Search

• 4 Types of Refrigeration Systems Which One Fits Your Facility2025-08-27
• What is a VFD chiller VFD chiller vs Non VFD chiller2025-08-27
• What is a Gas Chiller2025-08-27
• What is a Scroll Chiller2025-08-26
• What is a Screw Chiller2025-08-26
• Chiller Refrigerant Charging Tools Steps and Tips2025-08-26
• Chiller Low Pressure Alarm 5 Common Reasons and Solutions2025-08-26
• Is r22 refrigerant still available for chillers2025-08-26

• August 2025
• July 2025
• June 2025
• May 2025
• March 2025
• February 2025
• January 2025
• December 2024
• November 2024
• October 2024
• September 2024
• August 2024
• July 2024
• June 2024
• May 2024
• April 2024
• March 2024
• February 2024
• September 2023
• July 2023
• June 2023
• May 2023
• January 2023

air cooled chiller chiller Chiller Installation chillers Chiller Troubleshooting Cold Assembly Freezer cooling chiller cooling heating circulator cooling heating system cooling system Double-Layer Glass Reactor dynamic temperature control system freezer gas cooling chiller heating circulator industrial chiller industrial cooling industrial freezer industrial refrigerator jacket reactor low temperature chiller news pharmaceutical chiller process chiller reactor chiller reactor cooling reactor cooling heating reactor heating cooling reactor system refrigerated circulator refrigeration chiller screw chiller semiconductor chiller semiconductor test chiller sundi tcu temperature control test chamber thermostat ultra low temperature chiller vehicle test chiller water chiller water cooled chiller wtd

If your factory is located in an area with high electricity costs or a stressed power grid, you’re no doubt familiar with the frustrations of high electricity bills and unreliable cooling system performance. The good news is that gas chillers can be powered by natural gas instead of electricity.
 
What is a gas chiller? How does it work? What are the benefits of using one for your factory? If you have any questions, this article will answer them all.

What is a gas chiller?

---

It’s called a gas chiller because it’s a cooling system powered by natural gas. It still provides chilled water to equipment or processes, but uses natural gas instead of electricity to operate the mechanical compressor or generate heat to drive the refrigeration cycle.
 
In many countries and regions, natural gas is cheaper than electricity, so in these locations, whether large commercial centers or industrial plants, gas chillers are often used for cooling, helping to reduce operating costs.

Types of Gas Chillers and How They Work

---

Common gas chillers include engine-driven and gas absorption types.

Engine-Driven Chillers

The operating principle of an engine-driven gas chiller is similar to that of an electric-driven unit, differing only in that a gas engine is used instead of an electric one. The mechanical compressors used in gas-fired water chillers are typically screw compressors and centrifugal compressors.
 
The gas engine drives the compressor, compressing the refrigerant gas and discharging it into the condenser. Here, the refrigerant gas is condensed into a liquid. After throttling and reducing its pressure, it enters the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the coolant and evaporates back into gas. The gas is then drawn back into the compressor, completing the cycle.
 
The unique feature of this refrigeration system is that the gas engine generates heat during operation. This waste heat is recovered through a heat exchanger and can be used for space heating or to provide stable heat for processes requiring heating.

Gas-fired absorption chillers

Gas-fired absorption chillers do not use a mechanical compressor. Instead, the heat generated by the combustion of gas drives the circulation of the absorbent and refrigerant. Lithium bromide aqueous solution or an ammonia-water mixture is typically used as the absorbent.
 
The solution absorbs the evaporated refrigerant vapor, maintaining the system at a low pressure. A heater or generator then heats the absorbed refrigerant solution, separating the refrigerant from the solution and reevaporating it.
 
This process increases the gas pressure, eliminating the need for further compression in the compressor and allowing it to be condensed directly into the condenser. The subsequent steps until evaporation are virtually identical to those of an engine-driven chiller, except that some units may not utilize a throttling device.
 
Absorption chillers are generally less efficient than engine-driven natural gas chillers. However, since they lack a compressor, they operate extremely quietly, making them ideal for use in sound-sensitive locations.

Explore high-efficiency and energy-saving chiller solutions！

Get Product Catalogs

Advantages of Gas Chillers

---

Cost Saving

One of the most significant advantages of gas chillers is their ability to reduce operating costs. In regions where natural gas is cheaper and more widely available than electricity (such as Japan, South Korea, and parts of Europe), switching to gas chillers can significantly reduce energy bills.
 
Because gas chillers are less dependent on electricity, they can also help businesses avoid peak electricity costs. This makes them particularly popular in environments such as data centers, manufacturing plants, and hospitals, where temperature-controlled equipment must operate continuously.
 
Integrating gas chillers into combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) systems can also help businesses achieve further savings. When connected to a waste heat recovery system, they can simultaneously produce chilled water and provide heating and domestic hot water, maximizing energy efficiency.

Energy Efficiency

Gas chillers can utilize natural gas or even waste heat from other industrial processes. For example, absorption gas chillers can convert low-grade heat into useful cooling, making them ideal for facilities that can utilize excess steam or flue gas. This not only improves overall system efficiency but also better utilizes otherwise unused energy.
 
Another advantage is their low electricity demand, which doesn’t place additional strain on local power infrastructure. This provides a reliable solution in areas where electricity supply is limited, unstable, or expensive.

Environmental Benefits

From an environmental perspective, gas-fired chillers help reduce dependence on electricity. In many countries, electricity still primarily comes from coal or other high-emission sources. By shifting some cooling demand to natural gas, companies can reduce indirect carbon emissions, especially in markets with carbon-intensive grids.
 
Furthermore, gas chillers’ ability to recover and reuse waste heat further enhances their environmental value. Trigeneration (cooling, heating, and hot water) means fewer individual machines, less fuel burned, and lower overall emissions.
 
In regions where renewable gas (biogas or hydrogen blends) is entering the energy mix, gas chillers also offer a path to cleaner future operations, aligning with long-term decarbonization strategies.

Conclusion

---

Looking for a reliable industrial cooling system? LNEYA offers a wide range of chiller types and performance levels. If a standard model doesn’t meet your requirements, we also offer one-stop customization services. With the help of our chiller experts, we can work together to design a cooling system that’s tailored to your unique application.

FAQ

Q1: Are gas chillers more expensive than electric chillers?

Yes, initial costs are often higher, but the operating cost can be lower depending on local energy prices.

Q2: What fuel do gas chillers use?

Most are designed for natural gas, but some can operate on biogas or LPG.

Q3: Do gas chillers require more maintenance?

Engine-driven chillers require engine servicing, while absorption chillers need monitoring of solution chemistry. Maintenance is different, not necessarily higher.

Q4: Can gas chillers be used in residential buildings?

They are more common in large commercial or industrial applications, though small-scale absorption chillers exist.

Q5: Are gas chillers environmentally friendly?

They can reduce peak electrical demand and integrate with cogeneration systems, but environmental impact depends on the source of the natural gas and local regulations.