Chilled water is used in hydronic cooling systems to transfer heat energy from inside a building to the outside. It can be produced on site or provided by municipal agencies. Chilled water systems require less maintenance, cost less than refrigerants, and have minimal risk of leaks.
Chilled water is one of the major components of a hydronic cooling system. These systems use water to transfer heat energy from inside a building to the outside, which helps cool the inside of the structure. Chilled water is an alternative to the traditional refrigerant used in most air conditioning and cooling systems.
In a typical project, chilled water is produced on site using a large chiller or cooling tank. These devices contain some form of heat exchange system, which captures heat energy in the water and expels it outside. By removing thermal energy, these cooling systems cool the water, allowing it to be used to cool the building. The same water moves through the pipes within the cooling system in a continuous cycle, absorbing heat energy from within and expelling it outside.
Chilled water from the chiller or cooling tank enters the building’s air handling unit through a network of pipes or chills. A blower or blower inside this unit blows air over the pipes. The chilled water inside the pipes absorbs the heat energy, leaving the air fresh. This fresh air then travels through the building’s duct system to distribute the fresh air to each room. Fresh and chilled water passes continuously through the pipes to absorb more heat energy and keep the air fresh.
In some parts of the world, municipal agencies provide chilled water to homes and businesses, in much the same way they provide water or sewer services. This eliminates the need for chillers and cooling tanks and allows building owners to cool their facility easily and effectively. This water can be cooled using a central cooling tower, or it can be derived from naturally cold sources, such as lakes and rivers. This type of central chiller supply is often known as a district cooling system and is a paid service for homeowners and building managers.
Chilled water cooling systems offer many benefits to users. They typically require less maintenance than traditional refrigeration systems, as there is no need to regularly check, balance, and top up the refrigerant. Chilled water also costs significantly less than refrigerant products, which can reduce the cost of repairs over time. These systems also have minimal risk of leaks and can be repaired relatively easily. Finally, by eliminating the refrigerant, chilled water systems protect the environment from the potential pollution and global warming effects commonly associated with many refrigerants.
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