A compressor chiller is a key component in building cooling systems, responsible for cooling water in air conditioning systems or industrial processes. This equipment is designed and manufactured in both air-cooled and water-cooled types. The essential components for this system, which ultimately produces chilled water, include the water-cooled chiller, cooling tower, pumps, and associated piping.
In a water-cooled compressor chiller, the refrigerant is cooled by water through the cooling tower. This system is generally not used in humid climates and cooling production in water-cooled chillers is based on the evaporative compression cycle.
**Operation of a Water-Cooled Compressor Chiller:**
1. **Hot Water Inlet:** Hot water entering the chiller flows into the evaporator section.
2. **Evaporation:** In the evaporator, copper tubes containing the refrigerant absorb the heat from the water, cooling it down. The cooled water is then transferred back to the air handling units or fan coils.
3. **Compression:** The refrigerant, now warmed and converted to gas, enters the compressor. The compressor increases the pressure and temperature of the gas.
4. **Condensation:** The high-pressure gas then moves to the water-cooled condenser, where its temperature is reduced by water, converting it back to a liquid state.
5. **Expansion:** The liquid refrigerant passes through the expansion valve, where its pressure and temperature are lowered before returning to the evaporator.
6. **Cooling Tower:** Finally, the warm water from the condenser is sent to the cooling tower, where its temperature is reduced before being recirculated through the system.
This continuous cycle ensures efficient cooling and temperature control for the system.

• In the cooling tower, the water temperature is reduced through an evaporative and water spraying method, and ultimately, the water returns to the condenser.
• The air-cooled chiller can also be installed in indoor spaces, but the cooling tower section must be installed in an outdoor area.
• Water-cooled chillers have higher efficiency and coefficient of performance compared to air-cooled chillers. As a result, they have a lower nominal cooling capacity and smaller device dimensions.
• The maintenance cost of these chillers is higher compared to air-cooled types.