Screw chillers utilize a unique refrigeration process to provide cooling. Here’s an overview of their operation:
In a screw chiller, refrigerant is compressed by the screw compressor. The compressor uses two helical screws to compress the refrigerant gas, increasing its pressure and temperature.
The high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant gas then flows to the condenser. In the condenser, the gas releases its heat to a cooling medium (air or water), causing it to condense into a high-pressure liquid.
The high-pressure liquid refrigerant moves to the expansion valve, where it undergoes a pressure reduction. This process allows the refrigerant to expand and cool down.
The low-pressure, cool refrigerant then enters the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the surrounding environment. As it absorbs heat, the refrigerant evaporates back into a gas.
The gaseous refrigerant returns to the screw compressor, and the cycle repeats. This continuous process effectively removes heat from the environment, providing the cooling needed.