Air Cooled Modular Chiller 35-2,240 kW
Modular Design Phased Chiller Plant T3 55°C Multiple Refrigerant Options
The Chiller Plant That Grows With Your Building
The air-cooled modular chiller is engineered for phased building projects. Each module operates as an independent cooling unit with its own compressor, refrigerant circuit, and controls. Design the piping header initially and add modules to the rooftop as the building expands—no new pumps, risers, or plant room redesign required. This simplifies engineering as the project evolves.
For building designers, modular chillers eliminate the challenge of committing to fixed capacity before the building program is finalized. Start with 70 kW for a small commercial block and scale to 2,240 kW for large complexes using the same platform, piping architecture, and control protocol.
Key Features Deep Dive
True Modular Architecture for Phased Development
Unlike traditional monolithic chillers requiring full capacity upfront, modular chillers support incremental investment. Each module is a self-contained unit with compressor, condenser, evaporator, controls, and safety devices in one chassis. Modules connect to a common header pipe and operate independently.
Design Benefits:
- Start small and scale as needed—initial investment matches Phase 1 budget
- No wasted spare capacity—every kW installed serves a real load
- Future expansion is plug-and-play—new modules connect to existing headers
- Zero downtime during expansion—existing modules remain operational
- Identical spare parts across all modules—one set covers the entire plant
- Design flexibility through construction phases—adapt to changing building programs
Three Platform Options for Different Design Priorities
Choose from three optimized platforms: Midea Series (35-1,050 kW, R410A) for refrigerant availability; Climaveneta Series (41-1,190 kW, R452A/R290) for low-GWP and F-Gas compliance; and Climaveneta A.W.S. Series (53-2,240 kW, R134a/R513A) for large capacity applications.
Design Benefits:
- Match platform to project priorities—R410A for availability, R452A/R290 for low GWP, R134a for large capacity
- F-Gas regulation compliance—low-GWP options future-proof the design
- Multiple certified combinations—each series offers 15-20 capacity points
- T3 55°C certification across all platforms—reliable performance in extreme climates
- Consistent footprint philosophy—all platforms designed for rooftop modular arrangement
- Flexible voltage options—200-440V, 50/60Hz for global projects
Rooftop Placement Eliminates Dedicated Plant Room
Air-cooled modular chillers mount directly on the rooftop structural slab, eliminating the need for a dedicated chiller plant room. This improves the building's net-to-gross floor area ratio, creating more rentable or sellable space.
Design Benefits:
- No dedicated chiller room—frees up basement or ground floor for parking or retail
- Improved net-to-gross ratio—better project economics
- Structural load distributed—multiple small units vs. one heavy monolithic chiller
- Simplified fire safety—no large refrigerant charge in enclosed spaces
- Natural ventilation for condensers—unrestricted rooftop airflow
- Architectural screening options—modules can be screened with louvers or enclosures
Standardized Header Piping Design
All modules connect to a common header pipe with standardized connections. The hydraulic design features constant primary flow through each module and variable secondary flow to the building, simplifying MEP calculations and reducing pipe fittings.
Design Benefits:
- Standardized connections—predictable pipe sizes and fittings
- Constant primary / variable secondary—clean hydraulic separation
- Reduced pipe fittings—header design minimizes elbows and tees
- Isolation valves per module—maintenance without system shutdown
- Flexible routing options—linear, L-shape, or U-shape arrangements
- Future tee-off points pre-installed—spare connections for expansion
Building Management System Integration
Every modular chiller communicates via standard BMS protocols—Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP/IP, and BACnet IP. The system exposes critical data points for sequencing, optimization, and reporting.
Design Benefits:
- Standard protocols—Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet IP natively supported
- Full data point transparency—all parameters accessible from BMS
- Automatic module staging—optimal efficiency sequencing
- Energy metering per module—granular tracking for sustainability reporting
- Remote fault notification—alerts sent to facility management
- Historical data logging—supports performance verification
Acoustic Management for Sensitive Sites
Modular chillers address acoustic challenges through scroll compressor quietness, low-speed condenser fans, and optional acoustic enclosures for noise-sensitive environments.
Design Benefits:
- Scroll compressor quietness—inherently lower noise than screw/centrifugal
- Low-speed fans—large diameter, low RPM reduces tonal noise
- Optional acoustic enclosures—for noise-sensitive rooftop environments
- Sound attenuation data provided—full octave band data for acoustic design
- Vibration isolation standard—spring isolators included for all modules
- Placement flexibility—distribute modules to avoid noise concentration
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|
| Cooling Capacity | 35-2,240 kW (single circuit) |
| Heating Capacity | Available (heat pump models) |
| Refrigerant Options | R410A / R452A / R290 / R134a / R513A |
| Platform Options | Midea Series (35-1,050 kW) / Climaveneta (41-1,190 kW) / A.W.S. (53-2,240 kW) |
| Climate Class | T3—Full capacity at 55°C ambient |
| Voltage | 200-440V, 50/60Hz |
| Certifications | CE, Eurovent, AHRI 550/590 |
| BMS Protocols | Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet IP |
| Installation | Rooftop outdoor |
| Warranty | 5 years |
Ideal Applications
- Phased commercial developments—expand capacity as occupancy grows
- Multi-building campus projects—modular units distributed across buildings
- Hotels and resorts—common phased construction in hospitality
- Retail parks and shopping centers—tenant fit-out schedules drive phased capacity
- Educational institutions—master plan growth over 10-20 years
- Data centers—modular IT loads require modular cooling
- Industrial parks—tenant-by-tenant development
- Hospitals—future wing expansions planned in master plan
- Mixed-use developments—residential and commercial phases differ
- Existing buildings—where plant room space is limited or unavailable
Certifications & Standards
- CE Certification—European Economic Area compliance
- Eurovent Certification—verified performance for European specifications
- AHRI 550/590—verified performance for North American specifications
- ISO 9001/14001/45001—quality, environmental, and occupational health management systems
