Process cooling, also known as a chiller, uses mechanical refrigeration to remove heat from a process. Chillers are used in several applications from machine tools to food processing and packaging to medical imaging equipment. Process cooling can maintain a constant fluid temperature and flow regardless of the load. This flexibility is what differentiates it from air conditioning chillers.
Process chillers are made to operate at different temperatures with different fluids and different flow rates. These have the ability to work with multiple pumps and multiple cooling circuits. The systems typically includes a pump and reservoir designed by the manufacturer, which are integrated into the chiller design. The energy efficiency rating follows Non-Standard Part Load Value (NPLV) rules.
Air conditioning chillers are made to run at one temperature, one flow rate and one fluid type. Typically, the design is a pressurized system and the pump and reservoir are designed and sourced by the installing contractor. The energy efficiency rating follows Integrated Part Load Value (IPLV) rules.