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Here, we often discuss household air conditioner types commonly used in apartments and country houses. However, a household device cannot cool the air in a large shopping center, warehouse, or production facility, where there are often temperature differences, many people, and large areas.
Industrial or, as they are also called, industrial air conditioners are widely used in workshops, warehouses, sports complexes, shopping centers, and other extensive facilities. One of the most common types of industrial air conditioners is a chiller-fan coil or simply a chiller.
In this article, we will briefly describe this air conditioning system, its key features, and what should be taken into account when choosing a chiller.
General information
The chiller can also be used in production as a refrigerator for equipment prone to overheating.
So, the chiller-fan coil is an air conditioning system. It is centralized and consists of one cooling device (chiller) and several heat exchangers (fan coils). Due to this design, the system is multi-zone, i.e., it can be used in several rooms at the same time. In addition to the chiller and fan coils, the system uses pipes, a pump, and an automatic regulation system.
A cooled liquid circulates under low pressure between the chiller and fan coils; it is a coolant. Ordinary water is used as a coolant in warm regions, and an ethylene glycol solution is used in regions with moderate or cold climates.
Chiller-fan coils are often compared to the so-called VRV / VRF systems. We already told you what a VRV / VRF air conditioner is; read below.
VRV/VRF systems use a gas refrigerant as a heat carrier. In this context, chiller-fan coils have several advantages:
The line length between the chiller and the fan coil can reach tens or even hundreds of meters. The VRV/VRF system cannot boast such indicators due to the high loss of heat capacity when the line is extended;
The chiller and fan coils are connected using conventional pipes; their operation is much cheaper than in VRV/VRF systems with a gas refrigerant, which requires a more careful selection of pipes and balancing;
The chiller-fan coil system is many times safer than the VRV/VRF system since a potential gas leak is almost impossible, and accidents in the pipes lead only to a leak or minor flooding of the room; this situation can be avoided if you use an automatic shut-off system;
Chiller fan coils are more economical. They consume less electricity when used in large areas, and their installation and maintenance are cheaper.
However, despite all their advantages, chillers cannot boast of technological advancement. In this way, they are inferior to VRV / VRF and other more modern air conditioning systems. A chiller fan coil will be a good purchase if reliability and low operation costs are a priority.
Vapor compression
The internal system of such a device is closed and consists of a compressor, evaporator, condenser, and flow regulator. Cooling is carried out due to the continuous boiling of the coolant and its subsequent condensation when passing through the system. Vapor compression chillers take up less space and are cheaper; they are easy to maintain and operate. This is the most common type of chiller;
Absorption
Such devices are reliable and economical in operation, but they are also expensive and take up a lot of space during installation. They are not very common, but they are often used at nuclear or thermal power plants since absorption chillers operate on thermal energy.
Criteria for choosing a chiller
choosing a chiller
When choosing a chiller for air cooling, you need to pay attention to several critical criteria:
Noise level
The chiller fan coil makes noise during operation. The noise level depends on many factors, from the quality of assembly to the presence of sound-absorbing inserts. If quiet operation is important to you, choose a chiller with a casing and spring supports. Also, pay attention to the shaft rotation speed. The lower it is, the quieter the device will work.
Temperature range
Like any other climate control equipment, a chiller is designed to operate in a given temperature range. Most devices work well in rooms with an initial air temperature of no higher than +35 degrees Celsius.
If you plan to use the chiller in a room where the average daily temperature exceeds +35 degrees, pay attention to the temperature range at which the device can operate effectively. The service documentation supplied with the chiller specifies this characteristic.
Also Read: The Versatile World of Ribbon Blenders in Industrial Applications
Coolant type, performance, and other technical features
Key characteristics of a chiller fan coil worth paying attention to are the type of coolant, unit performance, and energy-saving level. As we have already said earlier, ordinary water can often be used as a coolant. But if the unit is operated in a moderate or cold climate, the water can freeze, so in this case, it is worth using an ethylene glycol solution.
As for performance, everything is clear. The more powerful the unit, the larger the area of the cooled room can be. However, the level of energy saving plays an important role. Chillers traditionally consume less electricity than other types of air conditioners. However, powerful units can be unpleasantly surprised with their “gluttony.” Therefore, when choosing a chiller, you should pay attention to how much electricity the unit consumes and whether it can be used in economy mode.
Of the additional characteristics, the presence of automation is worth considering. The chiller must be equipped with protective and, if necessary, control automation. The better the device is equipped, the more convenient it is to operate. However, at the same time, the price increases when purchasing, installing, and maintaining it.
Also, pay attention to the presence of additional control elements. For example, the chiller can be equipped with a refrigerant distribution system, an oil cooler, oil filters, valves that regulate pressure and prevent refrigerant leakage, etc. All this, of course, makes the chiller’s operation convenient and safe.
Instead of a conclusion
A chiller fan coil is a device for cooling air used in industrial conditions: workshops, warehouses, places with large crowds of people, etc. The chiller is simple and reliable, and its installation and operation are inexpensive. However, in comparison with other multi-zone systems, the chiller-fan coil cannot boast technological advancement and rich functionality
We tried briefly describing the main features of chiller-fan coils and the nuances of choosing a device. If you want get more information about AC installation you could research more on our website.
However, this does not mean that the chiller is not equipped enough. Modern units are equipped with various automation, control valves, filters, and refrigerant distribution systems. The more equipped the chiller, the higher its price, but at the same time, the more convenient the operation.