Electric chiller buyer`s guide: Water-cooled centrifugal and screw chillers

Book · Thu Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995

OSTI ID:55529

Fryer, L

The phase-out of CFCs at the end of 1995 is driving increasing numbers of building owners to convert or replace their chillers with equipment that uses non-CFC refrigerants. Because chillers last for decades, the efficiency of the replacement equipment will have a lasting effect on the energy use, operating cost, and environmental impact of the over 25 percent of commercial floor space that is cooled by chillers, as well as the need for utility capacity. Each chiller is custom built, and many efficiency options are available. The lowest life cycle costs will be obtained by optimizing the cooling plant (including the cooling tower and chilled water distribution system) to match the year-round load profile of the building, not just its peak load. Careful sizing of replacement chillers can correct the oversizing that is so common, thereby reducing capital and operating costs. Significant savings may also be obtained by designing for the local climate, rather than basing chiller selection on the standard conditions assumed in most analyses. This report covers the models and features available in electric water-cooled centrifugal and screw chillers of 150 to 1,200 tons. In addition to full- and part-load efficiencies, it includes information on sizing, refrigerants, heat exchangers, adjustable-frequency drives, trade-offs between chiller efficiency and pumping power, staging of multiple chillers, maintenance, chiller testing, and utility program opportunities.

• OSTI ID: 55529
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
AIR CONDITIONERS
AIR CONDITIONING
CHLOROFLUOROCARBONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COOLING SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
LIFE-CYCLE COST
MATERIAL SUBSTITUTION
SPECIFICATIONS