5–20 HP Medium Water-Cooled Chillers
APT 5–20 HP medium water-cooled chillers are configurable process cooling units for factory equipment, single-machine cooling, injection molding, laser equipment, electroplating, CNC machines, hydraulic systems, laboratory equipment, process tanks, and medium-duty industrial cooling applications. Compressor type, condenser, evaporator, pump, tank, refrigerant, voltage, control system, and water circuit materials can be configured according to process load, condenser water conditions, coolant type, and installation requirements.
When Should You Choose a 5–20 HP Water-Cooled Chiller?
A 5–20 HP medium water-cooled chiller is suitable when factory equipment or a medium-duty process needs stable chilled-water cooling and the site has a cooling tower, condenser water loop, or plant cooling water system. It is commonly reviewed for injection molding, laser equipment, electroplating, CNC machines, hydraulic systems, laboratory equipment, process tanks, and single-machine industrial cooling where compact layout, pump and tank configuration, and efficient heat rejection are important.
Where This 5–20 HP Series Fits in the APT Water-Cooled Chiller Range
This page covers the 5–20 HP configurable medium water-cooled chiller range. It sits between small water-cooled process chillers and 20–50 HP industrial water-cooled chillers, making it well suited for single machines, small production lines, process tanks, and factory equipment support cooling.
Small Water-Cooled Process Chiller
Compact equipment, lab systems, CNC, and point-of-use cooling with available plant water.
View Small Series → Current Series5–20 HP Medium Water-Cooled Chiller
Configurable medium-duty process cooling for single machines, process tanks, and factory equipment.
Current Page → Industrial Range20–50 HP Industrial Water-Cooled Chiller
Larger water-cooled process chillers for continuous industrial cooling and heavier heat loads.
View 20–50 HP → Large SystemsLarge Water-Cooled Chiller System
50+ HP and centralized chilled-water systems for plant-level process cooling.
View Large Systems → CustomCustom Water-Cooled Chiller
Custom engineering for corrosion-resistant circuits, special fluids, safety, voltage, and controls.
Review Custom →5–20 HP Water-Cooled Chiller Capacity Direction Matrix
Use this table for preliminary direction only. Final model selection requires chilled-water and condenser-water side information.
| Model Direction | Reference Cooling Direction | Typical Applications | Key Selection Point | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 HP | Entry medium water-cooled process cooling | CNC, small laser, lab equipment, small process loop | Heat load, chilled-water temperature, pump flow, condenser water condition | Request 5 HP Review → |
| 10 HP | Standard medium process cooling | Injection molding, laser, electroplating, hydraulic cooling | Cooling tower capacity, condenser water temperature, pump pressure | Request 10 HP Review → |
| 15 HP | Higher medium-duty cooling | Process tank, small production line, factory equipment, plating bath | Duty cycle, tank volume, water quality, material review | Request 15 HP Review → |
| 20 HP | Upper medium water-cooled range | Medium-large equipment, process cooling loop, injection molding, hydraulic systems | Heat load margin, condenser water flow, installation layout | Request 20 HP Review → |
Configurable Medium Water-Cooled Chiller Architecture
This 5–20 HP range should be treated as a configurable medium water-cooled chiller platform, not a fixed catalog model.
Compressor Platform
Scroll, semi-hermetic, or multiple-compressor directions can be reviewed according to capacity, target temperature, duty cycle, and reliability requirement.
Water-Cooled Condenser
Shell-and-tube water-cooled condenser configuration is reviewed according to condenser water temperature, flow, quality, and cleaning requirements.
Evaporator / Process Heat Exchanger
Plate, shell-and-tube, tank coil, stainless, or corrosion-resistant options can be reviewed according to process fluid and water quality.
Pump & Tank Arrangement
Built-in tank, external tank, no-tank layout, standard pump, high-flow pump, high-pressure pump, bypass, and filter options can be reviewed.
Control Panel & Protection
Digital control, PLC, remote alarm, anti-freeze, pressure, flow, overload, and phase protection can be configured.
Water Circuit Material Review
Stainless steel, anti-corrosion, secondary loop, chemical process, or special fluid requirements should be reviewed as engineering options.
Condenser Water & Cooling Tower Requirements
A 5–20 HP water-cooled chiller requires stable condenser water from a cooling tower or plant cooling water loop. Before selection, condenser water inlet temperature, outlet temperature, flow rate, water quality, filtration, pipe distance, pressure drop, and maintenance access should be reviewed.
Condenser Water Temperature
Confirm condenser water inlet and outlet temperature because it directly affects compressor load and cooling performance.
