Hybrid process water chillers

With its adiabatic pre-cooling system and a free-cooling section, Atlas Copco‘s four-model TCA55-215 plug-and-play industrial water chiller range offers cooling capacities from 55 to 228 kW and a host of unique features designed for optimum energy efficiency and complete operational safety, as well as for easy and cost-effective installation and maintenance.

Reliable and robust, the chillers feature proven scroll compressors in a twin circuit configuration, air-cooled microchannel condensers and an integrated hydraulic module.

The hybrid TCA chillers come in four configurations, comprising TCA-A, TCA-AF, TCA-AD and TCA-AP variants. The A models provide industrial robust construction and operational reliability while both the AF and AP versions feature the option of free cooling. With the advanced adiabatic pre-cooling capability of both the AD and AP chiller units, it is possible to achieve the highest level of energy efficiency for process operations. That can mean a reduction of electricity consumption by up to 40% compared to non-free-cooling units, and cooling capacity boosted by up to 17%. 

In addition, all four TCA variants include the option of a built-in hydraulic circuit with buffer atmospheric tank and single or double pumps, for work/standby duties, which operate across a 1, 3, and 5 bar range of working pressures. 

The inclusion of a shell and tube evaporator makes it possible to effectively use these chillers reliably for applications in both closed and open hydraulic circuits.

Thanks to the chillers’ rugged and reliable construction and IP54-protected components, TCA55-215 series chillers can be installed either indoors or in outdoor locations. The latter saves internal workspace, optimises cooling water distribution, and provides the opportunity to benefit from cold winter air temperatures to gain efficiency for the chiller using free-cooling coils.

Drawing on years of experience and knowledge of air compressor controllers, the TCA55-215 range is equipped with an Elektronikon Mk5 Touch controller and regulation system designed to maximise the chiller’s performance under a variety of climatic conditions. The Elektronikon Touch controller also provides an opportunity to regulate inlet or outlet hydraulic circuit water temperature within a predefined band with a state-of-the-art level of precision.

Another feature that the TCA chillers have adopted from air compressor design is the Atlas Copco SMARTLINK cloud-based monitoring system, which brings unique, Industry 4.0 enabled features to the industrial cooling market. SMARTLINK enables online monitoring of the chiller unit’s main working parameters, gives early warnings of any problems or upcoming maintenance needs, and makes recommendations for optimisation and energy efficiency. 

From the 1st of January 2021 as part of the latest phase of amendments to the European Commission’s EcoDesign Directive (2009/125/EC), industrial cooling and refrigeration equipment is required to meet new, stringent minimum levels of energy efficiency.

The TCA55-215 range fully complies with the EcoDesign Directive 2021 meeting the Seasonal Energy Performance Ratio (SEPR) to reach the highest level of energy saving.