Theme 14.Industrial Chillers

Task1. Topical Vocabulary

Task2. Read the text.

Industrial Chillers

Chiller Basics:

An industrial chiller is a refrigeration cooling system that is being used to cool a process application or industrial environment/workspace. An Industrial chiller will typically operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and in some applications can be located in a hazardous or coastal environment.

There are several main components to an industrial chiller.

Compressor Basics:

The compressor is the heart of a refrigeration system. It compresses the refrigerant, which raises the system pressure and temperature.

High efficiency scroll compressors are excellent for smaller process cooling loads. They are commonly used in portable chillers.

Rotary screw compressors have been used in process cooling applications for approximately 20 years now. This compressor is unique because it can provide infinitely variable capacity control which helps you maintain incredibly close temperature control at your process. They are best suited for refrigeration systems in the 50 – 500 ton range.

Condenser Basics:

In the condenser, the heat of the process as well as the heat of compression are removed by a lower temperature medium, either by air or water.. An air cooled condenser features a coil and set of fans, similar to a radiator. Air cooled condensers are more common as they do not require any outside sources (i.e., water) for cooling. Smart Freeze features pre-coated aluminum condenser fins for prolonged life and enhanced corrosion resistance. We also utilize wider fin spacing than most manufacturers which helps to reduce fouling and increase condenser life.

Evaporator Basics:

 Inside the evaporator, as the process medium is cooled, the refrigerant boils and evaporates, turning into a low temperature, low pressure vapor.

Brazed plate evaporators are highly efficient, compact, and constructed of non-ferrous materials. They are less expensive than shell & tube evaporators and are typically featured on smaller tonnage chillers.

Shell & Tube evaporators are the preferred design for larger industrial chiller systems. This evaporator is basically a carbon or stainless steel shell with a tube bundle inside of it. The tubes can be constructed of copper, stainless steel, or cupro-nickel. The refrigerant passes through the tubes while the refrigerant travels through the evaporator barrel or shell. This design typically offers slightly lower pressure drop than brazed plate designs and is also capable of being repaired in the field, if necessary.