Principles of Chiller – Working, Heat Transfer Cycle & Industrial Applications
A chiller operates on the fundamental principle of removing heat from water or process fluid and transferring it to the surrounding environment using the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. This cycle begins when the compressor increases the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant, followed by the condenser rejecting heat to air or water. The expansion valve reduces refrigerant pressure and temperature, after which the evaporator absorbs heat from the process fluid and generates chilled water. This closed-loop mechanism ensures stable and reliable cooling for industries such as HVAC, pharmaceuticals, plastic injection molding, printing, chemical processing, and manufacturing. Modern chillers are designed with energy-efficient compressors, high-performance heat exchangers, and smart control systems to deliver long-term efficiency, low power consumption, and high process reliability.