Next-Level Cooling with LG’s New Chiller

HVAC chillers are fundamental systems when it comes to heating and cooling and are ideal for commercial and industrial applications. As chiller systems must cover large-scale facilities, the cost and energy consumption can be a concern when choosing the optimal chiller for your facility. Also, with growing awareness of environmental issues, LG’s new Oil-free Inverter Centrifugal Chillers might be the exact solution to meet your cooling needs with efficiency and sustainability. Explore the innovations of LG’s latest chiller system, designed to enhance both efficiency and durability.

Conventional oil-lubricated systems require regular oil replacement and maintenance, which can be a bit of a hassle. No-contact magnetic bearings eliminate the need for oil lubrication, removing all oil-related components.

Unlike oil-lubricated systems that rely on the physical adjustment of bearings, the new LG oil-free chillers function using an electromagnetic field. Advanced gap sensor technology detects the rotor's position every 0.5 milliseconds, which is 2,000 times per second, precisely adjusting the electromagnetic field to maintain optimal rotor positioning. Due to the no-contact rotation, mechanical friction loss is reduced, improving the chiller’s efficiency by 4.5%.

The operation of large machines and industrial systems will always generate noise, but there are also always ways to reduce that noise. LG’s low-noise impeller adheres to international standards with reduced leakage and minimal noise levels. These design improvements help the LG oil-free chiller achieve sound emission levels as low as 73 dBA.

The simple structure of LG’s inverter compressor is beneficial not only for its efficiency but also for being compact. The direct connection between the impeller and drive shaft eliminates the need for a gear to align and adjust the axis. These simplified structures make the chiller more adaptable to smaller spaces.

Inverters pose the risk of harmonic currents during power conversion, which can lead to overheating or equipment damage. The inverter in the LG oil-free chiller is specifically designed for chillers, using IGBT technology as its harmonic filter to minimize the harmonic current. This ensures that the power supplied has a Total Demand Distortion (TDDi) of less than 5%, safeguarding electronic devices from potential damage caused by harmonic current and contributing to the stability of the chiller.

One of the standout features of LG Oil-free Inverter Centrifugal Chillers is its refrigerant. The new R1233zd refrigerant boasts a low global warming potential of just 1 and an ozone depletion potential of 0, ensuring sustainability without compromising stability or safety. Not only does it have a lower impact on the environment, but it also excels in energy efficiency. Compared to previous refrigerants, R1233zd used has an impressive IPLV of 12.1, reducing fuel consumption and enhancing the chiller's long-term sustainability. The efficient falling film evaporator also boosts efficiency by 25% with its unique independent cooling distribution.

In the event of a sudden power outage, an online UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) provides emergency power to the bearing and control system for up to 20 minutes, preventing rotor damage. The fast recovery technology restores the system to its previous operation in just 70 seconds.

With LG’s technology, monitoring and maintaining a large-scale chiller system becomes easier. The upgraded interface features a 15-inch-wide touch screen, offering easy access to control various HVAC units connected to the chiller system. It also displays data in simple graphs and generates reports that can be sent via email.