The 4 Compressors Used in Air Cooled Chillers

There are 4 types of compressors used for air cooled chillers. 

Well technically 3 now days but the 4th still exists. 

1. Scrolls are used in smaller applications. These could be as small as single compressor chillers to several compressor per circuit with multiple circuits. 

2. Reciprocating are fading quickly. I’ll still count them on the list because there are a few still in service but most have been replaced or converted by now. These can scale larger than a scroll but multiple compressors were needed per circuit to get the tonnages needed. 

3. Screw compressors can scale down fairly small but scale up much larger than scroll and reciprocating. Their efficiency in moving high volumes of refrigerant is great in combination with their flexibility to precisely tune to meet load demand. The main issue is their noise levels. 

4. Centrifugals are a very active conversation in the screw compressor space. Now to compete and manage lift/efficiency requirements, these are magnetic bearing compressors. Two factors historically that affected centrifugals was lift and oil management. We have developed better methods of high lift capacity. Combine this with oilless magnetic bearings and we’re on our way. 

Application and cost are the main factors that play into which is the best option. 

Pushing efficiency as a selling point is a major driver in today's market. 

That's where getting centrifugal into the air cooled market will push the possibilities of maximizing efficiency to new levels. 

MTT

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