Site ExplorerClose site explorer How does a chiller system work?Free Article DownloadHow can Clamp-on Ultrasonic Flow Meters save you energy costs?Download a white paper on optimizing system efficiencyTo the top of the pageChiller System OverviewChillers use either a vapor-compression or absorption refrigerant cycle to cool a fluid for heat transfer. Both chiller types rely on three basic principles.First - When a liquid is heated it vaporizes into a gas, and when a gas is cooled it condenses into a liquidSecond - Lowering the pressure above a liquid reduces its boiling point and increasing the pressure raises itThird - Heat always flows from hot to cold.To the top of the pageBasic Cooling CycleThe basic cooling cycle is the same for both vapor-compression and absorption chillers. Both systems utilize a liquid refrigerant that changes phase to a gas within an evaporator which absorbs heat from the water to be cooled. The refrigerant gas is then compressed to a higher pressure by a

generator, converted back into a liquid by rejecting heat through a condenser and then expanded to a low- pressure mixture of liquid and vapor that goes back to the evaporator section.  The cycle is repeated. To the top of the pageVapor Compressor ChillerA vapor-compression chiller consists of four primary components of the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. They include a compressor, evaporator, condenser and a metering device.replacing in wall ac unitVapor-compression chillers typically utilize HCFC or CFC refrigerants to achieve a refrigeration effect. 5 ton ac unitCompressors are the driving force in a vapor-compression chiller and act as a pump for the refrigerant. how to tell if ac unit is brokenCompressed refrigerant gas is sent from the compressor to a condenser unit that rejects the heat energy from the refrigerant to cooling water or air outside of the system.

The transfer of heat allows the refrigerant gas to condense into a liquid which is then sent to a metering device. The metering device restricts the flow of liquid refrigerant which causes a drop in pressure. The drop in pressure causes the warm refrigerant liquid to change phase from liquid to gas and in doing so absorbs heat from the water to be cooled due to The metering device is positioned so that the expanding refrigerant gas is contained within the evaporator, transferring the heat energy from the water to be cooled into the refrigerant gas. The warm refrigerant gas is then sent back to the compressor to start the cycle over again and the newly chilled water in the separate loop can now be used for cooling. To the top of the pageAbsorption ChillerAn absorption chiller uses a heat source to drive the refrigeration cycle in place of a mechanical compressor. Absorption chillers utilize two fluids which include a refrigerant, typically water and an absorbent, typically a lithium bromide solution or ammonia.

These liquids are separated and recombined in the absorption cycle where due to the low pressure conditions the water can more easily change phase than it normally would, and the high affinity of the two liquids promotes easy absorption. The cycle begins with a mixture of liquid refrigerant water and absorbent that is heated at a higher pressure to boil the water out of solution. The refrigerant water vapor is then sent past a condenser coil where heat rejected and it is condensed into a high pressure liquid. The liquid refrigerant water is then sent to the lower pressure evaporator where through adiabatic flash evaporation returns to a gas, absorbing the heat from the water to be chilled. The concentrated liquid absorbent from the generator is sent back to be recombined with the low-pressure refrigerant vapors returning from the evaporator starting the cycle over again. To the top of the pageCooling TowersThe heat energy absorbed by the chiller needs to be rejected out of the system and into the atmosphere.

Evaporative heat rejection devices called cooling towers are typically used to lower the water temperature in large chiller systems. Did this information help you?yesnoThe ground absorbs nearly half of the solar energy our planet receives. As a result, the earth remains at a constant, moderate temperature just below its surface all year round. However, air temperature varies greatly from summer to winter, making air source (traditional) heating and cooling least efficient when you need it the most. Geothermal heating and cooling systems take advantage of the stable temperature underground using a piping system, commonly referred to as a “loop.”   Water circulates in the loop to exchange heat between your home, the ground source heat pump, and the earth, providing geothermal heating, cooling, and hot water at remarkably high efficiencies. In fact, ClimateMaster geothermal heating and cooling systems are 400-600% efficient and can cut your heating, cooling, and hot water costs by up to 80%.

Interested in how geothermal energy can work in your home? Contact one of our friendly local dealers through the form on the right or use our easy geothermal savings calculator to see how much you could be saving with geothermal heating and cooling! During the winter, ClimateMaster geothermal heating and cooling systems absorb heat stored in the ground through the water that circulates in its underground loop. This heat is carried to the ground source heat pumps where it’s concentrated and then sent as warm, comfortable air throughout your home. When you need heating the most, the air outside is coldest. As a result, a traditional air source heat pump works hard to extract the amount of heat from the cold air needed to properly heat your home. In contrast, a geothermal heat pump system consumes less energy as it easily absorbs ground heat from the abundant supply stored below your home, making geothermal heating significantly more energy efficient. Gas furnaces burn natural gas to provide heat for your home and are only 98% efficient, while geothermal systems use significantly less energy collecting heat from the earth, achieving 400-600% efficiencies.

During the summer, ClimateMaster geothermal heating and cooling systems absorb heat from your home and transfers it to the underground loop where it is then absorbed by the cooler earth. The geothermal heat pump uses the cool water returning from the ground to create cool, dehumidified air conditioning for your home. When you need cooling the most, the outside air is hottest. A traditional air source heat pump must work hard to force the heat from your home into the already heat saturated air. In contrast, a geothermal heat pump consumes less energy as it easily rejects heat into the cool earth, making geothermal cooling significantly more energy efficient. How does geothermal heating and cooling directly compare with more traditional methods to heat and cool your home you probably use? Especially when it comes to HOW systems provide heating and cooling? This video answers your questions. America’s Most Trusted HVAC Brands Lifestory Research ranked the most trusted HVAC brands in America.