Air Cooled Screw Chiller 316-1,449 kW Variable-Speed Screw Triple Free Cooling R134a R513A T3 Certified
High-Capacity Workhorse for Demanding Projects
When building programs require more than 900 kW of cooling capacity—such as large hospitals, data centers, or industrial process facilities—engineers transition from scroll to screw compression. The AirBoost air-cooled screw chiller delivers 316 to 1,449 kW with variable-speed screw compressors that maintain high efficiency across the entire load range. Its triple free cooling capability (air-side, water-side, and desuperheater) converts waste heat into useful energy for domestic hot water production.
For building designers, the AirBoost addresses a common challenge: delivering substantial cooling capacity without the water consumption, maintenance burden, and Legionella risk associated with cooling tower systems. The air-cooled configuration eliminates the need for rooftop cooling towers, basement condenser water systems, and water treatment programs, while providing screw-class capacity and efficiency.
Key Features
Variable-Speed Screw Compressors
The AirBoost utilizes variable-speed drive (VSD) on its twin screw compressors, enabling continuous capacity modulation from minimum to maximum without the inefficiencies of traditional hot gas bypass or slide valve systems. The VSD adjusts motor speed to precisely match cooling load at every moment, reducing energy consumption at partial load by up to 35% compared to fixed-speed screw compressors.
Design Benefits:
- Continuous stepless modulation—no inefficient step-loading or hot gas bypass
- Up to 35% part-load savings compared to fixed-speed screw compressors
- COP 3.45 at full load—strong baseline efficiency for large-capacity air-cooled systems
- IPLV 4.7—excellent integrated performance for annual energy modeling
- Soft starting—reduced inrush current means smaller electrical infrastructure
- Lower vibration—VSD operation produces less mechanical vibration than fixed-speed systems
Triple Free Cooling System
The AirBoost's defining advantage is its triple free cooling capability, capturing waste heat from the refrigeration cycle and redirecting it for useful purposes:
Air-side free cooling: When ambient temperature drops below chilled water setpoint, condenser fans circulate cool outdoor air through a dedicated free cooling coil—the compressor slows or stops, providing "free" cooling with minimal fan energy.
Water-side free cooling: In shoulder seasons, the chiller provides elevated chilled water temperatures while using ambient air to cool the condenser, running at minimum speed and consuming only a fraction of full-load power.
Desuperheater heat recovery: Hot discharge gas from the screw compressor passes through a desuperheater coil before entering the condenser, transferring heat to a domestic hot water circuit for free hot water whenever the chiller operates.
Design Benefits:
- Air-side: Compressor-free cooling for months in temperate climates
- Water-side: Low-power shoulder season operation at 20-30% of full-load power
- Desuperheater: Free hot water production whenever chiller runs
- Annual energy reduction of 30-50% through combined free cooling modes
- Reduced boiler capacity needed due to heat recovery offsetting winter hot water demand
- Sustainability credit contributions for LEED, BREEAM, and Green Star certifications
T3 55°C Certified for Extreme Climates
The AirBoost is certified for T3 conditions—delivering full cooling capacity at 55°C ambient temperature. This certification is critical for projects in the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa where summer design temperatures regularly exceed 45°C.
Design Benefits:
- Full capacity at 55°C—no oversizing required for extreme climate projects
- No derating penalties—nameplate capacity equals delivered capacity in desert conditions
- Proven reliability with thousands of units operating in Middle East and Africa
- Reduced equipment count—fewer, larger units needed compared to T1/T2-rated chillers
- Lower lifecycle cost—correct sizing from day one avoids expensive retrofits
- Client confidence—T3 certification is a recognized quality signal in hot-climate markets
R134a / R513A Refrigerant Options
The AirBoost uses R134a, the most widely available HFC refrigerant for large screw chillers, with R513A as a low-GWP alternative. R134a is well-understood by service technicians worldwide and available in every market. R513A (GWP 631 vs. R134a's GWP 1,430) offers a drop-in replacement for projects targeting reduced global warming impact under F-Gas regulations.
Design Benefits:
- R134a: Global availability and serviceability in any market worldwide
- R513A: Low-GWP option with 56% lower GWP, drop-in compatible
- F-Gas regulation compliant—both refrigerants meet current and near-future regulations
- Non-flammable (A1 safety class)—no special safety measures required
- Well-established service network—every HVAC technician can service R134a systems
- Future transition path—R513A positions designs for lower-GWP future requirements
Robust Construction for 20+ Year Service Life
Built on a heavy-duty platform proven in commercial and industrial applications for over two decades, the AirBoost features semi-hermetic twin screw compressors that are serviceable—bearings, seals, and valves can be replaced without removing the compressor from the unit. Microchannel condenser coils are corrosion-resistant and designed for a 20-year minimum service life with routine cleaning.
Design Benefits:
- Semi-hermetic screw compressors—field-serviceable without full replacement
- Microchannel condenser—corrosion-resistant with 20-year minimum service life
- Shell-and-tube evaporator—proven technology, cleanable and inspectable
- Heavy-duty frame—structural steel base designed for rooftop and outdoor installation
- IP55 control panel—dust and water jet protection for electrical components
- Comprehensive spare parts availability—20+ year parts supply commitment
Building Management System Integration
The AirBoost provides comprehensive BMS integration through standard protocols (Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet IP). All operating parameters are accessible, including compressor speed, capacity percentage, supply/return water temperatures, ambient temperature, energy consumption, free cooling mode status, and fault codes with diagnostic descriptions.
Design Benefits:
- Full BMS integration with Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP/IP, and BACnet IP
- Real-time energy monitoring with kWh tracking for each compressor independently
- Automated free cooling management—BMS controls mode switchover based on ambient conditions
- Predictive maintenance alerts for compressor vibration, oil analysis, and performance trends
- Historical data logging supporting post-occupancy performance verification
- Remote access capability for diagnostics and parameter adjustment via secure internet connection
Technical Specifications
| Parameter |
Value |
| Cooling Capacity |
316-1,449 kW (single circuit) |
| Compressor Type |
Variable-speed twin screw |
| Refrigerant |
R134a / R513A |
| COP (Full Load) |
3.45 |
| IPLV |
4.7 |
| Climate Class |
T3—Full capacity at 55°C ambient |
| Voltage |
380-415V/50Hz (other on request) |
| Free Cooling Modes |
Air-side, Water-side, Desuperheater |
| Certifications |
CE, Eurovent, AHRI 550/590, TUV SUD |
| BMS Protocols |
Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet IP |
| Installation |
Rooftop/ground outdoor |
| Warranty |
5 years |
Ideal Applications
- Hospitals and healthcare—large cooling loads with hot water recovery for sterilization
- Hotels and resorts—free hot water from desuperheater offsets boiler demand
- Data centers—high-capacity cooling with free cooling for extended hours
- Industrial process cooling—precise temperature control with variable speed
- Large commercial buildings—where scroll capacity is insufficient but centrifugal is oversized
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing—reliable cooling with heat recovery for process hot water
- District cooling plants—multiple AirBoost units in centralized chiller plant
- Food and beverage processing—cooling + hot water recovery for cleaning processes
- Universities and research campuses—variable loads with extended operating hours
- Extreme climate regions—Middle East, South Asia, Africa projects requiring T3 rating
Certifications & Standards
- CE Certification—European Economic Area compliance
- Eurovent Certification—verified performance for European specifications
- AHRI 550/590—verified performance for North American standards
- TUV SUD Certification—additional safety and quality verification
- ISO 9001/14001/45001—quality, environmental, and occupational health management systems