Lab chillers are used in many labs to serve a wide variety of important purposes, from enhancing the accuracy of experiments to improving the safety of laboratory personnel. Due to their many uses and benefits, it is hard to come across a laboratory that doesn’t utilize this advantageous piece of equipment in some form. Depending on the needs of the lab, there are several different types of chillers that they may use. In this article, we will focus on recirculating chillers. Continue reading to learn more about what they are and how a recirculating chiller works.

What Is a Recirculating Chiller?

A recirculating chiller is a type of enclosed, high-efficiency cooling system that is used in external cooling applications. These robust cooling systems are ideal for demanding lab applications that require continuous use. Their primary function is to remove mechanical or electrical heat by operating under the principle that the temperature of an object or system is controlled by the flow of heat into or out of it. Most recirculating chillers can operate in temperatures between -130º and 302º Fahrenheit. 

How Does a Recirculating Chiller Work?

A recirculating chiller works by incorporating coolant circulation with high-pressure flow in order to speed up the heat removal process of an object. These systems consist of four primary components: a compressor, condenser, thermostatic expansion valve, and an evaporator.

The cooling process begins when a refrigerant gas is pumped into the compressor and converted into a high temperature and pressure gas. The gas then journeys to the condenser where ambient air or water takes the refrigerant’s heat and condenses it from a gas into a liquid.

In its liquid state, the refrigerant goes through the thermostatic expansion valve where the pressure and temperature are decreased, causing the fluid to evaporate into a gas. Upon returning to a gas state, the refrigerant goes back into the compressor, and the process begins again. Because this is a continuous duty, recirculating chillers don’t waste any refrigerant or water throughout the process. It is important to note that this process may vary slightly depending on whether the recirculating chiller has a water-cooled or air-cooled condenser.