Air‑Cooled Industrial Chillers deliver high-performance, compact process cooling solutions ranging from approximately 3 kW to 1,400 kW, perfect for facilities lacking condenser water supplies. These chillers combine precision temperature control, reduced operational noise, and flexible hydraulic configurations, enabling efficient integration across diverse sectors such as plastics, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, medical, and manufacturing. Their robust design ensures easy maintenance and long-term reliability without requiring water-based condenser systems.
An Air Cooled Chiller is a cooling system designed to remove heat from a certain space by utilising ambient air as the primary medium for heat rejection.
Here, cooled fluids are circulated throughout a system, absorbing heat and reducing the temperature of the target area. These fluids are then passed through the chiller, which releases air to reduce the temperature of that very fluid which, once cooled, will be passed back around the system on a loop.
Unlike HVAC units, industrial chillers are built to handle the direct cooling of various manufacturing processes (like brewery cooling, plastics cooling, and hydroponic cooling). By comparison, HVAC chillers are designed to regulate the environmental temperatures within designed spaces.
Our Air Cooled units provide advantages which make them a popular choice for various applications.
First and foremost, these machines offer energy efficiency and environmental benefits. Water Cooled Chillers require a cooling tower, which uses energy through continuous water circulation and maintenance. By contrast, Air Cooled Chillers operate without these and are designed with condenser coils for optimal heat dissipation. This allows them to provide effective cooling, whilst minimising energy consumption.
Air Cooled Chillers have significantly fewer installation costs. As our systems offer a modular design, they don’t require a water infrastructure – of cooling towers, pumps, and pipes. Instead, their simplified design allows for straightforward installation and maintenance. This means our Air Cooled Chillers promise fewer upfront and long-term costs.
These Chillers are also incredibly flexible. Because they do not require proximity to a water source for their operation, they can be installed in various locations and applications thanks to their compact design.
We also offer systems which record their operating status, working conditions, and alarm history. This makes maintaining these machines much easier and ensures that your system will reliably serve you for years to come.
Air Cooled Chillers are essential in various sectors, playing a crucial role in regulating temperatures and maintaining optimal conditions for different processes. For example:
These are just a few of the sectors which Summit Process Cooling serves. We provide cooling solutions for all industries, so get in touch today to discuss your unique cooling needs.
A standard Air Cooled Chiller operates by transferring heat through a water circuit and expelling it into the ambient air. The process initiates when water circulates a loop, absorbing heat from its surroundings. This warmed water then gets returned to the chiller. The heat transfer occurs in an evaporator where the absorbed heat transfers to the refrigerant, while the water continues its journey through the primary supply to the cooled space.
Next, the refrigerant, now carrying the heat, travels through the compressor, increasing its pressure and temperature. Upon reaching the condenser, fans facilitate the circulation of outside air which absorbs the heat from the refrigerant.
The refrigerant, having released its heat, proceeds through the expansion valve and returns to the evaporator to repeat the cycle. This continued operation of the Air Cooled Chiller ensures a steady cooling process, effectively managing the ambient temperature.
Air Cooled and Water Cooled Chillers function similarly, cooling systems to regulate temperature, but they differ in their cooling methods.
Air Cooled Chillers use ambient air to remove heat, eliminating the need for additional cooling towers or water supply. They are generally easier to install and maintain but may consume more energy. On the other hand, Water Cooled Chillers use water in a cooling tower to dissipate heat, ideal for areas with a steady water supply and relatively low ambient temperatures.
Air Cooled Chillers and Cooling Towers are both types of cooling equipment, but their functions differ. Air-cooled chillers work by removing heat directly and transferring it to the surrounding air through compressors and heat exchangers.
By comparison, a Cooling Tower is a specialised heat exchanger in which air and water are brought into direct contact with each other in order to reduce the water’s temperature. As this occurs, a small volume of water is evaporated, reducing the temperature of the water being circulated through the tower.
Unlike chillers, Cooling Towers do not use refrigerant and are solely reliant on ambient air as a cooling medium. Therefore, supply temperatures will be much higher than our industrial chillers, typically no lower than 25-26 degrees celsius.
Summit Process Cooling offers an extensive selection of Chiller solutions, suitable for almost every application. These include:
To learn more, or for help choosing a bespoke solution which best suits your needs, get in touch with our expert team today.
Upon installation, our team is always available for after-sales and repair services, to ensure your solution optimally serves you long into the future.
Even if you didn’t buy your original chiller from us, our team is available to guide you and provides spare parts for various makes and models. Get in touch today to discuss your needs and to find out more.
We provide bespoke guidance and aid for technical issues, particularly during a breakdown. Our goal is to maintain operational continuity and enhance productivity for all cooling systems of our clients, regardless of whether they hold a maintenance contract with us or not.
Our expertise is not restricted to our own appliances; we are capable of offering the same quality of service on any equipment.
We recognise the importance of restoring your cooling system promptly in case of any operational issues. This is why we provide swift and effective chiller repair services – our certified technicians can arrive onsite seamlessly and replace parts to rectify any malfunctions on the first visit.
From emergency to maintenance packages, you can buy from us with peace of mind.
In need of a provisional industrial cooling solution? At Summit Process Cooling, we provide rental chillers, tailor-made for interim breakdown coverage or seasonal machinery that isn’t required all year round.
Whatever your needs, get in touch today for help choosing a system which meets your requirements.
