Process Chillers

A process chiller is a refrigeration system using halocarbon or ammonia refrigerants that provide cooling for a process or industrial application. Since Cooling Technology, Inc only offers refrigeration systems, we will describe that type only. A refrigeration circuit consists of compressor(s), condenser(s), thermal expansion valve, and evaporator(s), at a minimum. Together, these components remove heat from a process load to provide consistent setpoint temperatures 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Process chillers are designed for the most rugged environments and conditions unlike commercial or HVAC chillers.

Process chillers for process cooling (or fluid chillers) have many commercial applications. In basic terms, a process chiller removes heat from fluid and transports that heat (energy) from a location that is not wanted to another more appropriate location. A good example of this would be an MRI or PET medical imaging system. When in operation, these systems can generate significant amounts of heat energy. If this energy is not removed quickly, these important medical diagnostic tools will cease to operate.

Process Chillers Types

The first step in determining the type of process (or fluid) chiller you need for your application it to determine how your chiller will reject the heat it has absorbed from the process. Below, are the two most common process chiller system types that represent over 98% of the market.

Air-cooled process chiller: As the name indicates, an air-cooled process chiller will reject process heat to the air. Typically these chillers are located outdoors thus transporting heat to the outside air.

Water-cooled process chiller: As the name indicates, a water-cooled process chiller will reject process heat to another fluid based medium. In most cases, heat rejection by water-cooled process chiller will go to an outdoor located evaporative cooling tower.