Guide how to distinguish AHU and Chiller and compare them how different. AHU and Chiller are the equipment and systems used to handle air. AHU is specialized air handling other with Chiller system is air conditioning to cool the space.
AHU whose English name is Air Handling Unit is the specialized air handling, form a heat exchanger located in the HVAC system.AHU is usually applied in the industry of electronic technology, using AHU for pharmaceutical or cosmetic…AHU is the system commonly used for the commercial buildings, factories, research or commercial centers, high-end hotels.

1. Distinguish AHU and Chiller about the structure
Let’s Migco distinguish AHU and Chiller that different about the texture offline:
1.1 AHU – Air Handling Unit
AHU is designed and created with the purpose of heat exchange and heat treatment air humidity as well as the clean air. AHU is connected installation for the HVAC system to serve the manufacturing industry requires a high degree of cleanliness.
For example, research, pharmaceutical production, food industry, functional food, cosmetic industries, electronics, microelectronics, semiconductor manufacturing,…
>> read more: Ahu what is? System overview Ahu
AHU has a number of branching as small as RTU – Roof Top Unit and MAU – Makeup Air Unit is often called PAU – Primary Air-handling Unit. The minimum capacity of the block AHU is 30kW.
The structure of the AHU is divided into separate Modules, each module will have the structure special design, the important functions different. Includes: Box, blending system, seamless pipe, air filter, the heat level, the secondary heating, equipment centrifugal fan… – complexity of the device depends on the requirements of use.
In addition to the complicated structure and easy to open wider then most distinctive features of AHU is filtered air operation main function is to filter the dust in high standard. Meet the 2 standards clean room is TC EN779 and TC EN1822 depending on the requirements of cleanliness desired.
The texture of AHU includes:
- Blower
- cooler
- Seamless heat
- air filter
- Housings
1.2 Structure of the Chiller
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System, Chiller system, central air-conditioning chiller is the name known only device that generates cold source with the aim of cooling the air or the food. Chiller system is often the production of raw cluster not form separate, use coolant is water.
>> See more: chiller System – what is the overview of the system chiller
through the water will evaporate and be cooled to the temperature go into is 12 degrees and the temperature is going out at 17 degrees.
The structure of the air-conditioning system, Chiller includes:
- Refrigeration compressor: There are 3 types of refrigeration compressors, various including: compressor, spiral, centrifugal compressors, screw compressor.
- Condenser water Chiller or condenser tube beam.
- Evaporator Chiller: 3 type evaporator different: volatile dry type, evaporation, by Stainless steel plates, evaporation type flooded translation.
- The control cabinet.
2. The distinguished AHU and Chiller about the principle of operation:
2.1 Principle of operation of the AHU
When the room temperature higher than the temperature has been installed in the van then the van 3 fall will unlock to cold water flows away through the entire heat exchanger .
When the temperature of the cold water is lower than the temperature has been installed in the valve. Then this valve 3 fell closed, and cold water will continue to go through the bypass back to the center.
At this time the air before being put on the block AHU will be filtered through the pre-filter and the filter bag. Parts of this filter to ensure the cleanliness and efficiency filter should need toilet regularity. In case if you need level clean air is higher, then people will use Hepa filters.
No gas when exposed to the heat exchanger on the inside of the system, AHU and is processed in filter then create cold air.Finally, the air will come into the chamber circulation to push cold air from the wind tunnel go to the room using the air conditioner.
2.2 Principle of operation of the Chiller system
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Cluster chiller is the most important part is located in the Chiller system to create a stream of cold water with a temperature range of about 7 degrees C to give the FCU.
The system uses phrases Chiller includes:
compressor:
- screw compressor app for the Chiller operation with cooling capacity big.
- Centrifugal compressors: Use active cooling capacity medium.
- Compressor spiral application for the system Chiller small and medium.
The condensers:
- Chiller cooling by the wind.
- Chiller cooling water: Chiller System using cooling tower water.
- Rated evaporation: User rated evaporation to cold water there are 2 different types as follows:
Water flow in pipes made of copper tube with wings.When refrigerant boiling outside the tube, the water will move inside the tube. Rated evaporation has been insulated and maintain the temperature not below 70 degrees C to prevent water from freezing inside or explosive flask.
Water flowing outside the tube: use this type can limit burst pipes due to water freezing. However, the hygiene line is quite complex.Compressor will suck slightly lip to maintain pressure evaporation stars for no change in the evaporator. Then vapor compression environment, high level, high pressure and high temperature and then condensed into liquid in the evaporator passes through the throttle down pressure and ambient temperature to cold water.
Cold water will be pumped to the FCU to make cold air inside the room. The cold water is heated up after the heat exchanger, and then is pumped back to the evaporator to be cooled.
3. Compare AHU and Chiller about the advantages
3.1 Advantages of AHU
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- The special structure of the Pannel create texture solid but lightweight, insulated and resistant to rust.
- Level low leakage
- , No cold bridges reduce the condensation occurs and energy saving, good.
- Power strip width increased diversity should be consistent with many works.
- There are heat exchangers respond well to the test conditions in the laboratory and application, in addition to real life.
- Low operating noise level.
- Certified ARI.
3.2 Chiller
- capacity operation ranged from 5 Tons to thousands of Tons.
- System, cold water pipe, lightweight, easy installation for high-rise buildings.
- Lifespan system stability and durability
- There are many levels up different loads.
- Suitable with the works large or very large works of different capacity.
- Save energy and costs
Just then MIGCO has distinguished AHU and Chiller and compare them different according to 3 basic criteria are: the design, principle of operation and advantages. If you have any questions then please leave a comment and we will respond to help you better understand the AHU and Chiller.