What is a fluid chiller?
A fluid chiller, also known as a thermo chiller, is a refrigeration system that meticulously controls the temperature of a liquid medium, usually water or a water-glycol mixture.
How does a fluid chiller operate?
At the core of the process lies a close-loop system, like an electrical circuit. The liquid to be cooled circulates continuously within this loop, making a cyclical journey from the chiller to the machine or process and back. The chiller operates as a thermostat, continuously adjusting the liquid's temperature to align with the predetermined setpoint.
The liquid, while carrying out its function in the machine or application, absorbs heat. Once warmed, it returns to the chiller to be cooled once more. The chiller then cools the liquid, restoring it to its desired temperature, preparing it for the next cycle.
The chiller functions as a dedicated cooling system, ensuring the liquid remains at a consistent temperature, maximising the efficiency of your machinery or process.
Fluid chiller types
Fluid chillers are classified into two primary configurations:
- Closed-Tank Chillers: All components within these industrial water chillers operate under positive pressure.
- Open-Tank Chillers: In these industrial water chillers, the tank is exposed to the atmosphere.
What types of chillers does SMC propose?
At SMC, our focus is exclusively on open-tank chillers, a specific type of water cooler where the upper tank is exposed to the atmosphere. Our open-tank chillers are designed for both indoor and outdoor installations and operations, offering adaptability for diverse applications. Their compatibility with dual frequencies (50/60 Hz) and diverse electrical supplies allows for seamless integration into global operations.
SMC's chiller range includes two main categories:
These industrial fluid chillers rely on a refrigerant gas circuit to maintain precise temperature control, available in either single-circuit or dual-circuit designs.
- Single-Channel: Designed to control a single cooling circuit, these chillers are available in both standard and rack-mounted formats.
- Dual-Channel: Designed to independently control two separate cooling circuits, each with its own specific temperature setpoint.
- Thermoelectric Chillers:
These fluid chillers employ Peltier elements to achieve precise temperature regulation.
SMC provides chillers designed to cool a wide range of circulating fluids, such as clean water, deionized water, water-glycol solutions, and fluorinated fluids.
When to use an industrial fluid chiller
Industrial fluid chillers offer superior cooling stability, guaranteeing consistent and reliable temperature control for your processes. This leads to improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), contributing to enhanced productivity and minimised downtime.
There are numerous scenarios where the implementation of industrial fluid chillers is highly recommended:
- Industrial Water Cooling: While this method appears straightforward, it can introduce quality concerns due to potential contaminants in the water source like wells or pools. Theses sources mya contain contaminants such as algae, particles, or scaling, which may lead to system malfunctions.
- Cooling Tower Water: Cooling towers are often prone to fluctuating cooling performance and require significant ongoing maintenance and water treatment expenses. These drawbacks can render industrial fluid chillers a more attractive and economically viable option.
- Municipal Water Cooling (potable water): Industrial fluid chillers provide a solution to reduce the costs associated with potable water supply and discharge. This not only leads to significant financial savings but also contributes to enhanced energy efficiency.
- Lack of or inadequate cooling method: If an existing chiller is outdated, it will likely require significant maintenance expenses, rendering a new chiller a more attractive and budget-friendly option. Furthermore, new applications may necessitate specialised cooling solutions, requiring a thorough evaluation of the most appropriate option.
Selecting the Right Industrial Chiller
The primary consideration for selecting a fluid chiller is its cooling capacity, defined as the amount of heat the chiller can dissipate per unit of time.
The secondary consideration to consider is pump capacity, encompassing both flow rate and pressure. These two values are interrelated and can be found on the "Flow-Pressure" charts provided in our catalogues.
If the cooling capacity or heat dissipation value is uncertain, you can calculate and size the fluid chiller by utilising the following data:
- Flow rate
- Supply temperature
- Return temperature
To ensure accurate sizing, both flow rate and discharge pressure should be considered. Additionally, ambient temperature plays a significant role in adjusting the sizing calculations.
Chiller sizing can be achieved either manually or by employing our advanced chiller selection software. This engineering tool offers comprehensive cooling capacity and pumping capacity charts, empowering you to select the most suitable chiller for your specific requirements.
Need assistance in selecting an industrial chiller? Contact our temperature control specialists.