Are you looking for a new chiller
for your workplace? Are you confused about which chiller to buy such that it
fulfills your needs? Taking such an important decision like this one is a
daunting task for any engineer or business owner. The wrong decision can waste
both time and money.
Let’s discuss this issue in
detail.
Taking the Decision
Before actually visiting the
market and buying a chiller, it is of vital importance to determine the kind of
chiller that you need. You can either go for a water-cooled chiller or an
air-cooled one. If your goal is to upgrade an existing unit, you will have to
replace it with the same kind of chiller. On the other hand, if you are about
to handle a new installation, you need to spare a moment to reconsider your
options.
It is important for you to
understand the difference between a water-cooled chiller and an air-cooled
chiller. Remember, these chillers are named upon the kind of condensers they
use. An air-cooled chiller has a self-contained system and requires no outside
units. Unlike a water-cooled chiller, an air-cooled chiller is easy to install.
When it comes to water-cooled
chillers, they need a cooling tower along with a cooling tower supply pump to
cool the water. If you have a cooling tower on the plant, you best option is to
go for a water-cooled chiller.
Now that you have chosen between the
two types of chillers, the real game begins.
Screw Chillers VS Scroll Chillers
Choosing between scroll and screw
chiller is yet another challenging task. If you are looking for smaller chiller
go for a scroll chiller. However, if you need something bigger, choosing
between the two can become a little tricky. Here are some things that you need
to consider.
·
Scroll compressors are small when it comes to
size. However, with the advancement in technology, bigger compressors are
becoming available. For a larger load, you will require multiple compressors.
Never make the mistake of running them all on a single circuit. Doing so will
cost you heavily in the long run.
·
Screw compressors can range from 30 HP to 500
HP. For that size, there is no air-cooled condenser, big enough for its
accommodation. It can only work with a water-cooled chiller. These compressors
are perfect for the job when it comes to larger areas.
·
Scroll compressors work best with smaller
applications. They can run for long hours depending upon the size of the place
they are supposed to work in. If you
need to run a chiller 24/7, it is better to go with a screw chiller.
Choosing an Evaporator
Choosing the right evaporator for
your chiller is an important decision to take. For any application beyond 20
tons, it is wise to go for a DX Shell and tube evaporator instead of a brazed
plate. A brazed plate evaporator lacks the ability to handle fouling, although
it has copper brazing and stainless steel. Shell and tube evaporators, on the
other hand have a longer lifespan and better durability.