Industrial absorption chillers are critical for energy-efficient cooling in sectors like chemical, food manufacturing, and oil and gas. These systems utilize waste heat to provide sustainable cooling, reducing energy costs and environmental impact. This article explores the top five suppliers of industrial absorption chillers in the UK, detailing their offerings, technical specifications, capacities, target industries, and case studies. The list includes Vamtec and four leading competitors, providing an unbiased overview for businesses seeking reliable cooling solutions.
1) Vamtec
Overview: Vamtec is a leader in renewable cooling and heating, specializing in lithium bromide (LiBr) and ammonia absorption chillers since 2012. With over 600 commissioned chillers, Vamtec offers tailored solutions for industrial and commercial applications, emphasizing sustainability and energy efficiency.
Technical Specs and Capacity: Vamtec’s LiBr absorption chillers deliver cooling capacities from 100 kW to 6000 kW, with a Coefficient of Performance (COP) exceeding 1.4. They use waste heat sources like hot water, steam, or exhaust gas. The single-effect absorption chiller is highly reliable, requiring minimal maintenance and operator intervention. Its robust design ensures consistent operation, making it exceptionally difficult to interrupt or stop, allowing the chiller to run continuously with dependable performance.
Ammonia chillers provide cooling down to -40°C, ideal for extreme conditions, using natural refrigerants with zero global warming potential.
Target Industries: Chemical, food manufacturing, waste, plastic, gas, solar cooling and oil industries benefit from Vamtec’s ability to harness waste heat from industrial processes or combined heat and power (CHP) plants.
Case Study: Vamtec restored a 2.5 MW absorption chiller system for a chemical plant, improving efficiency by recovering waste heat from flue gas condensation, reducing energy costs by 30% and enhancing sustainability.
Website: www.vamtec.com
2) Thermax
Overview: Thermax is a global leader in energy and environmental solutions, offering advanced absorption chillers known for their reliability and eco-friendly design. With a strong presence in the UK, Thermax provides customized cooling systems for industrial and commercial applications.
Technical Specs and Capacity: Thermax’s absorption chillers, such as the TAC series, offer capacities from 100 kW to 6000 kW. These systems use steam, hot water, or exhaust gas as heat sources, with a COP of up to 1.5. Their single-effect and double-effect absorption chillers utilize a series flow design, which enhances simplicity and facilitates straightforward diagnostics.
Target Industries: Thermax serves industries like food processing, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and district cooling, where waste heat recovery is critical for cost savings and sustainability.
Case Study: A UK-based pharmaceutical plant installed Thermax’s steam chiller, utilizing waste steam from production processes to provide cooling. This resulted in a 28% reduction in energy costs and compliance with stringent environmental regulations.
Website: www.thermaxglobal.com
3) Johnson Controls
Overview: Johnson Controls, through its joint venture with Hitachi, is a global leader in HVAC solutions, offering advanced absorption chillers known for reliability and energy efficiency.
Technical Specs and Capacity: The YHAU-C series features a two-step evaporator-absorber cycle, reducing crystallization risks and improving efficiency. Capacities range from 50 kW to 5000 kW, with models like YHAU-CL DXS using low-temperature waste heat (as low as 55°C).
Target Industries: Data centres, commercial buildings, and industrial processes, particularly in chemicals and pharmaceuticals, rely on Johnson Controls for precise temperature control.
Case Study: A chemical manufacturing plant in Barcelona, Spain implemented Johnson Control’s York absorption chiller utilising waste heat from the CHP to provide cooling.
Website: www.johnsoncontrols.co.uk
4) Carrier
Overview: Carrier is a pioneer in absorption chiller technology, designing systems that leverage waste heat from industrial processes and co-generation systems for eco-friendly cooling.
Technical Specs and Capacity: Carrier’s 16TJ (single-effect steam-fired) and 16NK (double-effect steam-fired) chillers offer capacities from 100 kW to 7000 kW. They use water as a refrigerant and lithium bromide as an absorbent, ensuring low emissions.
Target Industries: Hotels, hospitals, and large commercial buildings, as well as industrial sectors like petrochemicals, benefit from Carrier’s robust cooling solutions.
Case Study: A university in Dundee installed Carrier’s TSA 16LJ absorption chiller, using hot water from a CHP system to provide cooling, reducing operational costs by 20% while meeting environmental regulations.
Website: www.carrier.com
5) Trane
Overview: Trane, part of Trane Technologies, offers a comprehensive portfolio of chillers, including absorption systems, with a focus on sustainability and high-performance HVAC solutions.
Technical Specs and Capacity: Trane’s absorption chillers, part of their scroll and screw chiller lines, range from 15 kW to 14,000 kW. They incorporate advanced controls like Symbio 800 for optimized performance and heat recovery capabilities.
Target Industries: Commercial buildings, data centers, and industrial applications such as metal finishing and steel processing utilize Trane’s chillers for efficient cooling.
Case Study: A Leeds Hospital adopted Trane’s absorption chiller with heat recovery, reducing energy use by 25% by repurposing waste heat for cooling applications.
Website: trane.eu
FAQs
What are industrial absorption chillers?
Absorption chillers use heat energy (e.g., steam, hot water, or waste heat) to drive a refrigeration cycle, producing chilled water for cooling. They are eco-friendly, using refrigerants like water or ammonia with low environmental impact.
What industries use absorption chillers?
Key industries include chemical, food manufacturing, waste, plastic, gas, oil, data centers, hospitals, and commercial buildings, where waste heat is abundant and cooling demands are high.
How do absorption chillers improve energy efficiency?
By utilizing waste heat instead of electricity, absorption chillers reduce energy consumption and operational costs, often achieving COP values above 1.4 and supporting sustainability goals.
What is the typical capacity range for absorption chillers?
Capacities vary widely, from 5 kW for small applications to over 14,000 kW for large industrial processes, depending on the supplier and model.
How do I choose the right supplier?
Consider factors like capacity range, energy efficiency, industry-specific experience, and after-sales support. Vamtec, Johnson Controls, Carrier, Trane, and Thermax offer tailored solutions with proven track records.
Conclusion
The UK’s top absorption chiller suppliers—Vamtec, Johnson Controls, Carrier, Trane, and Thermax—offer innovative, energy-efficient solutions for diverse industrial and commercial needs. By leveraging waste heat, these suppliers help businesses reduce costs and meet environmental goals. For tailored cooling solutions, contact Vamtec or explore offerings from these industry leaders to find the best fit for your application.