What is the primary source of cooling in a chilled water system?

In a chilled water system, the primary source of cooling is a mechanical refrigeration system. This system utilizes a refrigeration cycle that typically includes a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator to extract heat from the water. The mechanical refrigeration system efficiently lowers the temperature of the water, allowing it to circulate through various components of a building to provide cooling.

The chilled water absorbs heat from the air in the space it serves, effectively reducing the temperature of the air. This is crucial in climate-controlled environments, where maintaining specific temperature ranges is essential for comfort, operation, or preservation.

While ice block systems, ambient air cooling, and natural water bodies can contribute to cooling in certain applications, they do not serve as the primary mechanism in a conventional chilled water system setting, which relies heavily on the focused and controlled process provided by mechanical refrigeration.