Chiller Working Principle
The Cornerstone of Industrial and Commercial Cooling
Chiller systems are basic equipment that meet a wide range of cooling needs, from modern industrial facilities to large commercial buildings. So, how do these seemingly complex systems actually work? In this article, we will examine the basic working principle of chillers in an understandable language.
The Basic Dynamics of the Chiller Cooling Cycle
At the heart of chillers lies a thermodynamic process called the cooling cycle. This cycle is based on the principle of changing the physical states (liquid and gas) of a fluid (refrigerant) by taking heat from one environment and transferring it to another environment. This basic cycle consists of four main components:
1- Compressor: It is the starting point of the cycle. The compressor’s job is to mechanically compress the gaseous refrigerant at low pressure and temperature. This compression process significantly increases the pressure of the fluid and therefore its temperature. Just as a bicycle pump heats up as it compresses air, the compressor brings the refrigerant to a high-energy state.
P1,T1 (Low Pressure, Low Temperature, Gas) Compressor P2, T2 (High Pressure, High Temperature, Gas)
2- Condenser: The high-pressure and high-temperature gaseous refrigerant leaving the compressor enters the condenser. The condenser transfers the heat on this hot gas to the outside environment, allowing it to cool and turn into liquid. This heat transfer occurs through air (air-cooled condenser) or water (water-cooled condenser), depending on the design of the condenser. Just like the grills on the back of your refrigerator heat up, the condenser releases the heat that is removed from the system to the environment.
P2,T2 (High Pressure, High Temperature, Gas) Condenser (Heat Rejection) P3, T3 (High Pressure, Medium Temperature, Liquid)
3- Expansion Valve (Throttling Valve): The high-pressure liquid refrigerant leaving the condenser reaches the expansion valve. This valve restricts the passage of the fluid and reduces its pressure suddenly. As the pressure drops, the temperature of the liquid also drops significantly. This stage makes the refrigerant ready to absorb heat in the evaporator. Just as the liquid in a spray can cools down as it expands suddenly, the expansion valve also reduces the temperature of the refrigerant.
P3,T3 (High Pressure, Medium Temperature, Liquid) Expansion Valve (Pressure Drop) P4,T4 (Low Pressure, Low Temperature, Liquid-Gas Mixture)
4- Evaporator: The refrigerant in the form of a liquid-gas mixture at low pressure and temperature coming from the expansion valve enters the evaporator. The evaporator absorbs heat from the medium (usually water or air) that is desired to be cooled. As a result of this heat absorption, the liquid refrigerant evaporates and turns back into gas. The cooled water or air is then transported to areas that need cooling via fan coil units or other heat exchangers. Just as the coils inside your refrigerator stay cold and cool the air inside, the evaporator also provides cooling by absorbing heat from the medium.
P4, T4 (Low Pressure, Low Temperature, Liquid-Gas Mixture) Evaporator (Heat Absorption)P1, T1 (Low Pressure, Low Temperature, Gas)
Thanks to the continuous cycle between these four basic components, chiller systems transfer heat from a source to another environment, thus creating a continuous cooling effect.
Energy Transfer in Chiller Systems
The basic principle in chillers is to transfer heat from a cold environment to a hot environment, in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics. This process requires an energy input opposite to the natural flow. The compressor increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant by providing this energy input, thus enabling heat transfer to occur.
Similarities of Different Chiller Types in Terms of Working Principle
Whether it is air-cooled chiller, water-cooled or chillers with different compressor types, the basic working principle of all of them is based on the cooling cycle described above. The differences generally lie in how the condenser removes heat (with air or water) and the compressor’s compression mechanism. However, the principle of absorbing, transporting and removing heat is the same for all chiller types.
The working principle of Chiller systems is basically based on a cooling cycle. Thanks to the coordinated operation between the compressor, condenser, expansion valve and evaporator, heat is constantly taken from one environment and transferred to another. In this way, cooling, which is of vital importance in many areas from industrial processes to commercial air conditioning, is provided. Continuous developments in chiller technologies allow for the emergence of more efficient, environmentally friendly and smart cooling solutions.
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