Abstract

There is a lack of detailed experimental and simulation studies on air-cooled centrifugal chillers. This paper investigates how to optimize the control of condenser fans within the chillers to maximize their coefficients of performance (COPs). A thermodynamic model for the chillers was developed and used to analyse the steady-state COP under various load and ambient conditions. An algorithm is introduced to compute the number of staged condenser fans based on settings of the condensing pressure and outdoor temperature. The model was validated using the experimental data and performance data of an existing chiller running under various operating conditions. It is found that the best strategy for switching condenser fans is to vary their rotating speed by the use of a set point of the condensing temperature, which is adjusted in response to the chiller load and condenser air-inlet temperature. The results of this paper provide an important insight into how to increase the COPs of air-cooled chillers.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.