How can a recirculating chiller provide heat to an application?
Although recirculating chillers are primarily designed to remove heat from a process, some ATC models can also provide controlled heating of the process fluid.
This can be useful for applications that need to operate above ambient temperature, reach a required operating temperature more quickly, or maintain controlled fluid temperatures across a wider operating range.
Heater availability is product and configuration dependent, so heating capability should be confirmed when specifying your chiller.
How does an ATC chiller heat the process fluid?
Where available, ATC can provide a High Temperature Option Pack (OP00002).
This incorporates a tank heater into the chiller, allowing electrical heat to be added directly to the process fluid when required.
The chiller’s temperature controller manages the system to maintain the required fluid temperature, providing controlled temperature regulation rather than simply operating as a source of cooling.
What is the High Temperature Option Pack?
The High Temperature Option Pack (OP00002) is a factory-installed option available on compatible ATC chillers.
it includes a tank heater and extends the available fluid setpoint up to a maximum of +60°C, subject to the operating limits of the compatible chiller.
Because the heater is integrated into the chiller, it forms part of the complete temperature-control system.
Is a heater available on every ATC chiller?
Heating capability is dependent on the chiller model and its available options and configurations.
ATC’s current product range uses predefined configurations and Option Packs to ensure that combinations are technically compatible, manufacturable, and supportable.
You should therefore not assume that a heater can simply be added to any chiller.
Check the specification for the model you are considering or speak to the ATC Sales team to confirm whether the High Temperature Option Pack is available.
When might I need heating as well as cooling?
Heating capability can be useful where an application needs to operate across a range of temperatures rather than simply remain below ambient.
For example, a process may need to brought up to a specified temperature before operation and then require cooling as it begins to generate heat.
Having both heating and cooling capability within the temperature-control system allows the chiller to respond to changing process conditions while maintaining the required fluid setpoint.
Can a standard chiller reach +60°C?
The maximum operating temperature depends on the specific chiller and configuration.
Where the High Temperature Option Pack is available, the tank heater supports fluid setpoints up to a maximum of +60°C. This should not be interpreted as a universal temperature range for every ATC chiller.
Always check the technical specification for the particular model and configuration being considered.
What if I have specialist heating or temperature requirements?
If your required temperature range falls outside the standard capabilities of the ATC product range, speak to our Sales team.
Requirements outside the available standard models, configurations and Option Packs can be reviewed as a non-standard requirement. Our Sales and Engineering teams can assess the application and determine whether a technically and commercially suitable solution is possible.
When contacting us, it is helpful to provide details of the required fluid temperature range, process heat load, flow requirement, coolant, ambient temperature, and electrical supply.
