What is the primary function of a chiller?

The primary function of a chiller is to cool a circulating stream of water, which is essential in various applications including air conditioning and industrial processes. Chillers work by removing heat from the water and transferring that heat elsewhere, effectively lowering the temperature of the liquid.

This process typically involves a refrigerant that absorbs heat as it evaporates and then releases that heat as it condenses back into a liquid. By continuously cycling the refrigerant and water, chillers maintain a lower temperature in the water, ensuring efficient heat exchange in HVAC systems or cooling processes for equipment such as chillers used in manufacturing.

In contrast, the other functions listed do not align with the primary goals of a chiller; evaporating water, generating steam, and filtering air describe processes managed by other types of equipment like boilers or air purifiers. Thus, focusing on the cooling capacity underlines the essential role of chillers in maintaining temperature control in various systems.