A plate liquid chiller is a vapor-compression refrigeration system that cools circulating water or compatible coolant through a refrigerant-to-liquid plate heat exchanger. RIGID Plate-P chillers use miniature BLDC compressors and are available in 12V, 24V and 48V DC configurations.

A plate chiller uses a compact plate heat exchanger, while a coil chiller uses a tubular heat-transfer surface. Plate exchangers can offer high heat-transfer density, while coil designs may be preferable for certain fluids, flow conditions or service requirements. Selection depends on thermal load, coolant compatibility, pressure drop and mechanical constraints.

The listed DV19-series models have a published 130W LBP rating, while DV3220E-P is listed at 200W LBP and DV2820E-P at 250W LBP. Nominal compressor-class ratings are different and must not be treated as guaranteed cooling capacity at an unspecified coolant temperature.

Yes. Vapor-compression refrigeration can cool liquid below ambient temperature when properly designed for the required operating conditions. Condensation, insulation and coolant freeze protection must be considered.

The Plate-P is a compact refrigeration module with a liquid evaporator. The compressor driver is included, but pump, reservoir and complete temperature-control-system inclusion should be confirmed for the specific supplied configuration.

Yes. RIGID provides custom cooling solutions tailored to specific temperature ranges, capacities, and integration requirements.

Applications include electronics cooling, battery thermal management, microclimate cooling, medical & aesthetic devices, laser systems, firefighter suits, and racing vehicles.

Yes. RIGID offers 12V, 24V and 48V DC configurations. Battery runtime depends on total system input, including the compressor, controller, condenser fan, coolant pump and other auxiliary components.

Yes, RIGID lists an R290-specific DV2820E-P configuration. R290 is an A3 flammable refrigerant, so its use requires an appropriately designed and approved system. Refrigerant compatibility must be confirmed for each model rather than assumed across the entire range.

It operates reliably in a temperature range of ±20°C (-4°F to 68°F).

The system delivers a Coefficient of Performance (COP) >3.0 W/W, providing energy-efficient cooling in compact form.

Yes. The 12V/24V/48V DC supply makes it perfect for mobile, solar-powered, and remote cooling solutions.

Absolutely. It efficiently manages battery temperature, extending battery lifespan and ensuring optimal performance in electric vehicles.

Yes, provided the chiller delivers the required cooling capacity at the laser's specified coolant temperature and maximum ambient condition. Coolant flow, pressure drop, temperature stability and material compatibility must also be checked.

Yes. The compact and modular design allows easy integration into industrial and OEM equipment.

R134A refrigerant is used for standard units, with options for eco-friendly refrigerants like R290 for low environmental impact.

RIGID chillers are highly reliable, with a mean time between failures (MTBF) >90,000 hours, built to last in demanding environments.

Minimal maintenance is needed. Users should periodically check coolant levels, inspect connections, and ensure the system is clean and free from debris.

Yes. The circulatory cooling loop can be integrated with multiple components or systems, distributing chilled liquid efficiently.

Provide the required heat load in watts, coolant type, inlet and outlet temperatures, flow rate, maximum ambient temperature, available DC voltage and installation dimensions. These parameters allow RIGID to evaluate the appropriate standard model or customized cooling system.

Yes. RIGID can evaluate customization of compressor, voltage, refrigerant, plate evaporator, condenser, coolant connections, controller interface and mechanical dimensions.

Choose a plate liquid chiller when an OEM device requires compact, compressor-based cooling of circulating water or another compatible coolant. RIGID Plate-P chillers use a stainless-steel plate heat exchanger and 12V, 24V or 48V BLDC refrigeration technology for medical devices, lasers, electronics, battery systems and portable equipment. Select the model according to heat load, coolant temperature, ambient temperature, flow rate and available DC power.

When Is Compressor-Based Cooling More Suitable?

Thermoelectric and vapor-compression cooling can both provide active cooling below ambient temperature.

A miniature compressor-based liquid chiller is worth evaluating when the application requires continuous heat removal in the hundreds-of-watts range, particularly where electrical efficiency and battery runtime are important.

The correct comparison should use complete-system performance under equivalent operating conditions.

Compare:

• Required cooling capacity
• Target coolant temperature
• Ambient temperature
• Electrical input
• Coefficient of performance
• Package size
• Weight
• Noise
• Temperature-control requirements
• Maintenance requirements

Neither technology is universally superior for every cooling application.

12V Plate Liquid Chiller

• Suitable for portable medical devices, battery-powered instruments, vehicle equipment and personal cooling systems.

24V Plate Liquid Chiller

• Suitable for industrial instruments, lasers, robotics, medical equipment and OEM electronics.

48V Plate Liquid Chiller

• Suitable for telecom, battery-powered platforms, industrial electronics and mobile systems.

Select the supply voltage according to the host equipment's existing DC architecture, then verify current, startup requirements and total system electrical consumption.

For battery-powered applications, include the compressor, controller, condenser fan, coolant pump and auxiliary components when calculating runtime.

The cooling capacity of a miniature refrigeration system changes with evaporating and condensing temperatures.

The same compressor may provide different cooling capacities when operating at different coolant temperatures, ambient temperatures and compressor speeds.

For example, the DV19-series is presented with a nominal 450W compressor class but a published 130W LBP rating.

These values should not be treated as contradictory if they correspond to different test conditions. However, both rating conditions should be documented.

Key Performance Parameters:

• Required heat removal in watts
• Coolant inlet temperature
• Required outlet temperature
• Maximum ambient temperature
• Coolant flow rate
• Compressor speed
• Refrigerant
• Heat-exchanger performance

Cooling Below Ambient Temperature

A plate liquid chiller can cool liquid below ambient temperature when the refrigeration system is designed for the required operating point.

Below-ambient applications must also consider condensation, insulation, coolant freezing point and evaporator protection.

Plate Heat Exchanger vs. Coil Evaporator

RIGID offers different evaporator architectures because fluid chemistry, pressure drop, installation space and thermal performance requirements vary between applications.

Evaporator Type Main Characteristic Typical Selection Reason

Stainless-Steel Plate Compact, high heat-transfer surface density Limited space and efficient refrigerant-to-liquid heat exchange

Stainless-Steel Coil Tubular stainless-steel coolant path Fluid compatibility or corrosion-resistance requirements

Copper Coil Compact copper heat-transfer path Copper-compatible coolant and lightweight construction

Stainless-Steel Coaxial Tube-in-tube refrigerant-to-liquid exchanger Specific flow, pressure or mechanical requirements

Choose a Plate Liquid Chiller When:

• Compact heat-exchanger packaging is important
• The coolant is compatible with the plate exchanger
• The application uses a circulating liquid loop
• A plate exchanger provides acceptable pressure drop
• The system requires active refrigeration rather than passive cooling

Consider Another Evaporator When:

• Coolant chemistry requires a different material
• Particulates or fouling may obstruct narrow plate channels
• Pressure drop is a major limitation
• Cleaning and service requirements favor another geometry
• The OEM mechanical layout requires a different heat exchanger

The correct architecture should be selected using coolant compatibility, heat load, operating temperature, flow rate, pressure drop and installation dimensions.