The Water Cooled Centrifugal Chiller is a fantastic machine that uses a compression refrigeration cycle to generate massive amounts of ice water for applications with high thermal loads.
The best part? It’s surprisingly simple to understand!
- This chiller uses a centrifugal compressor with an impeller wheel that spins at a high speed.
- As the coolant enters, it acquires the speed of the impellers and moves radially under the effect of centrifugal force.
- The refrigerant then leaves the impeller and enters the compressor volute, which is a curved funnel that increases in area as it approaches the discharge port. By doing this, it increases its cross-sectional area to convert the speed of the refrigerant into pressure. This results in coolant that has high pressure and is ready for use!
- Centrifugal chillers are perfect for handling large amounts of thermal load and typically have a water-cooled condenser.
- They also have few friction parts, which means they’re very efficient and easy to maintain. Plus, the frictionless operation means that the vibration of the chiller is close to zero.
- To control the capacity of the compressor, vanes at the inlet of the centrifugal compressor are used. As the blades close, the flow of refrigerant entering the compressor reduces, and the compressor revolutions are reduced to generate the required pressure.
- Magnetic bearings improve the efficiency and increase the life of the machine, and some centrifugal chillers do not require oil.
- Not using oil increases the efficiency of the chiller heat exchangers. The partial load efficiency indicator “IPLV” can reach 13, and the chiller can consume 30 to 50% less energy. Centrifugal chillers can have a useful life of up to 30 years.
- In summary, the Water Cooled Centrifugal Chiller is a reliable and efficient machine that can handle large amounts of thermal load. Its simple operation, low maintenance, and energy efficiency make it an excellent option for any application with high thermal loads.
