A chiller system is a complex technical system that consists of several parts which work together to produce cooling. The seven main components of a chiller system are the compressor, condenser, evaporator, metering device, expansion valve, receiver and accumulator.
1. Compressor
The compressor is the heart of the chiller system and helps move refrigerant through the rest of the components. It functions by compressing cool gas from low pressure to high pressure in order to circulate it throughout the unit.
2. Condenser
The condenser is responsible for converting vaporized refrigerant into a liquid so that it can be used again in the loop. It does this by using external air or water to cool down hot gaseous discharge from the compressor and allowing it to condense into a liquid.
3. Evaporator
The evaporator is where the cooling process takes place. It absorbs heat from air or water, and uses it to turn refrigerant back into a gas form so that it can be recycled back through the system.
4. Metering Device
This device helps control the flow of refrigerant throughout the chiller system in order to maintain appropriate temperatures inside the unit and ensure efficient operation. The most common type of metering device is an expansion valve, which regulates how much liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator at any given time.
5. Expansion Valve
The expansion valve helps regulate pressure levels within the chiller system by allowing high-pressure liquid refrigerant to expand into a lower pressure state. This helps keep the system running at optimal efficiency and prevents it from overheating.
6. Receiver
The receiver is responsible for storing excess refrigerant in the chiller system before it is used again. It functions as a storage tank, collecting any extra liquid or gas that isn’t needed in the loop and holding it until it’s needed once more.
7. Accumulator
The accumulator works similarly to a receiver but differs slightly in that its main function is to absorb any moisture or oil particles present in the chiller system before they can cause problems with the other components. The accumulator contains desiccants which draw out moisture and oil, trapping them until they can be filtered out of the system.
These seven components are essential for a chiller system to operate effectively and efficiently. Together, they work together to ensure that the unit is able to provide accurate cooling temperatures with minimal effort.