Need a Chiller? Stay Cool with these Chiller Selection Tips

Cole-Parmer® Polystat® High-Capacity Recirculating Chillers

How to choose the right chiller

One chiller cannot control every heat load. Some chillers are designed to cool to very low temperatures while others are designed for only mid-range applications. Some designs can support very high flow rates of fluid while other may be designed for just a trickle of fluid. The same issues apply with ambient temperatures. Some chillers use refrigerant suited for a high ambient temperature environment while other refrigerants are formulated for cooler conditions.

Choosing the right size adds to the economies of its use. The optimum size needed is based on the amount of heat your application is generating, plus additional power to maintain temperature under varying loads.

Normally the manufacturer of the equipment you are cooling will supply heat removal information, which will include BTU/hr or watts to be removed along with flow rate and desired and inlet and outlet temperatures for the equipment. Read entire article to learn more.

Chiller types:

Portable chiller

A liquid cooling system on casters that can be relocated from one application to another with relative ease. It can be used to cool one or more heat generating devices.

Air-cooled chiller

These chillers absorb heat from process water and can be transferred to the surrounding air.Air-cooled chillers are generally used in applications where the additional heat they discharge is not a factor. They require less maintenance than water-cooled units and eliminate the need for a cooling tower and condense water pump. They generally consume approximately 10% more power than a water-cooled unit as a wet surface transfers heat better than a dry surface.

Water-cooled chiller

These chillers absorb heat from process water and transfer it to a separate water source such as a cooling tower, river, pond, etc. They are generally used for large capacity applications, where the heat generated by an air-cooled chiller creates a problem. They are also considered when a cooling tower is already in place, or where the customer requires optimum efficiency of power consumption. Water- cooled chillers require condenser water treatment to eliminate mineral buildup. Mineral deposits create poor heat transfer situations, that reduce the efficiency of the unit.

Selection process

Water

Air

1. Adequate water supply available from tower or well source 1. Adequate water supply not available from tower or well sources.
2. Water supply is of good quality. 2. Water supply is not of good quality.
3. Heat recovery is not practical or unimportant. 3. Heat recovery is practical and important.
4. Plant ambient temperatures consistently exceed 95º F. 4. Plant ambient temperatures will not consistently exceed 95º F.
5. Ambient air is polluted with large dust and dirt particles. 5. Ambient air is not polluted with large dust and dirt particles.

 

Learn more. Read the entire article for more information.

Browse our complete line of recirculators and chillers.

 

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