Typically, the energy consumption of a chiller is around 30% of the cooling capacity, so for example, a 600kW chiller operating under full load conditions would be consuming 200kW. This is a significant cost at todays fuel prices but with the increases now expected, operating costs of chillers will soar.

A free cooling chiller is one that offers significant savings in operating costs by automatically alternating between cooling water by mechanical refrigeration and cooling by air when particular ambient temperatures exist.
It works by integrating a set of additional air cooled coils, through which the return water is piped before being allowed to enter the chiller. This takes place whenever the air temperature seen by the micro-controller is lower than the return water temperature, immediately reducing the need for mechanical refrigeration and therefore the energy consumption. Depending on operating conditions and the time of year, there will be periods when the mechanical functions will switch off completely, leaving only the air circulation fans running which operate at a fraction of the cost of the high energy absorbing compressors.
For industrial applications where chilled water temperatures of 10ºC to 15ºC are required, there are opportunities for substantial savings and the extra cost of a “free cooling” chiller can often be recovered within 12 – 24 months. Beyond that, the savings will dramatically reduce fuel bills throughout the lifetime of the chiller.
From 200kW to 600kW cooling capacity, BlueBox Kappa Echos Free Cooling chillers incorporate energy efficient screw compressors with the option of plate or shell and tube evaporators and can be delivered with built in water circulating pumps and large volume buffer tanks to keep installation and service and maintenance costs to a minimum.

Cooling capacities:

Model	Cooling Capacity at 10C water leaving, operating ambient 27C	Cooling Capacity at 15C water leaving, operating ambient 27C
16.1	193.1kW	213.8kW
20.1	232.3kW	256.6kW
27.1	308.2kW	338.4kW
32.2	380.6kW	417.7kW
36.1	409.3kW	448.6kW
36.2	414.1kW	454.3kW
40.2	429.1kW	468.4kW
46.2	547.8kW	602.1kW
48.1	583.5kW	646.1kW
53.2	615.7kW	675.9kW

Are you interested in knowing more about Free Cooling?

Free Cooling Solution - PDF 300 KB »

Please contact us on our free phone number 0800 801 819 or contact our Applied ProductsDivision Manager on the email address given below.

Mike Slattery
E-mail: mslattery@axairclimate.co.uk