Usage parameters and requirements for chiller selection

In industrial production, mechanical equipment generates heat during operation. If this heat cannot be dissipated in a timely manner, it will affect the normal operation of the equipment, as well as the quality and production efficiency of the products. In this case, a chiller is needed. But after determining the use of a chiller, what are the parameters and requirements for selecting a chiller? Here is the sharing from the Jimes Refrigeration editor:

1. Cooling capacity

The cooling capacity of a chiller is directly related to the normal use of production equipment and operating efficiency. If the cooling capacity is too small, the ideal cooling effect cannot be achieved, which can reduce production efficiency, increase operating energy consumption, or even cause the production equipment to malfunction and even shut down the production line. But if the selection is too large, it will waste energy and increase operating costs. In addition, the larger the cooling capacity of the chiller, the higher the price of the chiller. Therefore, selecting the appropriate cooling capacity is crucial.

2. Frozen water volume

The amount of chilled water, which is the ice water cooled by the chiller, directly acts on the cooled area. However, due to the size of its water flow rate, it will directly affect the heat transfer effect. This flow rate is calculated based on the material, density, and heat transfer ratio of the cooled area. Some equipment has specific requirements for the cooling flow rate because insufficient water cannot be cooled down. So the water flow rate is directly related to the operation of the chiller and the cooling effect of the production equipment.

3. Import and export temperature

When production equipment or raw materials need to be cooled during production and processing, there will be a temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of the pipeline connected to the chiller and the production equipment. This temperature difference is the actual heat generated by the production equipment, so that the chiller can be accurately calculated and selected.

4. Cooling medium

The cooling media generally include tap water, ethylene glycol solution, oils and fats, seawater, food and beverages, etc.

5. Volume, weight, specific heat, density of raw materials for production and processing

This can quickly and effectively calculate the required cooling capacity of the chiller. At the same time, record the time required for the initial temperature of the cooled material to drop to the target temperature, which is also a way to calculate the cooling capacity. It is also important to have a clear understanding of the maximum and minimum temperatures that production equipment or materials need or can withstand, in order to avoid any impact on the equipment or materials.

6. Air cooling or water cooling

Although air-cooled chillers and water-cooled chillers are both chillers, the cooling methods of the units themselves are different, so the installation methods are also different. Air cooled chillers are more convenient as they can be operated by connecting water pipes and power supply. However, the cooling effect is slightly worse than water-cooled chillers because the cooling method of air-cooled chillers is air, which is greatly affected by ambient temperature, and the installation position also needs to leave space around the chiller.

Water cooled chillers are called water-cooled because they use water to cool themselves. Water cooled chillers require the installation of a cooling tower to cool the unit, and have two more water pipes in pipeline engineering compared to air-cooled chillers. However, water-cooled chillers have much better performance than air-cooled chillers, and can even be one model smaller in selection. Therefore, under installation conditions, most users will choose water-cooled chillers.

That's all for the usage parameters and requirements of chiller selection. Chillers are commonly used in the plastic industry for injection molding and blow molding, metal processing cutting oil, welding equipment, die-casting and machining, chemical processing, pharmaceutical formulation, food and beverage processing, papermaking, cement processing, vacuum systems, X-ray diffraction, power supply and power plants, analytical equipment, semiconductors, compressed air and gas cooling.