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Chiller Temperature Range: What Temperature Should a Chiller Be
The chiller temperature range refers to the upper and lower limits of the temperature that the chiller can provide. It affects the service life of the equipment and the stability of the process. What temperature should a chiller be? What is the chiller temperature range that should be selected for your application?
This article will tell you the key factors that affect the selection of the chiller temperature range and some standard temperatures of chillers. Keep reading.
Key Factors for Chiller Temperature Section
There are many factors that affect the temperature setting of the chiller. The following are some of the more common factors.
Chiller Temperature Range
Different chillers have different operating temperature ranges. When you purchase a process chiller, you will communicate with the chiller manufacturer about how to determine the temperature range of the chiller. This determines the highest and lowest temperatures that your equipment can be set to.
Industrial Applications
Different processes have different temperature requirements. Within the temperature range of the chiller, you need to set the appropriate temperature according to your application. For example, laser equipment often requires 20 °C (68 ℉), food preservation may only require 7 °C (44.6 ℉), and chemicals may require -20 °C (-4 ℉) or even lower.
Coolant
Coolant’s viscosity and thermal conductivity vary greatly at different temperatures. For example, water will freeze below 0°C (32°F), affecting heat exchange and causing damage to pipes. Therefore, the type of coolant used must be consistent with the chiller’s temperature range.
Refrigerant
The evaporation temperature of the refrigerant determines the lowest temperature that the chiller system can reach. Commonly used refrigerants such as R134a, R410A, R404A, R507, etc. have different evaporation temperatures and are suitable for chillers in different temperature ranges. If you want the chiller to provide lower temperature conditions, you need to use low-temperature refrigerants (R23, R170, CO₂).
Ambient
The ambient temperature will affect the cooling capacity of the chiller. For example, air-cooled chillers will have difficulty reaching the set temperature quickly when the ambient temperature is too high, and the minimum outlet water temperature will also be limited. Water-cooled chillers also rely on the temperature of the cooling water.
Standard Temperature of Chiller
What is the ideal temperature of a chiller? The following introduces some common standard temperatures of chillers from different perspectives.
| Category | Type | Typical Temperature Range |
| By Coolant | Water | 5°C ~ 30°C (41°F ~ 86°F) |
| Glycol | -40°C ~ 10°C (-40°F ~ 50°F) | |
| Oil | -80°C ~ +350°C (-112°F ~ +662°F) | |
| By Cooling Method | Air-Cooled Chiller | 5°C ~ 35°C (41°F ~ 95°F) |
| Water-Cooled Chiller | 5°C ~ 35°C (41°F ~ 95°F) | |
| By Compressor Type | Scroll Chiller | 5°C ~ 30°C (41°F ~ 86°F) |
| Screw Chiller (Normal) | 5°C ~ 35°C (41°F ~ 95°F) | |
| Screw Chiller (Low Temp) | -40°C ~ 5°C (-40°F ~ 41°F) | |
| By Temperature Range | High Temp Chiller | +30°C ~ +95°C (86°F ~ 203°F) |
| Low Temp Chiller | -35°C ~ -5°C (-31°F ~ 23°F) | |
| Ultra-Low Temp Chiller | -40°C ~ -120°C (-40°F ~ -184°F) | |
| By Application | Semiconductor Chiller | 5°C ~ 20°C (41°F ~ 68°F) |
| CNC Chiller | 5°C ~ 25°C (41°F ~ 77°F) | |
| Laser Chiller | 15°C ~ 30°C (59°F ~ 86°F) | |
| Spindle Chiller | 20°C ~ 30°C (68°F ~ 86°F) | |
| Welding Chiller | 10°C ~ 30°C (50°F ~ 86°F) | |
| MRI Chiller | 5°C ~ 35°C (41°F ~ 95°F) |
By Coolant
Water
Water freezes below 0 °C (32 °F). Therefore, the temperature range of chillers using water as coolant is generally between 5°C (41 °F) and 30 °C (86 °F).
