Chillers – Types, Working & Applications
Chiller is one of the most important cooling equipment used in laboratories. The main function of a laboratory chiller is to remove heat from one substance and pass it to other sources like ambient water or air. Chiller is a compressor based equipment that cools and controls the temperature of a liquid unlike the air conditioners, which cools air. Besides compressor the other components of a chiller are a temperature controller, a reservoir and a recirculating pump.
Types of Chillers
The classification of chillers can be done on various basis like portability, working, etc. Here we have classified chillers on the basis of their functioning.
- Air-cooled chillers absorb heat from process water and is transferred to the ambient air. They are mostly used in applications where the heat discharged is not a factor. They don’t need a cooling tower and condense water pump. The maintenance of air cooled chillers are less than water cooled units. However they consume 10% more power.
- In water cooled chillers, heat is absorbed from process water and is transferred to a separate water source like a river, pond, cooling tower, etc. Mainly used at the places where the heat generated by air cooled chillers pose a problem. Due to their less consumption of power they are usually preferred by those seeking optimum efficiency of power consumption.
Functioning of Chillers
The working principle of a laboratory chiller is quite simple. The reservoir is filled with a fluid, typically water or an ethylene glycol/water mix, to be recirculated. The reservoir is connected to the equipment needed and power is provided to the chiller. Chiller’s functions are regulated by the controller. Individual users can set the parameters according to their requirements like temperature, flow and pressure. An internal strainer is used to keep the harmful particles away from the system.
Applications of Chillers
Cooling equipments are used in a number of industries. Some of the most common applications of chillers are:
- Chillers are used to cool the hot plastic in the plastic industry. It cools the plastic that is injected, blown extruded or stamped. They are also used to cool down the equipment used in the manufacturing process.
- In the printing industry, chillers are used to remove the heat generated by the printing rollers. They also help cooling the paper when it comes out of the ink drying ovens.
- Sophisticated chiller are used in the high powered electronics inside the machines like MRI and PET, used in the latest diagnostic tools.
- Chillers cool down the lasers and the source of power supply used to power them.
I am a laboratory analyst by profession working in this industry from last 10 years. I have been running a site http://www.laboratoryequipmentworld.com on laboratory equipments. It includes the largest range of laboratory apparatus and other updated info on market, trade fairs, news, etc.
