat outside the...
A glycol chiller is a chilling system that uses a percentage of glycol mixed with water to create extremely low temperatures far beyond the freezing point of water. The two types of glycol are ethylene glycol based or propylene glycol based...
Laser cooling is a multi-process that includes a number of techniques in which atomic and molecular samples are cooled down to a temperature near absolute zero. These techniques depend on...
A water chiller, or chilled water system, is a type of refrigeration system which uses water as a secondary refrigerant. They are used for larger, more complex, heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) applications...
Cooling towers are specialized heat exchangers that remove heat from water mainly by means of latent heat loss from evaporation while coming into contact with an airstream. Aside from evaporative cooling, water is also cooled by sensible heat transfer due to the temperature difference between air and water...
Heat exchangers are pieces of equipment used to transfer heat between two or more fluids. This process usually involves abundant working or utility media such as water or air that rejects or absorbs heat from a more valuable fluid such as crude oil, petrochemical feedstocks, and fluidized products...
Open loop cooling tower makes use of direct contact with the air in order to cool down the water. It is essentially a heat exchanger. In these types of cooling towers, there is the partial heat transfer due to heat exchange between...
A plate heat exchanger (PHE) is a compact type of heat exchanger that utilizes a series of thin metal plates to transfer heat from one fluid to the other. These fluids are typically at different temperatures...
A shell and tube heat exchanger (STHE) is a type of heat exchanging device constructed using a large cylindrical enclosure, or shell, that has bundles of perfectly spaced tubing compacted in its interior. Heat exchanging is the transfer of heat from one substance or medium to a similar substance or medium...