Cooling Tower or Plant Water Loop
Selection should consider whether the condenser side will connect to an independent cooling tower or a shared plant water loop.
Water Quality & Filtration
Scaling, fouling, filtration quality, and treatment directly affect condenser reliability and service interval.
Piping, Flow & Maintenance Access
Pipe distance, flow balance, pressure drop, and cleaning access should be reviewed during initial layout planning.
Configuration Options Matrix
| Configuration Item | Available Options | Selection Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Compressor | Scroll / semi-hermetic / multiple compressors | Selected by cooling capacity, target temperature, duty cycle, and reliability requirement |
| Condenser | Shell-and-tube water-cooled condenser | Selected by condenser water temperature, flow, water quality, and cleaning requirement |
| Evaporator | Plate / shell-and-tube / tank coil | Selected by process fluid, water quality, flow rate, and maintenance need |
| Water Tank | Built-in / external / no tank | Selected by system volume, temperature stability, and installation layout |
| Pump | Standard / high-flow / high-pressure / external | Selected by flow rate, pressure loss, pipe distance, and equipment resistance |
| Control | Digital / PLC / remote alarm | Selected by equipment interlock, alarm, and monitoring requirement |
| Voltage | 380V / 3PH / 50Hz or customized | Selected by destination country and site power supply |
| Refrigerant | R410A / R407C / R134a / project-specific | Selected by temperature range and system design |
| Water Circuit | Standard / stainless / corrosion-resistant | Selected by coolant type, water quality, and corrosion risk |
| Chemical / Corrosion Review | Optional / customized | Requires fluid compatibility, material, and secondary loop review |
| Explosion-Proof Requirement | Custom project review | Should be directed to custom chiller solutions |
Technical Specification Table
| Parameter | Typical Range / Options | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cooling Capacity | 5–20 HP platform / project-specific capacity direction | Final output depends on chilled-water and condenser-water conditions |
| Chiller Type | Medium industrial water-cooled process chiller | Configured according to application, duty level, and installation space |
| Cooling Medium | Water / glycol / DI water / reviewed process fluid loop | Fluid compatibility and corrosion risk should be reviewed first |
| Chilled-Water Temperature | Project-specific / by engineering review | Leaving and return temperature affect compressor and evaporator direction |
| Condenser Water Requirement | Cooling tower or plant water loop required | Condenser water temperature, flow, and quality are key inputs |
| Compressor | Configurable by duty and capacity direction | Selected by runtime, target temperature, and reliability strategy |
| Water-Cooled Condenser | Shell-and-tube direction | Cleaning access and water treatment are part of selection review |
| Evaporator | Plate / shell-and-tube / tank coil | Depends on process fluid, fouling risk, and maintenance need |
| Pump System | Standard / high-flow / high-pressure / external | Matched to pipe loss, flow target, and equipment resistance |
| Water Tank | Built-in / external / no tank | Selected by loop volume and temperature stability requirement |
| Control System | Digital / PLC / remote monitoring | Depends on plant integration and alarm logic requirement |
| Voltage | 380V / 3PH / 50Hz or project-specific | Adjusted to destination country and site power condition |
| Refrigerant | R410A / R407C / R134a / reviewed alternative | Chosen by system design and operating temperature range |
| Protection | Standard industrial protection or project-specific protection logic | May include flow, pressure, overload, phase, and alarm interlock review |
| Installation | Indoor equipment room / process utility area / reviewed layout | Pipe routing, maintenance access, and condenser side connection should be checked |
| Customization | Configurable / by engineering review | Do not treat this page as a fixed standard catalog machine |
Application Fit Matrix
| Application | Fit Level | Typical Requirement | Engineering Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injection Molding Cooling | High | Stable mold cooling and hydraulic loop support | Machine tonnage, flow rate, cycle load, and return temperature |
| Laser Equipment Cooling | High | Stable process water for laser source, optics, and precision temperature control | Temperature accuracy, water quality, alarm interlock, and flow protection |
| Electroplating Bath Cooling | Conditional | Bath temperature control and production stability | Corrosion risk, secondary heat exchanger need, material review, pump material |
| CNC Machine Tool Cooling | High | Cooling for spindle, oil, process loop, or machine tool utility water | Load fluctuation, flow demand, and installation space |
| Hydraulic System Cooling | High | Oil temperature stabilization for presses and industrial equipment | Oil-side heat exchanger direction, flow control, and target oil temperature |
| Laboratory / Testing Equipment Cooling | High | Compact process cooling with stable utility water connection | Precision level, footprint, water quality, and control logic |
| Factory Equipment Process Cooling | High | Single-machine or local process utility cooling | Equipment resistance, loop volume, and pump configuration |
| Small Process Tank Cooling | High | Tank cooling with built-in or external reservoir review | Tank volume, fluid compatibility, and response time |
| Thermal Spray Auxiliary Cooling | Conditional | Auxiliary process loop support for smaller spray subsystems | Flow stability, heat spikes, and whether the application exceeds medium-duty range |
Suitable vs Not Suitable Conditions
Suitable For
- Medium process cooling
- Factory equipment with cooling tower water
- Injection molding machine cooling
- Laser equipment cooling
- Electroplating bath cooling
- CNC machine cooling
- Hydraulic system cooling
- Built-in pump and tank configuration
- Indoor equipment room installation
- Small process tanks and single-machine cooling
Not Recommended For
- Sites without cooling tower or condenser water
- Very small point-of-use loads better served by compact chillers
- Large continuous industrial systems above 20 HP
- Poor condenser water quality without treatment
- Corrosive fluids without material review
- Explosion-proof areas without custom safety design
- Outdoor quick installation where air-cooled may be easier
Water-Cooled vs Air-Cooled Chiller Selection for 5–20 HP Projects
| Decision Factor | Water-Cooled 5–20 HP | Air-Cooled 5–20 HP |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Rejection | Handled through cooling tower or plant condenser water loop | Handled by ambient air through condenser fans |
| Installation | Suitable for indoor utility layouts with available condenser-water infrastructure | Easier for quick standalone or simpler outdoor installations |
| Cooling Tower Requirement | Required | Not required |
| Footprint / Heat Discharge | Compact heat discharge within plant water infrastructure | Requires condenser airflow and ambient heat rejection space |
| Maintenance | Requires condenser-water treatment and periodic cleaning review | Requires condenser coil and fan-side maintenance review |
| Best For | Factory equipment and medium-duty process cooling with water infrastructure | Standalone applications without condenser-water loop |
| Limitation | Not suitable when condenser water conditions are unavailable or unstable | May be less favorable for indoor plant utility layouts with continuous duty |
Project-Specific Engineering Options
Custom Voltage
Match export destination and site power supply.
Compressor Configuration
Review single or multi-compressor arrangement by duty profile.
Shell-and-Tube Condenser
Matched by condenser water temperature, flow, and cleaning requirement.
Evaporator Selection
Choose plate, shell-and-tube, or tank-coil direction by fluid and maintenance need.
Built-In or External Tank
Configured for loop volume, stability target, and piping layout.
Pump Flow and Pressure
Selected by pipe length, resistance, and process-side requirement.
Stainless / Corrosion-Resistant Circuit
Recommended when coolant compatibility or corrosion risk needs extra review.
PLC / Remote Alarm
Adjust control logic to equipment interlock and plant monitoring requirements.
Secondary Heat Exchanger Review
Useful when direct process fluid contact is not suitable.
Custom Safety / Explosion-Proof Review
Special environments should be handled as custom engineering projects.
Quote Information Checklist
What APT Needs to Review
Sharing complete process and condenser-water information helps APT recommend the right 5 HP, 10 HP, 15 HP, or 20 HP water-cooled configuration faster and more accurately.
- Application or machine type
- Required cooling capacity or process heat load
- Chilled-water inlet and outlet temperature
- Chilled-water flow rate and pump pressure
- Coolant type: water, glycol, DI water, or special fluid
- Condenser water inlet and outlet temperature
- Cooling tower or plant water loop conditions
- Condenser water flow rate
- Condenser water quality and filtration
- Voltage / phase / frequency
- Installation space and piping layout
- Tank requirement
- Control accuracy and alarm requirement
- Material requirement: stainless, anti-corrosion, special fluid
- Safety requirement: explosion-proof or chemical area
- Destination country
- Photos, drawings, existing chiller data
Related Water-Cooled Product Pages
Water-Cooled Chillers
Review the main water-cooled category before choosing a specific size direction.
View Category → Small RangeSmall Water-Cooled Process Chillers
Compact indoor process cooling with available condenser water.
View Small Range → Industrial Range20–50 HP Industrial Water-Cooled Chillers
Review the next higher water-cooled capacity range for heavier heat loads.
View 20–50 HP → Large SystemsLarge Water-Cooled Chiller Systems
Higher-capacity or centralized plant cooling directions.
View Large Systems → CustomCustom Chiller Solutions
Review custom design options for materials, safety, controls, and process fluid compatibility.
