Thermal Care releases hybrid film evaporator chiller

Thermal Care has announced the commercial launch of a hybrid film evaporator chiller that reduces energy use by 34 percent and uses less refrigerant than comparable flooded chillers.

The company’s new Accuchiller TCF model chiller uses a Hybrid Film Evaporator, which provides the energy efficiency of wet (flooded) systems in a compact footprint using less refrigerant, according to Bob Smith, Thermal Care’s Director of Product Management. The Accuchiller TCF is Thermal Care’s first Hybrid Film Evaporator system and builds on the success of the company’s variable-speed, centrifugal compressor systems.

The new Accuchiller TCF was developed in response to market demand for improved energy efficiency and reduced refrigerant charges. Thermal Care is one of the first industrial chiller manufacturers to commercialize this technology for process cooling market segments, including food processing, among other industries.

Unlike current flooded evaporative systems which immerse copper water tubes in liquid refrigerant, hybrid film evaporation systems use a thin film of refrigerant to achieve more energy efficiency with a reduced amount of refrigerant.

The hybrid technology boasts a compact modular design, providing a 25 percent smaller footprint which maximizes floor space and helps to reduce production costs for manufacturers, such as plastic injection molders.

The Accuchiller TCF also features Thermal Care’s unique advanced PLC control system which controls, monitors, and maintains stable and reliable operation of the pumping system. A durable color touchscreen displays a variety of operational screens for an uncomplicated view of the system, including time stamped faults or alarms and compressor and pump hours. The Accuchiller TCF is also equipped with an Ethernet port and is fully compatible with the company’s CONNEX4.0 plant-wide equipment remote control and monitoring system.