A liquid chiller is a cooling system that removes heat from components or devices using the circulation of a liquid, typically water. This method is more effective than air cooling as liquids conduct heat better. Liquid chillers are commonly used in high-precision applications, such as cooling lasers, laboratory instruments, and even in high-end computers to keep critical parts like CPUs and GPUs cool. They work by transferring heat through convection and circulation of the coolant.

The RIGID Compact Liquid Chiller is an integrated cooling module designed for applications where space and weight are crucial. This compact system includes a miniature compressor, drive board, condenser, evaporator, and other components, all fully charged and ready for use. It simplifies the cooling process by directly driving the refrigerant through heat exchangers, eliminating the need for additional water pumps and tubing. This makes it ideal for industries like medical, laboratory, and military applications that require reliable and efficient cooling in tight spaces.

RIGID developed compact liquid chillers to address the increasing demand for lightweight and portable cooling solutions in various industries. These chillers are designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions while providing reliable cooling and heating capabilities. They feature a built-in pump and reservoir for easy coolant circulation and can be integrated into larger systems or function as standalone units. With precise temperature control and flexibility in design, RIGID’s chillers meet the needs of mobile applications that face shock, vibration, and variable conditions.

RIGID Compact Liquid Chillers are designed to cool concentrated heat sources like laser diodes and medical devices. They operate by circulating fluid through a tube where it is cooled by a mini refrigerated compressor before flowing out through another tube. An external pump is required for the system to function effectively. The use of a mini DC compressor helps to keep the chiller’s size small while still providing powerful cooling, making it ideal for compact applications.

RIGID offers six standard types of DC Liquid Chillers: 

• Coaxial Liquid Chiller
• Plate Liquid Chiller
• Mini Water Chiller
• Copper Coil Chiller
• Stainless Steel Coil Chiller
• DC Condensing Unit

Additionally, RIGID provides custom cooling solutions tailored to meet unique customer needs, ensuring that the designs align with specific cooling requirements.

Yes, RIGID specializes in creating custom-made refrigeration systems. We collaborate closely with our clients to develop tailored cooling solutions that meet their specific demands. Beyond standard HVAC products, RIGID is committed to leveraging our refrigeration expertise to deliver innovative and effective cooling systems that consistently exceed customer expectations.

RIGID compact liquid chillers offer different radiator configurations, including Plate & Frame, Coaxial Stainless Steel, and Coil-type evaporators (heat exchangers). These chiller modules are easy to integrate into your existing system or directly into your equipment.

Key Features:

• Weight: 6.6 lbs (3.0 kg)
• DC Input: 12V, 24V, 48V
• Inverter brushless compressor
• Cooling capacity: 300 BTU to 1,600 BTU

Key Benefits:

• Small, energy-efficient DC compressor
• Available in stationary or portable models
• Reduced weight, footprint, and noise
• Fully integrated, compact design for precise thermal control

RIGID Technology specializes in designing small and mobile cooling modules and water chillers for a wide range of industries, including medical, food, laboratories, lasers, telecommunications, commercial, and industrial sectors.

Main Applications Include:

• Lasers and Chips
• Laboratories
• Electronics
• Life Sciences
• Medical Devices
• Electric Vehicles
• Vertical Farming
• Drone Docking Stations
• Battery Storage Systems
• Mini Water-chilled Systems

RIGID Compact Liquid Chillers and custom mini HVAC systems are built to meet your specific cooling needs while keeping costs, size, weight, and power use to a minimum. This helps lower the size and cost of the power supply, making your final product more competitive.

When selecting a chiller unit, there are several key factors to keep in mind:

1. Cooling Capacity

Cooling capacity refers to the amount of cooling the chiller can provide under normal operating conditions. It’s usually measured in watts and depends on factors like the evaporating and condensing temperatures. The chiller’s capacity is determined by the refrigerant flow rate, which relies on the compressor’s size, speed, and efficiency. RIGID compact liquid chillers have cooling capacities ranging from 100W to 550W. For larger chillers (880W to 1,780W), click here!

2. Refrigerant Type

The type of refrigerant used impacts performance, availability, and environmental concerns. RIGID liquid chiller modules are designed to work with R134a refrigerant.

3. Ambient Temperature

RIGID chillers are mainly for indoor use, and they require a minimum ambient temperature of +5ºC to work properly. However, RIGID has also developed a T-tropical series mini compressor that can operate at temperatures as high as 55ºC.

4. Electrical Power Available

RIGID liquid chiller modules are commonly used in mobile or portable refrigeration systems powered by DC sources like batteries, fuel cells, vehicle alternators, solar panels, or AC inverters. Be sure to choose a compressor that matches the DC voltage available. RIGID compressors come in 12V, 24V, and 48V versions.

5. Size and Cooling

RIGID chillers are compact and high-performing, making them ideal for applications where space is limited. The chiller’s size is only 7.85 × 6.3 × 6.7 inches, and it weighs just 6.6 lbs. Despite its small size, it provides cooling from 100W to 550W.

The RIGID Compact Liquid Chiller (LCM) is a small, sealed refrigeration system that comes with everything you need for cooling. It includes:

• A mini compressor (variable speed DC)
• A drive board (sine wave)
• A condenser
• An evaporator
• A capillary tube or expansion valve
• A filter drier
• Blowers and fans
• Other small refrigeration components

The chiller is pre-charged with refrigerant before shipping, insulated, and mounted on a baseplate for easy installation into your system.

To use it, simply connect your coolant loop to the evaporator and provide airflow over the condenser. You can also adjust the compressor speed through the driver board to control the cooling performance.

The RIGID Mini Compressor offers several advantages over thermoelectric systems, especially when used in a refrigeration setup with a high-performance condenser and evaporator. Here’s how they compare:

• Space Savings: The RIGID mini compressor allows the entire refrigeration system to fit into a very small package, as small as 100 in³ (1.64 litres). This means more space is available for product storage, which is often more important than reducing weight in most refrigerated appliances.
• Weight Reduction: Using a mini compressor can reduce the overall weight of the system by about 10 lbs (4.54 kg), which is a significant benefit in portable or mobile applications.
• Better Performance & Efficiency: A small vapour compression system with the RIGID mini compressor performs much better than thermoelectric coolers. When cooling needs exceed 100W, the mini compressor system is much more efficient, offering:

a. ¼ to ½ the weight and volume of thermoelectric systems

b. 1/3 to ½ the power consumption

In short, for higher cooling capacities, the RIGID mini compressor system is far superior to thermoelectric systems, offering better performance, smaller size, and lower energy use.

RIGID Compact Liquid Chillers are efficient, self-contained refrigeration units that use R134A coolant. They feature a mini condenser, evaporator, filter drier, driver board, and other essential components—all carefully designed and integrated into one compact unit. These chillers circulate chilled water through pipes and have a small footprint, making them easy to transport and install.

Key Benefits:

• Extremely Small, Yet Powerful: Compact design with high performance.
• DC Rotary Variable Speed: Runs on 12V, 24V, or 48V DC power.
• Reliable and Precise: Ideal for consistent cooling and refrigeration.
• Lightweight and Portable: Perfect for a wide range of small refrigeration applications.
• Flexible Power Options: Can operate on battery, vehicle, grid, or solar power.

These chillers are designed to provide effective cooling while saving space and reducing weight.