Screw Chiller – Uses, Types, and Capacity

A screw compressor chiller gets its name from the critical component that transports coolant through its system — the ‘screw compressor,’ which has two identical helical rotors driving and compressing the refrigerant. Known as the convex flap and concave groove, these rotors are stored in a fixed casing and designed to function simultaneously. As they work, the refrigerant gas compresses via direct volume reduction between the rotors and becomes vapor.

High-end screw chillers come in two types: air-cooled and water-cooled, and they range from 30 to 900 tons. Reputable manufacturers work closely with brands like Btizer and Hanbell to equip their chillers with high-quality screw compressors and ensure stable performance. Here is an overview of the different screw chillers and their features.

Air-cooled screw chillers

An air-cooled screw compressor chiller eliminates heat from a process or building directly outdoors using a refrigerant to the air coils while fans blow outdoor air over them. The best ones use Hanbell and Bitzer screw compressors, Siemens PLCs, and Schneider Electric accessories. Manufacturers apply strict production and quality control to develop durable and stable air-cooled screw chillers for medium and large-cooling applications.

The cooling capacity of air-cooled screw chillers ranges from 105 KW to 928 KW. You can increase the capacity by choosing a modular type. The chiller’s set temperature range is from 5 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius.

Water-cooled screw chillers

The water-cooled screw compressor chiller ejects absorbed heat to another fluid loop to eliminate it through a cooling tower or a dry cooler. Top configurations and design ensure superior performance with quiet operation and a small footprint, with cooling capacities ranging from 105 KW to 3160 KW and a set temperature range of five to 30 degrees Celsius.

Manufacturers use a sophisticated programmable logic controller from Siemens for intelligent and worry-free monitoring and European Schneider electric parts for longer service life and stable performance. Users will find it easy to operate the screw chiller from a 10-inch touchscreen operation panel, with detailed alarm information to aid troubleshooting efforts.