Absorption Chillers
Industry-leading vapour absorption cooling technology powered by waste heat. Natural refrigerant (water), exceptional efficiency, proven reliability across 90+ countries worldwide.
Transform Waste Heat Into Valuable Cooling
Thermax is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of vapour absorption chillers. Our absorption cooling technology is extensively used worldwide for industrial refrigeration, air conditioning, process cooling and heating applications.
We offer an extensive range of chillers that run on waste heat from steam, hot water, exhaust gases, and other fuel sources. True to our commitment to sustainability, our technology uses natural green refrigerant — water — completely avoiding harmful refrigerants like CFCs and HFCs.
Thermax innovative and energy-efficient heat recovery-based cooling solutions help customers reduce dependency on grid power, lower operating costs, and achieve environmental compliance across industrial and commercial sectors globally.
Complete Absorption Chiller Range
From single-effect hot water machines to advanced double-effect steam systems — Thermax delivers the right absorption chiller for every application, heat source, and capacity requirement.
Single Effect Steam Chiller
Low-pressure steam or hot water driven
The most established absorption technology worldwide — ideal for utilizing low-grade waste heat from industrial processes, CHP plants, solar thermal systems, or biomass boilers. Proven reliability with minimal electrical consumption. Thermax offers steam driven machines from 0.1 kg/cm² to 26 kg/cm² saturated steam pressure.
Key Specifications
- Capacity range: 50 TR to 3,500 TR (175kW – 12,300kW)
- Heat source: 80°C to 120°C steam or hot water
- COP: 0.7 to 0.8
- Unique sub-zero capability: Chilled water down to −5°C
- Natural refrigerant: Water (GWP = 0)
- Ideal for waste heat recovery from low-pressure steam systems
- Perfect for solar thermal cooling applications
- Applications: Process cooling, air conditioning, food processing, pharmaceuticals
- Excellent part-load performance characteristics
Double Effect Steam Chiller
Medium to high-pressure steam fired
Advanced series flow technology delivers superior efficiency and negligible corrosion rates. Thermax double effect chillers are designed so the highest concentration and temperature of lithium bromide solution never occur simultaneously — ensuring exceptional reliability and long service life. Industry-leading solution for high-performance industrial cooling.
Key Specifications
- Capacity range: 100 TR to 2,030 TR (350kW – 7,100kW)
- Heat source: 150°C to 180°C steam (4-10 bar pressure)
- COP: 1.2 to 1.4 (30% better than single effect)
- Technology: Patented advanced series flow prevents crystallization
- Natural refrigerant: Water (GWP = 0)
- Negligible corrosion rates compared to parallel flow designs
- Ideal for large HVAC systems and district cooling
- Applications: Industrial process cooling, petrochemical plants, commercial complexes
- Extremely stable operation with minimal operator intervention
Direct Fired Chiller
Natural gas or fuel oil combustion
Double-effect performance using direct fuel combustion — ideal for sites without access to steam infrastructure or where natural gas/fuel costs are favorable. Integrated burner technology with low NOx emissions. Provides operational independence and flexibility for remote locations or facilities seeking to reduce electrical grid dependency.
Key Specifications
- Capacity range: 100 TR to 1,500 TR
- Fuel options: Natural gas, LPG, diesel, fuel oil
- COP: 1.2 to 1.35 (based on fuel LHV)
- Emissions: Low NOx burner technology
- Natural refrigerant: Water (GWP = 0)
- No steam infrastructure required — complete standalone system
- Perfect for remote sites or locations without reliable steam supply
- Applications: District cooling, industrial parks, commercial buildings
- Multi-fuel capability provides operational flexibility
Hot Water Driven Chiller
Low temperature waste heat recovery
Specifically optimized for low-grade waste heat recovery from hot water sources. Operates effectively on solar thermal systems, engine jacket water, industrial cooling circuits, or geothermal energy. Maximum waste heat utilization for sustainable cooling with minimal temperature requirement — ideal for renewable energy integration.
Key Specifications
- Capacity range: 50 TR to 1,500 TR
- Heat source: 80°C to 120°C hot water
- COP: 0.7 to 0.8
- Minimum driving temp: As low as 80°C hot water
- Natural refrigerant: Water (GWP = 0)
- Ideal for solar thermal cooling installations
- Perfect for engine jacket water heat recovery
- Applications: Solar cooling, geothermal systems, industrial waste heat
- Enables cooling from renewable energy sources
Exhaust Gas Driven Chiller
CHP and cogeneration applications
Designed specifically for exhaust gas heat recovery from gas engines and turbines in cogeneration (CHP) plants. Ideal for trigeneration systems (combined cooling, heating, and power). Maximizes overall efficiency of CHP installations by converting waste exhaust heat into productive cooling — achieving total energy utilization exceeding 85%.
