What are the different types of chillers? Chillers are classified according to compressor type. Electric chillers for commercial comfort cooling have centrifugal, screw, scroll, or reciprocating compressors. Centrifugal and screw chillers have one or two compressors. Scroll and reciprocating chillers are built with multiple, smaller compressors. Centrifugal chillers are the quiet, efficient, and reliable workhorses of comfort cooling. Although centrifugal chillers are available as small as 70 tons, most are 300 tons or larger. Screw chillers are up to 40% smaller and lighter than centrifugal chillers, so are becoming popular as replacement chillers. Scroll compressors are rotary positive-displacement machines, also fairly new to the comfort cooling market. These small compressors are efficient, quiet, and reliable. Scroll compressors are made in sizes of 1.5 to 15 tons. The energy efficiency of cooling and heating systems in terms of Coefficient of Performance (COP), Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and Integrated Part-Load Value as specified by the Code are presented in Box 5-H
Equipment Class
Air Cooled Chiller <530 kW (<150 tons) Air Cooled Chiller 530 kW (150 tons) *Centrifugal Water Cooled Chiller < 530 kW (<150 tons) *Centrifugal Water Cooled Chiller 530 and <1050 kW (150 and <300 tons) *Centrifugal Water Cooled Chiller 1050 kW ( 300 tons) Reciprocating Compressor, Water Cooled Chiller all sizes Rotary Screw and Scroll Compressor, Water Cooled Chiller <530 kW (<150 tons)
Test Standard
ARI 550/590-1998 ARI 550/590-1998 ARI 550/590-1998 ARI 550/590-1998 ARI 550/590-1998 ARI 550/590-1998 ARI 550/590-1998
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Rotary Screw and Scroll Compressor, Water 5.40 Cooled Chiller 530 and <1050 kW (150 and <300 tons) