Psychrologix™

Dynamic and Efficient

Chiltrix small air cooled chillers with Psychrologix™ control use a unique psychrometric controls approach coupled with variable speed compressors, variable speed pumps,  variable speed fans, etc. The Chiltrix chillers match their capacity to the load so precisely that often buffer tanks are not needed. Not only is capacity matched in real time, but the parameters are continuously adjusted in response to conditions. For example, when more dehumidification is needed, the Psychrologix™ DHC controller lowers the indoor unit coil temperature to remove more humidity. When humidity is under control, the system raises the coil temperature to a more energy-efficient temperature that still provides the needed sensible cooling, but does not remove as much humidity, or may at times remove no humidity at all if humidity is already low enough.

Humidity removal (dehumidification, or latent heat removal) is very energy intensive and consumes a large part of the total energy used by an air conditioner. When needed, dehumidification is a good thing and the Chiltrix chillers do an outstanding job of humidity removal. Chiltrix chillers with psychrometric controls can also automatically perform hyper-dehumidification by increasing humidity removal to levels that surpass those of a normal chiller or air conditioner, if needed, to deal with extra high humidity.

Humidity does not easily pass through walls like heat, it requires fluid communication (air being a fluid) with a more humid area, like for example, a door opening to the outside on a humid day, or an internal source such as a steamy hot shower or people exercising, etc. Once indoor humidity is under control and within the user-defined range, humidity should remain low for extended periods without additional dehumidification unless additional humidity is introduced into the space. During periods when humidity is in range, the Psychrologix™ DHC controller will automatically adjust the chiller parameters to provide thermostat cooling, but not provide dehumidification. Turning off dehumidification saves a very large amount of energy when conditions allow and prevents over-drying of the air.

Simplified Efficiency & Humidity Example:
A Chiltrix heat pump operating at the industry standard chiller loop temperature of 44 °F achieves around EER 22, exceptionally high when compared to standard systems. However, when humidity is under the set limit, there is no need to operate the loop at 44 °F since with a loop at 50 °F or 55 °F, thermostat temperature settings can still be maintained. So when  humidity allows, DHC raises the supply target temperature such that average efficiency rises to EER 30 or higher.  Simply stated, when indoor humidity is under the user-defined limit, the Psychrologix™ DHC controller allows the system to run at a more efficient temperature. In some cases, the loop may be adjusted as high as 59 °F producing average EER as high as EER 35. And likewise, if humidity is particularly high, the system loop may be dropped as low as 40F to perform hyper-dehumidification. In this manner, both system efficiency and humidity are dynamically controlled.