If you’re working with chemical processes or deionized (DI) water systems, keeping fluids at the right temperature is crucial. That’s where inline chillers come in. But what exactly is an inline chiller, and how do you know which one fits your needs? This guide will explain what inline chillers are, their applications, and key points to consider when buying one.
What Is an Inline Chiller?
An inline chiller is a compact device designed to cool (and sometimes heat) fluids as they flow through a system. Unlike traditional chillers that cool large tanks or reservoirs, inline chillers treat the fluid directly within the process line. This allows for precise temperature control, fast response to changing flow conditions, and efficient thermal management.
Inline chillers are commonly used in industries requiring ultra-pure chemical or DI water temperature control, such as semiconductor manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and chemical processing.
Types of Inline Chillers and Related Products
Applied Integrated Systems (AIS) offers a wide range of inline chillers and heaters designed for different applications and power needs. Here are some notable product lines:
- Kool-Pure Plus™: This versatile system can both heat and cool chemicals or DI water. It handles high thermal loads with a temperature range from -10ºC to 90ºC, power capacities from 1 KW to 100 KW, and flow rates up to 26 gallons per minute.
- Kool-Pure™ Thermoelectric Heater/Chiller: Using solid-state technology, Kool-Pure offers ultra-pure, ultra-precise temperature control of chemicals or DI water from 5ºC to 75ºC with temperature accuracy up to 0.1ºC.
- Pelti-Therm™ Thermoelectric Recirculating Heaters/Chillers: Ideal for recirculating process water or heat transfer fluids from -10ºC to 80ºC, providing tight temperature control accuracy up to 0.1ºC.
- Power-Cool™ Re-circulating and Single-Pass Chillers: Designed for re-circulating heat transfer fluids, using vapor compression technology, with cooling capacity up to 150 KW and heating capacity up to 100 KW.
Common Applications of Inline Chillers
Inline chillers are used wherever precise temperature control of fluids is necessary. Some key applications include:
- Semiconductor manufacturing: Maintaining chemical baths and DI water at stable temperatures to ensure process consistency and high-quality production.
- Pharmaceutical and biotech: Controlling temperatures during chemical reactions and sensitive processes.
- Laboratories and research facilities: Supporting experiments and processes requiring exact thermal management.
- Chemical processing: Regulating the temperature of aggressive chemicals to improve safety and efficiency.
Why Choose AIS Inline Chillers and Heaters?
AIS products stand out for several reasons:
- High configurability: AIS customizes solutions to your exact specifications, including power, flow rate, and temperature ranges.
- Ultra-pure materials: Most fluid paths are made with PFA (Teflon), ensuring chemical compatibility and purity.
- Fast temperature response: AIS products react quickly to changes in inlet temperature or flow rate, keeping your process stable.
- Wide temperature and power ranges: From small 100-watt units to powerful 500-kilowatt systems, there’s a solution for nearly any industrial need.
- Single-pass and recirculation options: Depending on your process requirements, AIS can provide inline chillers/heaters for one-time fluid passes or continuous recirculating systems.
Buying Guide: What to Consider Before Choosing an Inline Chiller
When selecting an inline chiller or heater, consider these factors:
- Fluid Type and Purity
Are you heating or cooling aggressive chemicals or ultra-pure DI water? Material compatibility, such as PFA fluid paths, is vital. - Temperature Range and Accuracy
Different processes require different temperature control ranges and precision. Some AIS products offer accuracy as fine as 0.1ºC. - Flow Rate
Ensure the chiller can handle your system’s flow rate, whether it’s a low flow or high-volume process. - Heating and Cooling Power
Know your thermal load and select a chiller/heater with adequate capacity. - Process Type
Decide if you need single-pass inline heating/cooling or a recirculating system. - Customization Needs
AIS offers customization at no extra cost, which is helpful if your process has unique or evolving requirements.
Final Thoughts
Inline chillers are critical tools for industries requiring precise temperature control of fluids in process lines. With their compact design, fast response times, and configurability, they offer an efficient solution to maintain product quality and process stability.
If you’re considering an inline chiller or heater, AIS’s range of ultra-pure, configurable systems might be exactly what you need. Reach out to AIS to discuss your specific application, and get a custom solution tailored for your process.
