Welcome to the Chiller Science Popularization Classroom!
- "How much power should be selected for a laser device when equipped with a chiller?"
- Choosing a higher power? The initial investment will be high; choosing a lower power? The temperature control won't keep up, the equipment will overheat and shut down, and even the core components may be damaged...This article will teach you how to match the most suitable chiller model for the cooled equipment. If you have any questions about the content of this article, or if you want to learn more about chiller knowledge, please leave a message in the comment section~ 

Step 1: Estimate the total heat generation of the cooled equipment
Since the heat generation mechanisms of different devices are different, the calculation method for the total heat generation also varies:
☑️ Laser equipment: Check the electrical-optical conversion efficiency
For example, a 1000W fiber laser with an electrical-optical conversion efficiency of approximately 30%:
Heat generation = Laser power × (1 - Electrical-optical conversion efficiency) = 1000W × (1 - 30%) = 700W ≈ 0.7kW
At this point, 0.7kW can be taken as the basic cooling requirement, and the safety margin (see below) can be added later. 
☑️ Electronic equipment: Consider power consumption and efficiency
For example, a power supply with a rated input power of 5kW, the equipment efficiency is approximately 85%:
Heat generation = Total power consumption × (1 - Equipment efficiency) + Other losses = 5kW × (1 - 85%) = 0.75kW
At this point, 0.75kW can be taken as the basic cooling requirement, and the safety margin (see below) can be added later. 
☑️ Missing equipment parameters? Actual measurement is the most reliable method.
If accurate parameters cannot be obtained, the following methods can be used to measure the heat output:
1. Temperature rise method: Measure the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of the cooling water, and calculate the heat load based on the flow rate;
2. Thermal imaging method: Use an infrared thermal imager to scan the surface of the equipment, and infer the total heat output (this requires correction based on experience). 

Step 2: Consider safety factor and margin
Taking into account the impact of equipment aging and environmental temperature rise on heat load and cooling efficiency, a certain safety margin should be reserved during the selection process to prevent the chiller from operating at full load for a long time, which could affect its service life.
☑️ Recommended safety factor: 1.2 to 1.5 times
Cooling capacity of the chiller (1000W fiber laser) = Equipment heat generation × (1.2 to 1.5) = 0.7kW × (1.2 to 1.5)
Cooling capacity of the chiller (5kW power supply) = Equipment heat generation × (1.2 to 1.5) = 0.75kW × (1.2 to 1.5) 

Step 3: Consider other important attributes
☑️ Temperature control accuracy
Select based on different temperature control accuracy requirements:
• ±0.1℃ accuracy requirement → choose high-precision PID temperature control model
• ±1℃ accuracy requirement → choose regular temperature control model
• For general cooling → choose basic model
☑️ Cooling medium selection
Provide different cooling media according to different customer needs:
• Deionized water (anti-scaling)
• Ethylene glycol water solution (anti-freezing)
• Electronic fluorinated liquid (insulation, high stability)
☑️ Flow rate and head
Too small flow rate: insufficient heat exchange, poor temperature control effect
Insufficient head: when the pipeline is long or the height difference is large, water circulation is interrupted
Please provide the total length of the pipeline, height difference and the number of joints, and we will assist in calculating the required pump flow rate and head parameters. 

Cold water machine selection practical case
Customer requirement: To configure a cold water machine for a 3kW fiber laser.
Step 1: Estimate the heat generation of the equipment
Heat generation = Laser power × (1 - Electrical-optical conversion efficiency) = 3kW × (1 - 30%) = 2.1kW
Step 2: Consider the safety factor
Circulating capacity of the cold water machine = Heat generation × Safety factor = 2.1kW × 1.3 ≈ 2.73kW
Step 3: Confirm the precision requirement
The laser requires a temperature control accuracy higher than ±0.5℃ → Select a high-precision PID model
Step 4: Evaluate the environmental conditions
The maximum temperature in the summer workshop is 35℃, and the heat dissipation condition is good, so no additional margin is needed
Final solution: Select a 3kW high-precision cold water machine with temperature control accuracy of ±0.1℃ 

FerroTec leads the way in providing professional cooling machine selection services for you: Just provide the equipment power, temperature control requirements and usage environment conditions, and we can match the corresponding cooling machine solution for you: Widely applicable in high-precision temperature control scenarios such as laser, thermoelectric, and medical fields.