WHAT IS CHILLER?

BASICS OF CHILLER

There are various processes and equipment used in the manufacturing of products within a factory. Examples include welding machines, electromagnetic induction heating devices, laser processing machines, injection molding machines, cleaning machines, waterjet cutters, extrusion processes, and coolant fluids used in cutting operations. In all these cases, effective heat control is critically important.  

Typically, cooling towers and chillers are used to manage these heat sources. A chiller is a device that generates chilled water, which is then supplied and circulated to the target equipment that generates heat. To suppress the heat generated by the equipment, it is necessary to continuously supply chilled water at a stable temperature and flow rate.  

If this is not achieved, the heat will continue to rise, potentially leading to equipment failure, defective products, or increased cycle time. A chiller must have sufficient cooling capacity to handle the heat generated, as well as the ability to consistently supply chilled water with a stable temperature, flow rate, and water quality.  

The basic principle is similar to that of a household air conditioner, except it uses water instead of air. The refrigeration system (a heat exchange system using refrigerants) cools the water, which is then supplied and circulated via a pump.  

The main applications are as follows:  

1. Industrial chillers (0.5–250 kW): Used for manufacturing and testing processes within factories.  

2. Large screw chillers (100-2000 kW): Used for air conditioning in buildings and factories or as a central chilled water source for entire facilities.  

(Reference page: Applications of chillers)  

Industrial chillers may be used in a one-to-one configuration with the target equipment (or one-to-two, one-to-three, etc.), or a larger-capacity chiller may cover multiple devices. (Modular chillers, in particular, offer a highly efficient system that centralizes chilled water sources while allowing for future scalability. (Reference page:  As a central chiller for factory cooling water supply (centralization of cooling water sources))

In the past, chillers typically required external water tanks, water pumps, and control panels separate from the main chiller unit (which included the refrigeration system and control components). Modern industrial chillers, however, predominantly use "package-type" designs that integrate all necessary components within a single housing.

The package-type chiller can also be divided into the following two types:

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