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.
Air cooled chillers play a mission-critical role in keeping industrial and manufacturing processes at precise operating temperatures. Common use cases include:
Need help selecting a system for your sector? Contact Summit Process Cooling for tailored consultation and specification support.
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 cooling towers or water supply. They are generally easier to install and maintain but may consume more energy.
In contrast, Water Cooled Chillers rely on water circulated through a cooling tower, making them more suitable for environments with stable water access and cooler ambient conditions.
For a more in-depth comparison, visit our Air Cooled vs Water Cooled Chillers Knowledge Hub guide.
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.
