Which type of compressor is typically NOT used in liquid chillers?

The type of compressor that is typically not used in liquid chillers is the rotary compressor. Liquid chillers are designed to provide efficient cooling for various applications, and the types of compressors used in these systems are selected based on their performance characteristics and suitability for handling refrigerants in a chilled water system.

Centrifugal compressors are preferred in large commercial cooling applications due to their efficiency at high flow rates and their ability to provide continuous cooling. Scroll compressors are commonly found in smaller chillers because they are compact, quiet, and efficient at part-load conditions. Piston compressors, also known as reciprocating compressors, are used in some chillers for their ability to handle varying loads and pressures effectively.

In contrast, rotary compressors are more often employed in applications where space is limited and the cooling requirements are less demanding, such as in residential air conditioning systems and smaller refrigeration units. They generally do not reach the pressure and efficiency levels required for large-scale liquid chilling applications, which is why they are not typically utilized in that context.