Chillers and recirculating coolers remove heat from laboratory instruments, reactors, and process equipment by circulating a cooled fluid in a closed loop. They replace single-pass tap water cooling, holding a stable low temperature while saving water and improving process control. From benchtop units cooling a rotary evaporator to floor-standing process chillers serving a reactor, this equipment keeps temperature-sensitive processes stable and reproducible.

Buyers include laboratory and process engineers, QC teams, and procurement staff in pharmaceutical, biotech, and research organisations. Browse new and used chillers and recirculating coolers from verified sellers on Machinery Masters.

What Is a Recirculating Chiller?

A recirculating chiller is a closed-loop cooling system that removes heat from connected equipment and holds it at a set temperature. It cools a fluid, usually water or a water-glycol mix, and pumps it out to the process and back in a continuous loop. Because the loop is sealed, the same fluid recirculates rather than running to drain, which gives stable temperature control and avoids the waste and variability of mains water cooling. A built-in temperature controller holds the setpoint precisely, so the cooled equipment sees a consistent supply temperature.

Chillers & Recirculating Coolers Brands

Machinery Masters lists new and used chillers and recirculating coolers from established manufacturers, including the following:

Julabo
Huber
Lauda
PolyScience
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Grant Instruments
TermoTek
KNF
Van der Heijden
Riedel

Chillers & Recirculating Coolers Product Types

Chillers are available in configurations matched to the cooling load, the temperature range, and how the unit rejects heat. Selecting the correct type keeps cooling reliable while fitting your space and utilities. The main differences relate to cooling capacity, temperature range, and whether the chiller is air-cooled or water-cooled.

Recirculating Chillers

Recirculating chillers combine a refrigeration system, a reservoir, and a pump to deliver cooled fluid in a closed loop. Benchtop models suit single instruments, while floor-standing models serve larger or multiple loads, and both hold a stable supply temperature to the connected equipment.

Air-Cooled Chillers

Air-cooled chillers reject heat to the surrounding air through a fan and condenser. They need no cooling water supply, which makes them simple to install wherever there is adequate ventilation and space to release warm air.

Water-Cooled Chillers

Water-cooled chillers reject heat to a facility water supply rather than to the room. They suit higher cooling loads and spaces where releasing heat to the air is a problem, and they run quietly without adding heat to the laboratory.

Low-Temperature Chillers

Low-temperature chillers extend the range well below the ambient cooling that standard units provide. They suit applications that need deep cooling, such as trapping solvents or holding reactions at low setpoints.

Process and Industrial Chillers

Process and industrial chillers provide higher cooling capacity for manufacturing equipment and pilot or production reactors. They deliver reliable, continuous cooling at the scale that process operations require.

Chillers & Recirculating Coolers: Applications and Uses

Chillers serve any process that generates heat which must be removed to hold a stable temperature. The right specification depends on the cooling load, the temperature range, and the installation.

Cooling Analytical Instruments

Recirculating chillers cool analytical instruments such as rotary evaporators, ICP spectrometers, lasers, and NMR systems. Stable cooling protects the instrument and removes a source of measurement drift, which supports reproducible, validated analysis.

Reactor and Reaction Temperature Control

Chillers remove heat from jacketed reactors to control reaction temperature and manage exotherms. Holding the reaction at its target temperature drives yield, selectivity, and safety during synthesis and scale-up.

Process Equipment Cooling

Chillers cool process equipment across pharmaceutical manufacturing, from condensers to vacuum systems. Reliable cooling keeps each process within its validated range and supports continuous operation.

Replacing Single-Pass Water Cooling

A recirculating chiller replaces mains water run to drain for cooling, which cuts water use and cost. The closed loop also holds a more stable temperature than mains water, so it improves process control while reducing consumption.

How to Choose a Chiller

Match the chiller to the load and the installation by working through these steps:

Calculate the cooling load, the amount of heat the process generates, in watts or kilowatts.
Confirm the temperature range you need, including any below-ambient setpoints.
Choose air-cooled for simple installation or water-cooled for higher loads and heat-sensitive spaces.
Check the pump flow and pressure required by the connected equipment.
Confirm the fluid compatibility and any documentation needed for GMP use.
For used equipment, request service history and refrigerant details before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a recirculating chiller work?

A recirculating chiller cools a fluid with a refrigeration system, stores it in a reservoir, and pumps it to the connected equipment in a closed loop. The fluid absorbs heat from the process, returns to the chiller, and is cooled again. A temperature controller holds the setpoint so the equipment receives a stable supply temperature while the same fluid circulates continuously.

What is the difference between an air-cooled and a water-cooled chiller?

An air-cooled chiller rejects heat to the surrounding air with a fan, so it needs no cooling water but does need ventilation and releases warm air into the space. A water-cooled chiller rejects heat to a facility water supply, which suits higher cooling loads and rooms where adding heat is a problem. Choose air-cooled for simple installation and water-cooled for larger loads or heat-sensitive areas.

What size chiller do I need?

Chiller size is set by the cooling load, the heat your process generates, plus a margin for the pump and losses. Work out the load in watts or kilowatts at your lowest setpoint, since cooling capacity falls as the temperature drops. Match the pump flow and pressure to the connected equipment as well, so the fluid circulates at the required rate.

What is the difference between new and used chillers?

New chillers include a manufacturer warranty and current refrigerant, while used chillers offer significant savings when sourced from a reputable seller with a documented history. Before you buy a used chiller, confirm its service history, check the refrigerant type and condition, and verify the cooling capacity meets your load.

How can I find chillers and recirculating coolers on Machinery Masters?

Browse Machinery Masters for new and used recirculating, air-cooled, water-cooled, and process chillers from verified sellers. Filter by type, brand, and cooling capacity, then contact the seller to confirm service history and specifications before you purchase.