HVAC Chiller Offerings: A Product Roundup
A look at some of the industry’s current chiller options
Chillers have been referred to as the heart of any central HVAC system. So, to put it lightly, their job is an essential one. Without the heart, the rest of the body cannot function. The same goes for chillers. Without them, there is no temperature control. And in commercial buildings across the U.S., comfortable, controlled temperature is always expected.
So, chiller-wise, what’s the industry got going on? Here’s a roundup of some chillers out on the market.
Company: AAON
LF Series Chiller
Description: AAON LF Series Air-Cooled Condenser Chillers (top) are available from 4-55 tons. The modulating 10-100% variable capacity scroll compressors provide consistent leaving water temperatures at all operating conditions. Flooded condenser head pressure control allows mechanical cooling down to 0°F ambient. The control and compressor service compartment is isolated from the outdoor air stream for easy service and maintenance. AAON controls include BACnet MSTP connection with diagnostics. Constant flow or variable flow primary pumping systems can be factory installed within the chiller cabinet.
Company: LG
Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller
Description: Developed with Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology, the LG Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller provides a wide range of hot and chilled water for small and large facilities as well as commercial and industrial sectors. A robust set of high-performance features — reflected in its cooling capacity and low ambient heating ranges — provide architects, builders and engineers with a flexible, cost-effective, and properly-sized solution for comfort and process heating and or cooling applications. The innovation of LG’s Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller can be attributed to several key components, including inverter technology for more precise and efficient response to load demand, lower ambient/high-performance heating, and modularity of design. The Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller operates on a soft start with electrical current draw that does not exceed 25% of its minimum circuit ampacity, which can reduce the potential size of generators or emergency power systems that can increase installation cost for critical use applications. For these reasons and more, the LG Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller is an option that provides a cost-effective opportunity to promote electrification and carbon reduction opportunities.
Company: Carrier
AquaEdge 19MV Oil-Free Water-Cooled Centrifugal Chiller
Description: Carrier’s AquaEdge 19MV oil-free water-cooled centrifugal chiller has capacity from 300 to 700 tons. It combines efficiency and the ability to operate at severe conditions due to unexpected building operation or extreme weather. The AquaEdge 19MV uses EquiDrive two-stage back-to-back compressor, now with magnetic bearings, to achieve enhanced performance with expanded operating range while improving chiller energy efficiency and building resiliency. Its compact footprint fits up to 600 tons through double doors (72 x 80 inches) without disassembly, and it operates at less than 80 dBA. It is available with the choice of low GWP R-513A or R-134a. Dual expansion valves provide redundancy at typical operating conditions for full capacity at virtually no lift. Its Greenspeed intelligence variable frequency drive enables starting and operating with cold condenser water while providing enhanced performance at off-design conditions, and its Carrier SmartVuTM control panel provides control, tracking, and analysis for remote access to the chiller’s running data.
Company: Daikin Applied
Pathfinder Air-Cooled Screw Chiller
Description: The Pathfinder chiller from Daikin Applied is an efficient air-cooled screw chiller. It is 100% configurable and can be customized to meet the size and performance needs of each application. It also includes an array of features that optimize sound and deliver the lowest turndown in flow and highest leaving chilled water capabilities. The company is currently working on upgrades to the chiller that will offer more efficiency and flexibility to serve a broader range of applications, while delivering greater energy savings in the same footprint. The enhancements to the Pathfinder include a higher efficiency compressor, factory-installed pump packages, and condenser fan motors.
Company: Trane
Thermafit Air-to-Water Modular Heat Pump Model AXM
Description: The Trane Thermafit Air-to-Water Modular Heat Pump Model AXM is a fully electric modular unit that owners can scale to match a building’s heating or cooling load. The Model AXM moves heat rather than generating heat; thus, it can be more efficient than other forms of electric heating. By combining individually controlled AXM modules to create a single, larger heat pump, operators can right-size heating and cooling performance to meet a wide range of applications. In addition, the modular design is ideal for tight spaces or where the footprint is limited, like the roof of a tall building or a freight elevator, and offers true redundancy to help operators minimize downtime. Each module includes dual refrigerant circuits with lab-verified vapor injection compressors for more reliable heating. These compressors facilitate greater lift and higher leaving hot water temperatures down to 0°F outdoor ambient temperature. Each module is capable of 30 tons of cooling and 390,000 BTU per hour (MBh) of heating and is expandable to generate up to 300 tons of cooling. Dual refrigerant circuits on each heat pump provide precise temperature control, and ECM variable-speed fans and motor assemblies on each unit reduce energy use.
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