A water air conditioner, also known as a chilled water system, cools a space by circulating chilled water through a coil in an air handler.
The Cooling Process
Here’s how it works:
- Chilled Water Circulation: Cold water is moved through a coil within an air handler. This coil is similar to a car radiator, but instead of hot coolant, it circulates cold water.
- Heat Absorption: Air is blown over the cold coil. As this happens, the air loses heat, which is absorbed by the cold water flowing in the coil.
- Air Cooling: The air that has passed over the cold coil is now cooled. This cooled air is then distributed throughout the space you want to cool.
- Heat Removal: The water that has absorbed the heat is now warmer. It's then pumped outside where the heat is removed from the water. Sometimes water-cooled AC systems are also called air-cooled AC systems because chillers are cooled by the outside air.
Simplified Analogy
Think of it like a cold drink on a hot day. The ice in your drink absorbs heat from your drink, making the drink cooler. Similarly, the cold water absorbs heat from the air, making the air cooler.
Key Components
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Chiller | Cools the water, typically using air as a cooling medium |
| Water Coil | Transfers heat from the air to the water |
| Air Handler | Blows air over the water coil to achieve cooling |
| Pipes | Moves the water between components |
Advantages of Water-Cooled Systems:
- Efficiency: They can be more energy efficient in certain climates.
- Scalability: They can be scaled to handle large spaces.
Disadvantages of Water-Cooled Systems:
- Higher initial cost: They require more complex plumbing.
- Maintenance: They involve multiple components that require regular upkeep.
Water air conditioners, or chilled water systems, essentially use cold water to absorb heat from the air in a space, providing cooling. The water is then pumped outside where the heat is removed, often through air-cooling processes, completing the cycle.
