The primary difference between heat exchangers and chillers lies in their design and function:

– Chillers: Chillers are equipped with refrigeration systems designed to cool circulating chilled water. The system uses a compressor to remove heat from the water, which is then circulated through a process or system to absorb heat before being cooled again by the chiller.

– Heat Exchangers: Heat exchangers, on the other hand, do not have refrigeration devices. Instead, they rely on direct fluid-to-fluid heat transfer to regulate temperature. Heat exchangers transfer heat between two fluids (e.g., water, air, or oil) that flow in separate channels without mixing, often utilizing conductive materials to facilitate the heat transfer process.