Industrial Chiller Heat Pumps for Efficient Heating and Cooling

The HEN reversible industrial chiller heat pumps are part of Friulair’s portfolio of
Industrial Liquid Chillers, designed to provide efficient and sustainable thermal energy management for industrial production facilities.

Specifically developed for applications such as wineries and breweries, these systems help achieve high productivity levels while ensuring stable process temperatures and consistent final product quality.

HEN units integrate both cooling and heating functions into a single system. They feature a robust refrigeration circuit with a thermostatic expansion valve sized to operate across a dual water set point range, from +7 °C in cooling mode to −8 °C in heating mode, ensuring reliable and flexible temperature control.

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What Are Heat Pump Chillers and How They Work

What Is a Chiller Heat Pump?

Chiller heat pumps are versatile industrial systems that provide both cooling and heating by transferring thermal energy between a process fluid and the surrounding environment.

Unlike traditional solutions such as Air‑Cooled Liquid Chillers, chiller heat pumps not only remove heat from a process but also recover and reuse it for heating purposes. This makes them an energy‑efficient option for applications requiring flexible temperature control or simultaneous heating and cooling.

Thanks to their heat‑recovery capability, chiller heat pumps enable optimized energy use, contributing to a lower carbon footprint, especially when equipped with modern, eco‑friendly refrigerants.

Working Principle of Chiller Heat Pumps

Heating Mode

In heating mode, the refrigerant:

  1. Absorbs thermal energy from the environment (air, water, or ground) through the evaporator
  2. Is compressed to increase temperature and pressure
  3. Transfers heat to the process fluid or air via the condenser

Cooling Mode

In cooling mode:

  1. Heat is absorbed from the process fluid or space being cooled by the evaporator
  2. The refrigerant releases this heat to the environment or to another recovery circuit through the condenser

This reversible operation allows a single chiller heat pump to efficiently support year‑round industrial processes.

Key Features and Advantages of Friulair Chiller Heat Pumps

Energy Efficiency

Friulair chiller heat pumps are engineered to optimize energy consumption through advanced refrigeration technologies that reduce power usage while maintaining high performance.

When combined with additional efficiency‑driven solutions such as free-cooling, overall plant efficiency is further enhanced, leading to noticeable reductions in operating costs.

Dual Heating and Cooling Function

HEN reversible industrial heat pumps can operate in both heating and cooling modes, making them particularly suitable for applications such as wineries and breweries, where temperature requirements vary throughout the production cycle. A single system replaces separate heating and cooling units, reducing installation complexity and total cost.

Reliability and Operational Continuity

The durability of Friulair chiller heat pumps is ensured through the use of high‑quality mechanical and electronic components from leading international suppliers. Robust refrigeration circuits, advanced protection systems, and comprehensive testing procedures contribute to:

  • consistent operational reliability
  • reduced downtime
  • fewer maintenance interventions
  • lower long‑term ownership costs

Environmental Sustainability

As an alternative to the HEN range using R410A refrigerant, Friulair offers the LHEN range equipped with low‑GWP R454B refrigerant. This option supports companies aiming to reduce environmental impact and comply with evolving emissions regulations.

Reduced Operating Costs

Thanks to a high Coefficient of Performance (COP), industrial chiller heat pumps ensure significant reductions in energy consumption. Optimized electrical usage directly translates into lower long‑term operating costs.

Versatility and Configuration Flexibility

A wide range of options allows Friulair chiller heat pumps to be configured according to specific application and operational requirements, ensuring maximum adaptability across different industrial processes.

Tailor‑Made System Design

Each chiller heat pump is carefully sized to match the customer’s specific needs, enabling seamless integration into existing installations or new facilities while avoiding unnecessary power consumption.

Design for Easy Maintenance

Units are designed for outdoor installation and resistance to environmental conditions. Removable panels provide immediate access to components, while clear layouts, simplified hydraulic and refrigeration circuits, and numbered electrical wiring facilitate routine inspections and maintenance activities.

Industry 4.0 Connectivity

HEN chiller heat pumps are equipped with electronic controllers featuring RS485 serial communication and Modbus RTU protocol, enabling integration with automation systems and centralized remote monitoring.

Proprietary Control Software

Each unit is supplied with dedicated software tailored to the specific operating logic of the range, ensuring optimal performance across a wide variety of industrial applications.

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Our Range of Chiller Heat Pumps

HEN Chiller Heat Pump Range

The HEN chiller heat pump range includes 14 models, with cooling capacities from 10 to 96 kW, and is designed for outdoor installation using standard components suitable for low‑temperature operation.

Friulair chiller heat pumps are used across multiple
industrial chiller applications, including wineries, breweries and other process‑intensive sectors, where stable temperature control directly contributes to higher productivity and improved product quality.

FAQ — Chiller Heat Pumps

A chiller heat pump is an industrial system that provides both cooling and heating by transferring heat rather than generating it. It recovers thermal energy from the cooling process and makes it available for heating applications.

Looking for an Efficient Chiller Heat Pump Solution?

Friulair supports you in selecting and configuring the right chiller heat pump for your industrial application. Our experts help you maximize energy efficiency, heat recovery, and long‑term reliability.