Glycol
Glycol chillers that use glycol as a coolant can reach very low temperatures. The lowest temperature is generally between -40 °C (-40 40°F) and 10 °C (50°F), depending on the mixing ratio of glycol to water. The mixture of the two is often called antifreeze, but the viscosity of glycol increases below -40 °C (-40 40°F), which reduces pumping efficiency and heat transfer, so it is not recommended to use it at this time.
Oil
Synthetic heat transfer oil has strong stability, is not easy to decompose at high temperature, and has good fluidity at low temperature. Therefore, chillers using oil as coolant tend to have a wider temperature range and lower operating temperature, generally between -80℃(-112℉) and +350℃(662℉). This depends on the type of oil and the design of the cooling system.
By Cooling Method
Air-Cooled Chiller
The temperature range of air-cooled chillers is generally 5℃~35℃(41℉~95℉). Some low-temperature air-cooled chillers can reduce the temperature to -40℃(-40℉), but the efficiency is very low. This is because the cooling capacity of air-cooled chillers is affected by the ambient temperature.
Water-Cooled Chiller
The temperature range of water-cooled chillers is also 5℃~35℃(41℉~95℉). Low-temperature water-cooled chillers can reduce the temperature to -40℃(-40℉) or even lower. The difference is that it is less affected by the ambient temperature and has a higher cooling efficiency.
By Compressor Type
Scroll Chiller
Scroll chillers use scroll compressors and are usually medium temperature chillers. Their outlet water temperature range is generally between 5℃(41℉) and 30℃(86℉).
Screw Chiller
Screw chillers are generally medium and low temperature chillers. The normal temperature screw chiller temperature range is generally 5℃(41℉) ~ 35℃(95℉), while the low temperature unit range is -40℃(-40℉) ~ 5℃(41℉).
By Chiller Temperature Range
High Temperature Chiller Temperature
The temperature range of high temperature chillers is usually between +30℃(86℉) and +95℃(203℉),and some units can reach +120℃(248℉) or higher. Generally, high temperature chillers are equipped with electric heating modules.
Low Temperature Chiller Temperature
The common low temperature chiller temperature range is -35℃(-31℉) ~ -5℃(23℉), and some better configured chillers can reach -40℃(-40℉).
Ultra-Low Temperature Chiller Temperature
Ultra-low temperature chillers generally refer to chillers with an operating temperature of -40℃(-40℉) ~ -120℃(-184℉), and some can reach -150℃(-238℉) or even lower. They usually use cascade refrigeration technology and special refrigerants.
By Chiller Application
Semiconductor Chiller
Semiconductor chillers are used to cool semiconductor manufacturing equipment, such as photolithography machines, etching machines, ion implanters, etc. The temperature range is usually 5℃(41℉) ~ 20℃(68℉), and some process flows require 0℃
(32℉) ~ 25℃(77℉), which requires extremely high temperature control accuracy (<±0.1℃).
CNC Chiller
To prevent the machine from being damaged by overheating, the temperature range of CNC chiller is generally between 5℃(41℉) and 25℃(77℉).
Laser Chiller
Laser chillers are used to cool lasers, laser heads, optical fibers, and optical components in a temperature range of 15℃(59℉) ~ 30℃(86℉).
Spindle Chiller
The spindle chiller is used to control the temperature of the electric spindle to prevent overheating that affects the life and accuracy. The temperature range is 20℃(68℉) ~ 30℃(86℉).
Welding Chiller
Welding chiller is used to cool welding gun, welding power source and welding head. The temperature range of the chiller is 10℃(50℉) ~ 30℃(86℉).
MRI Chiller
MRI chiller is used to cool the cooling system of superconducting magnets, RF power supplies and other components, with a temperature range of 5℃(41℉) ~ 35℃(95℉).
The above chiller temperature range can only be used as a reference. Because, under the influence of other factors (refrigerant, coolant, type, cascade refrigeration technology, etc.), the chiller temperature range will change.
Conclusion
The wider the temperature range of a chiller, the better. When your application does not require extreme temperatures, it is more economical and efficient to choose the appropriate upper and lower temperature limits.
LNEYA can customize -150℃(-238℉) ~ +350℃(662℉) chillers and design and manufacture cooling systems for many industries. If you don’t know the chiller temperature you should choose for your application, our chiller experts can provide you with free consultation. Contact us!
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