Water and Air-Cooled Chillers – Small Variations, Big Difference
Specialised businesses require dedicated tools and resources. Yet even specialised tools can vary in process and functionality, even if they’re designed to service a similar set of tasks. Chillers pose just one example of this, offering a variation of water-cooling options by way of different designs.
When it comes to specialised business tools, variations in design – even if on a slight scale – often equate to a greater focus on details. This, in turn, enables companies to hone in on and appoint the most applicable resources for their functional needs. For instance, chillers – used by a range of industries for water-cooling purposes – come in various forms; primarily, in units that cool by air and those that cool by water. Both function towards a similar purpose; yet their actual, varying processes can make a difference with regard to a company’s unique processes.
In terms of the components that make up water cooled chillers and air cooled chillers, the two pieces of equipment are very similar. Each product contains an evaporator, condenser, compressor, and an expansion valve. However, as their names suggest, water-cooled and air-cooled chillers differ in the way they refrigerate fluids. While air cooled chillers ‘reject’ heat into the air, water cooled chillers reject it into another water source – such as a cooling tower plant. This simple yet significant difference usually forms the basis upon which companies choose which type of chiller is best for them.
Air cooled chillers are known to be slightly less energy efficient than water cooled chillers, but they’re also less expensive to purchase and maintain – making them popular among many businesses and industries. However, water cooled chillers are often the ideal choice for facilities that have a ready water source, such as a cooling tower or plant chilled water system. Provided that the existing water system has sufficient reserve capacity to service any additional requirements placed on the system, a water chiller is the most practical choice.
Many companies are also influenced by environmental factors, such as whether or not a chiller uses non-CFC refrigerants, or durability – for instance, if a chiller can withstand harsh industrial settings. With varying attributes to each type of equipment, businesses are able to approach their water-cooling needs – whether through chiller rentals or purchases – with unique requirements and fine-tuned processes in mind.
