Comparison of Central and Portable Process Water Chillers
- FYI #265
- Industrial water chillers are available as PORTABLE or CENTRAL. This FYI compares some of the differences between portable chillers and central chillers.
- Portable and central water chillers have their place in the heat transfer market.
- But if selected improperly or expected to perform beyond design specifications, then issues will arise along with operator frustration.
- Although Central and Portable liquid process chillers are refrigeration devices for process cooling and heat transfer, they are two different breeds.
- PORTABLE water chillers are designed to cool one use point.
- CENTRAL chillers are designed to provide cooling water to an entire facility and servicing multiple use points.
- Since the objectives of these chillers are radically different, they therefore, are different. In some cases portable chillers can be ‘modified’ with some standard options to act as a central chiller. However, the portable chiller does not and will not provide all the benefits of a central chiller.
| Quantity of Refrigeration Circuits | Single | Multiple | |
| Expandability | None | Yes | |
| Capacity Staging | 50% | 15% – in some cases | |
| Redundancy (i.e. backup) | None | Yes | |
| Air Discharge (Air Condensed Units) | Typically into Plant (1) | Outdoors via outdoor condenser | |
| Quantity of Use Points (typical) | Single | Multiple | |
| Reservoir Capacity | Small | Large | |
| Fluid flywheel | Little, if any | Large | |
| Thermal Mass | Little, if any | Large | |
| Dedicated Evaporator Pump | No | Yes | |
| Dedicated Process Pump | No | Yes | |
| Low Flow Bypass | Required | Not needed since evaporator pump | |
| Pump Redundancy (i.e. backup) | None | Yes | |
| Larger Pumping Capability | Limited | Relative Unlimited | |
| Drain Back Prevention | Required (overhead piping kit) | Vacuum breakers | |
| Controller | Single Circuit Control | Multiple circuit control | |
| Redundancy(i.e. back up) | None | Yes | |
| Installation Requirements | Relative very little (2) | A lot |
Notes:
- A portable chiller can utilize an outdoor condenser also in lieu of fans or a blower.
- Installation costs for a portable chiller could be the same as a central chiller is used as a central chiller with multiple use points.
For more information about difference between Central and Portable water chillers call the Advantage Sales Department at 317-887-0729.
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