What is a fluid chiller?
A fluid chiller, also known as thermos chiller, is a refrigeration system that precisely regulates the temperature of a liquid medium, usually water or a water-glycol mixture, maintaining a specific temperature.
How does a fluid chiller function?
Central to the process is a closed-loop system, like a circuit. The liquid destined for cooling flows ceaselessly within this loop, journeying from the chiller to the machine or process, and then making its way back. Much like a thermostat, the chiller tirelessly monitors and adjusts the liquid's temperature, ensuring it aligns with the specified setpoint.
As the liquid diligently carries out its function within the machine or application, it absorbs heat. Once warmed, it makes its way back to the chiller.
The chiller subsequently reduces the liquid's temperature to the designated setpoint, readying it for another circulation.
The chiller serves as a dedicated cooling system, diligently regulating the liquid's temperature to ensure optimal performance within your machinery or process.
Fluid chiller types
Fluid chillers are categorised into two primary configurations:
- Closed-Tank Chillers: All components in these industrial water chillers are maintained under a positive pressure state.
- Open-Tank Chillers: The tank in these industrial water chillers is designed to be open to the atmosphere.
What types of chillers does SMC offer?
At SMC, we are dedicated solely to open-tank chillers, a particular type of water cooler distinguished by its upper tank open to the atmosphere. Our open-tank chillers offer the versatility of both indoor and outdoor installation and operation, making them ideal for a wide range of applications. Capable of operating on both 50 Hz and 60 Hz frequencies and compatible with a diverse range of standard electrical supplies, they ensure seamless integration into global operations.
Our chiller range comprises two main categories:
These industrial fluid chillers use a refrigerant gas circuit to regulate temperature, offered in single-circuit or dual-circuit configurations:
- Single-Channel: Designed to regulate a single cooling circuit, available in standard or rack-mounted formats.
- Dual-Channel: Designed to regulate two independent cooling circuits with separate setpoint temperatures.
- Thermoelectric Chillers:
These fluid chillers rely on Peltier elements to precisely control temperature.
SMC offers chillers designed to cool various circulating fluid types, such as clean water, deionized water, water-glycol solutions, and fluorinated fluids.
When using an industrial fluid chiller?
Industrial fluid chillers deliver exceptional cooling stability, ensuring precise temperature control for your processes. This results in optimised Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), leading to increased productivity and decreased downtime.
There are numerous applications where the use of industrial fluid chillers is recommended:
- Cooling with industrial water: Although this method appears straightforward, it can introduce quality concerns stemming from water source issues, such as wells or pools. These sources may contain contaminants such as algae, particles, or scaling, potentially leading to system failures.
- Cooling with cooling tower water: Cooling towers frequently exhibit poor cooling stability and incur substantial maintenance and water treatment expenses. These drawbacks can make industrial fluid chillers a more appealing and budget-friendly option.
- Cooling with municipal water (potable water): Industrial fluid chillers provide a mechanism to reduce potable water supply and discharge expenditures. This not only results in financial savings but also contributes to enhanced energy efficiency.
- Lack of or inadequate cooling method: If an existing chiller is obsolete, it will likely require substantial maintenance costs, making a new chiller a more attractive and economically viable solution. Additionally, new applications may have unique cooling requirements, making it crucial to carefully assess the most appropriate cooling method.
How to choose the adequate industrial chiller?
The key factor in selecting a fluid chiller is its cooling capacity, which refers to the amount of heat the chiller can effectively remove within a specific timeframe.
Another important parameter is pump capacity, which includes both the flow rate and pressure capabilities of the pump.
These two values are interconnected and can be found on the "Flow-Pressure" charts in our catalogues.
If you are unsure of the cooling capacity or heat dissipation value, you can calculate and size the fluid chiller using the following data:
To ensure accurate sizing, consider both flow rate and discharge pressure. Ambient temperature also influences sizing adjustments.
Chiller sizing can be done manually or using calculation tools like our chiller selection software. This engineering tool offers both cooling capacity and pumping capacity charts, helping you select the optimal chiller for your needs.
Need help choosing an industrial chiller? Consult our temperature control experts.
