Chiller tanks are used to store low-temperature coolant. When cooling demand changes, the tank helps control the flow rate and reduce the fluctuation of the outlet water temperature by replenishing or temporarily storing excess coolant. For example, when the chiller is just turned on, it takes a certain amount of time to cool the coolant to the set temperature.

If there is no tank, the insufficiently cooled coolant will flow directly to the process end. However, if a tank with the right capacity is installed, the incoming fluid will mix with the already cooled coolant for pre-cooling. It can significantly improve the stability of the outlet temperature. If you are looking for high temperature control accuracy and system stability, the tank can help.

Common chiller tank designs include buffer and non-buffer systems. What is the difference between them?

Definition

•Buffer Systems: A buffer tank is a large-capacity tank set in the chiller refrigeration circuit for storing coolant.

•Non-buffer Systems: No buffer tank means that there is no additional tank installed in the cooling system, and the refrigeration circuit is directly connected to the equipment or process that needs to be cooled.

Structure

•Buffer Systems: Buffer water tanks are usually cylindrical or square, mostly made of stainless steel and carbon steel. The inside of the water tank is treated with anti-corrosion and the outside is insulated. It is connected to the chiller and the load end through interfaces and pipes. To monitor the tank’s operation and internal coolant temperature, a liquid level sensor and a temperature detection interface are set.

•Non-buffer Systems: The non-buffer water tank system has no liquid storage function, and its refrigeration circuit and pipeline system are consistent with ordinary chillers.
Related: Basics of Industrial Chillers

Accuracy

•Buffer Systems: Chillers using buffer systems have higher temperature control accuracy. The water tank can change the flow and temperature of the coolant, which is equivalent to adding a heat buffer in the cooling system. It can adjust the temperature by mixing the coolant in the pipe and the water tank to stabilize the outlet temperature.

•Non-buffer Systems: Industrial chillers without buffer water tanks have relatively weak temperature control capabilities. When the load changes, they may not respond in time, resulting in control lag and temperature fluctuations.

Applications

•Buffer Systems: Buffer tanks are often used in processes requiring precise temperature control and subject to fluctuating thermal loads. For example, wafer manufacturing, chip testing, and laser cutting machines.

•Non-buffer Systems: Cooling systems without buffer tanks are suitable for industries with stable loads and low temperature control accuracy requirements. For example, HVAC systems and injection molding machines.

Costs

•Buffer Systems: Chillers with water tanks are more expensive due to the addition of water tanks and supporting liquid level controllers, insulation and other components. However, water tanks can make the system run more stable, reduce the wear rate of components such as compressors and water pumps, and reduce the failure rate.

•Non-buffer Systems: Systems without buffer tanks have lower initial costs, but the maintenance frequency and spare parts replacement frequency are usually higher than buffer systems.

Communicate your cooling needs with LNEYA

Our chiller experts recommend that you communicate your cooling needs in detail with the manufacturer before purchasing equipment to determine parameters such as the type, capacity, and flow rate of the water tank. If you have any questions about this or need a detailed custom chiller quotation, please contact our team for solutions and technical support.