Review Custom Options →Related Air-Cooled Comparison Pages
Air-Cooled Chillers
Compare standalone air-cooled options when condenser-water infrastructure is unavailable.
View Air-Cooled Category → Same Size Comparison5–20 HP Industrial Air-Cooled Chillers
Compare same-size air-cooled product direction for simpler installation projects.
Compare 5–20 HP → Larger Air-Cooled20–50 HP Large Air-Cooled Chillers
Review the next larger air-cooled range for heavier standalone duty.
View 20–50 HP →Related Application Pages
Injection Molding Cooling
Review process cooling direction for mold temperature control and hydraulic loop stability.
View Application → ApplicationLaser Cooling
See process cooling direction for laser source, optics, and precision water loops.
View Application → ApplicationElectroplating Cooling
Review plating bath cooling and corrosion-sensitive engineering points.
View Application → ApplicationCNC Machine Tool Cooling
Explore equipment cooling direction for spindle, oil, and machine utility loops.
View Application → ApplicationChemical Process Cooling
Review reactor, condenser, and process-loop cooling with fluid compatibility considerations.
View Application → SupportParts & Heat Exchangers
See heat exchanger and component directions that support water-cooled chiller configuration.
View Support Page →Related Resource Pages
Chiller Selection Guides
Selection logic, comparison notes, and engineering buying guidance.
Open Guides → Resource CenterIndustrial Chiller Resources
Broader support content for industrial cooling systems and planning.
Open Resources → DownloadsDownloads
Brochures, documents, and downloadable support materials.
Open Downloads → ToolChiller Selection Tool
Start a structured preliminary selection workflow before engineering review.
Use Tool →5–20 HP Water-Cooled Chiller FAQ
What is a 5–20 HP medium water-cooled chiller used for?
It is used for medium-duty process cooling applications such as injection molding, laser equipment, electroplating, CNC machines, hydraulic systems, laboratory equipment, small process tanks, and factory equipment where condenser water or cooling tower water is available.
Is the 5–20 HP water-cooled chiller a fixed standard model?
No. APT treats this range as a configurable medium water-cooled chiller platform. Compressor type, condenser, evaporator, pump, tank, voltage, refrigerant, controls, and water circuit materials can be selected according to actual project requirements.
Does a 5–20 HP water-cooled chiller need a cooling tower?
Most water-cooled chillers require a cooling tower, condenser water loop, or plant cooling water system. Condenser water temperature, flow rate, water quality, and cooling tower capacity should be confirmed before selection.
How do I choose between 5 HP, 10 HP, 15 HP, and 20 HP?
Selection depends on process heat load, chilled-water temperature, condenser water temperature, flow rate, pump pressure, cooling tower capacity, operating schedule, and required cooling margin.
Can this chiller include a pump and water tank?
Yes. APT can review built-in tank, external tank, no-tank layout, standard pump, high-flow pump, high-pressure pump, bypass, filter, and external pump configurations according to system layout.
What condenser is used in a water-cooled chiller?
Water-cooled chillers commonly use shell-and-tube water-cooled condensers. Final condenser configuration depends on condenser water temperature, water quality, flow rate, cleaning requirement, and project design.
Is this range suitable for injection molding or laser cooling?
Yes. 5–20 HP water-cooled chillers are often reviewed for injection molding machines, laser equipment, CNC machines, and medium factory equipment when condenser water infrastructure is available.
Can this chiller be used for electroplating or chemical cooling?
Yes, but electroplating and chemical cooling require review of fluid compatibility, corrosion risk, heat exchanger material, secondary loop design, pump material, and safety requirements.
When should I choose an air-cooled chiller instead?
An air-cooled chiller may be easier when the site has no cooling tower or condenser water loop, needs quick installation, or prefers a standalone outdoor package. A water-cooled chiller is more suitable when condenser water infrastructure exists.
What information is needed for a quotation?
Please provide application, process heat load, chilled-water inlet and outlet temperature, flow rate, pump pressure, coolant type, condenser water temperature, cooling tower conditions, water quality, voltage, installation space, material requirements, and any safety or control requirements.
Need a 5–20 HP Water-Cooled Chiller Configuration?
Share your application, process heat load, chilled-water temperature, condenser water temperature, cooling tower conditions, flow rate, pump pressure, coolant type, voltage, water quality, material requirements, installation layout, and control requirements. APT engineers can configure a suitable 5 HP, 10 HP, 15 HP, or 20 HP medium water-cooled chiller for your process cooling project.