Managing Chillers Heat Rejection
A key consideration when selecting a chiller is: “Where will the heat go?”
Thermal Products represents Advantage Engineering, which manufactures a range of products, including temperature control units (TCUs) and evaporative water towers. However, its primary product line consists of water chillers. In general, there are three main types of water chillers, with the natural dissipation of heat being the primary concern.
Once the required capacity is determined, the next question our sales engineers ask is: “Where will the heat go?” This explanation will help you understand which chiller might be the best option based on the overall environment.
The standard MG series is the most economical design and is usually the first option considered. These are fully indoor chillers, with capacities ranging from as small as 0.25 tons to larger 40-ton models with a greater footprint. As air-cooled chillers, they rely on surrounding ambient air, which is drawn through the condenser and discharged via fans into the same space.
If not properly managed, this heat can raise the temperature of the air by 30-40 degrees, potentially causing stress on the system and unwanted shutdowns. To prevent this, considerations such as the overall cubic feet of space, ceiling height, obstructions above, and existing area ventilation are important. Our sales personnel will assess these factors to determine if the standard MG series is a good option.
Hybrid MG Series with Remote Condenser (MG-RC)
If the standard MG series is not suitable, and the customer prefers the main portion of the chiller to remain indoors, we offer a hybrid design—the MG series with a remote condenser (RC). In this case, the system is shipped as a two-piece unit, with the condenser located outside. The remote condenser is designed to be mounted either on the roof or nearby on the ground.
This setup directs all heat discharge to the outdoors, providing the additional benefit of reduced noise levels compared to the standard MG series. Since the indoor chiller portion is now fully enclosed, sound levels are minimized. However, this RC design requires a licensed HVAC contractor to install refrigerant lines and electrical connections between the indoor and outdoor units, adding an extra cost to the end user.
By keeping the chiller indoors, it allows the use of both water and different glycols, with no concern for freezing.
OACS Series – Fully Outdoor Chillers
As chiller capacity increases, so does heat discharge from the condenser. The OACS series is a fully outdoor chiller with capacities ranging from 5 tons to 210 tons. Heat discharge and noise are completely moved outdoors, also saving valuable indoor space.
This fully outdoor design requires the use of a typical 30-40% glycol solution to prevent fluid freezing. For situations where glycol cannot be used with the equipment being cooled, Thermal Products’ sales and engineering team can provide a heat exchanger solution. This system interfaces the chiller’s outdoor glycol loop with the indoor water system used to cool the customer’s equipment.
Water-cooled chillers remain a viable option in certain situations. When customers use processed water from an evaporative tower system, well water, or municipal water sources where local codes allow, Advantage Engineering offers a water-cooled version of the standard MG series. In this setup, the water passes through a special condenser, with the heat being returned to the process water system or drained away.
The Thermal Products sales team is available to discuss and further clarify your chiller needs. Please contact us for an on-site consultation.
