WHAT IS THE ''CHILLER'' ?

WHAT IS THE ''CHILLER'' ?
The chiller is essentially devices that can take heat from one source and transfer it to another source. Its working principles are the known refrigeration cycle in thermodynamics. It basically consists of compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporator. The compressed and heated gas in the compressor is cooled in the condenser so that the heat is thrown to the environment. Then, due to the pressure of the gas passing through the expansion valve, its temperature drops and it liquefies. While passing through the evaporator, it takes the heat from the liquid to be cooled, comes to the compressor as a gas at low pressure, and is compressed again. The cycle continues in this way.
COOLING GROUP
It is possible to group Chiller devices according to their different characteristics, but the most decisive distinction is the source of heat removal.If the heat is thrown into the air, we can diversify it as an air source chiller, and if it is thrown into the water, we can diversify it as a water source chiller. Apart from this, the devices can be differentiated according to the hermetic or semi-hermetic compressor, the characteristics of the refrigerant used and the type of heat exchanger.
AIR SOURCE COOLING GROUP
This type of cooling group has condenser coils with fans on it. Compressed and high temperature gaseous refrigerant is sent to the condenser by the compressor. Heat transfer takes place by providing air flow on the coil surface with the help of fans. In this way, the heat on the gas is transferred to the air and this type of chiller is called air-cooled.
WATER COOLED COOLING GROUP
In terms of working principle, there is not much difference with the air source chiller. Shell & tube or plate type heat exchangers, which use water instead of air-cooled coils, are used to cool the gas. The water source here can be an endless source such as a natural river or lake, but since it is often not possible to find such an environment, water-cooled chiller groups can be used efficiently with cooling towers.
AIR AND WATER SOURCED COOLING GROUP COMPARISON
The biggest differences between devices that use air and water as a source are the environment in which they will work and their energy efficiency. Air-cooled devices are usually located on the roofs of buildings or in gardens, open to the atmosphere, the environment in which the device is located is not important since heat is not released into the air in water-cooled devices. When we look at energy efficiency, the water source chiller is quite efficient compared to the air source chiller. While the air source chiller tries to throw the heat into the air depending on the dry bulb temperature, the water source tries to throw it into the colder water than the air. Therefore, the water source chiller operates more comfortably and efficiently. Another issue is that air-sourced devices become incapable of cooling in very hot climates. In order to throw heat into the already hot air, the condensation temperatures in the devices rise considerably, which causes performance and capacity losses. It is recommended to use water-cooled devices in such hot climates. In terms of maintenance, the air-sourced chiller is more advantageous than water-cooled devices because it is one-piece and has less mechanical parts.