Process Cooling

What Is Process Cooling? 

Process cooling is the removal of heat from industrial processes to ensure operational safety, equipment efficiency, and product quality. Unlike cooling for human comfort, process cooling is focused on maintaining a specific temperature for equipment or materials. A process cooling system includes a process chiller.

How Does Process Cooling Work?

There are four basic steps in the process cooling cycle:

1. A coolant, which may be water or a water/glycol mixture, is pumped through a heat exchanger to absorb heat from an industrial process or material. 
2. The heated coolant then moves to a process chiller, where it undergoes a refrigeration cycle to remove the heat from the coolant. 
3. The heat is rejected to the atmosphere via a cooling tower or another method. 
4. The coolant is pumped back to the process or material to start the cycle again.

Process cooling is used in a wide range of industries, from printing and plastics to pharmaceuticals and data centers. Any process that requires maintaining a precise temperature for safety and quality can benefit from process cooling systems.

For more information on process cooling systems, visit our process chillers glossary page.