Key Specifications
- Capacity range: 200 TR to 1,200 TR (700kW – 4,200kW)
- Heat source: Exhaust gas 400°C to 600°C
- COP: 1.2 to 1.4 (double-effect performance)
- Multi-energy: Exhaust + supplementary steam/fuel firing
- Natural refrigerant: Water (GWP = 0)
- Perfect for cogeneration and trigeneration (CHCP) systems
- Dramatically reduces data centre PUE when paired with onsite CHP
- Applications: Industrial CHP plants, data centres, commercial trigeneration
- Operational flexibility with backup firing capability
Why Choose Absorption Cooling?
Absorption chillers offer compelling advantages over conventional electric compression chillers — making them the ideal choice for facilities with access to waste heat or combined heat and power systems.
Dramatic Energy Savings
Operate on waste heat instead of consuming grid electricity for compression. Reduce electrical demand for cooling by 90% or more — cutting energy costs and carbon emissions simultaneously.
Zero GWP Refrigerant
Water (H₂O) is the refrigerant — completely natural, non-toxic, non-flammable, and zero global warming potential. No F-gas regulations, no refrigerant phase-outs, no compliance concerns.
Maximize Waste Heat Value
Convert low-grade waste heat from steam, hot water, exhaust gases, or thermal oil into productive cooling. Achieve overall facility energy efficiencies of 80-90% when integrated with CHP systems.
Low Maintenance Operation
Far fewer moving parts than electric chillers. No compressor, no complex mechanical systems. Simple, robust design delivers reliable 24/7 operation with minimal service requirements over 20+ year lifespan.
Proven Global Track Record
Thermax absorption chillers operate successfully in more than 90 countries — from USA to Middle East to Southeast Asia. ISO 9001 certified, ASME/CE/TUV compliant, backed by decades of expertise.
Flexible Integration
Integrate seamlessly with cogeneration, trigeneration (CHCP), solar thermal, biomass boilers, and industrial waste heat recovery systems. Multi-energy capability provides operational redundancy.
Industries & Applications
Thermax absorption chillers serve more than 50 industries worldwide — from pharmaceuticals to data centres, refineries to hotels. Proven performance in the world’s most demanding cooling applications.
Chemical & Petrochemical
Process cooling, reactor cooling, distillation processes
Pharmaceuticals
Clean room cooling, process chilling, API manufacturing
Food & Beverage
Process cooling, cold storage, dairy processing, breweries
Hotels & Commercial
Air conditioning, district cooling, shopping complexes
Manufacturing
Textiles, automotive, steel, plastics, paper & pulp
Fertilizers & Agriculture
Inlet air cooling for gas turbines, ammonia plants
Data Centres
Server cooling with CHP exhaust gas, trigeneration
Institutional
Universities, hospitals, airports, government facilities
Advanced Technology & Features
Thermax absorption chillers incorporate decades of engineering innovation — delivering exceptional reliability, efficiency, and ease of operation that set the industry standard.
Advanced Series Flow Technology
Thermax proprietary series flow design ensures the highest concentration and highest temperature of lithium bromide solution never occur simultaneously. This breakthrough prevents crystallization and delivers negligible corrosion rates compared to parallel flow or reverse flow technologies.
- Prevents crystallization in operating conditions
- Extends machine lifespan to 20+ years
- Reduces maintenance requirements significantly
Intelligent Control Systems
PLC-based control panel with touchscreen HMI provides complete visibility and control. Real-time monitoring of all operating parameters, automatic setpoint adjustment, and predictive diagnostics ensure optimal performance with minimal operator intervention.
- Touch screen interface for easy operation
- Online concentration measurement and control
- Automated crystallization prevention
- Remote monitoring capabilities available
Optimized Heat Transfer
Plate-type solution heat exchangers maximize internal heat recovery — achieving higher COP and better part-load efficiency. Stainless steel construction ensures long life and reliability even in harsh operating conditions.
- Maximum internal heat recovery
- Excellent part-load performance
- Corrosion-resistant materials throughout
Variable Frequency Drives
VFD-equipped solution pumps automatically adjust flow rates based on cooling demand. Improves COP during part-load operation, reduces electrical consumption, extends pump life, and delivers exceptionally stable operation across varying load conditions.
- Enhanced part-load efficiency
- Reduced electrical consumption
- Stable operation at all load points
- Extended equipment lifespan
Multi-Energy Capability
Many Thermax models can operate on multiple heat sources simultaneously or switch between them. Run on exhaust gas with supplementary steam firing, or transition between hot water and direct fuel firing — providing operational flexibility and reliability.
- Multiple heat source options
- Automatic source switching capability
- Backup firing for redundancy
Global Standards Compliance
Thermax absorption chillers are manufactured to the highest international standards and hold certifications from leading global bodies. ISO 9001 quality management, ASME pressure vessel code, CE marking, TUV approval, and country-specific compliance.
- ISO 9001 certified manufacturing
- ASME / CE / TUV compliant
- ETL listed for North America
- DNV certification available
Find Your Ideal Absorption Cooling Solution
Our engineering team will analyze your facility’s heat sources, cooling loads, and operational requirements to design the optimal absorption chiller system — maximizing energy savings and return on investment.
Request Technical Consultation