Selecting chillers, chilled water systems

Selecting chillers, chilled water systems

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Water Air Chiller.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the variety of chiller options based on load requirements.
• Learn to calculate a simplified cost/ton estimate for estimating chiller initial investment costs.
• Know the appropriate calculations for determining chiller plant operational costs.

Chilled water systems are integral cooling solutions that circulate chilled water throughout a building to cool and dehumidify the building’s air. These systems come in various forms and configurations, operating as closed-loop systems where the chilled water is continually recirculated without exposure to atmospheric pressure. The selection of a chiller is generally based on the required cooling capacity; however, there are numerous considerations regarding how to control, operate, and calculate the operational costs of these systems.

To choose the right chiller, it's essential first to understand the available options. The overall capacity of a chiller is determined by the building’s block load, while the part load dictates the number and size of chillers required. Multiple chillers allow for staged operation in response to varying loads. Block loads consider factors like building diversity, exposure, internal and external loads, and schedules, noting that not all building sections will peak simultaneously. The specific function of a space, such as a data center or hospital, may also necessitate sizing for reliability and redundancy, often with backup chillers for N+1 or 2N redundancy. Additionally, the hourly building profile may require chillers of equal or varying sizes to match the operating schedule.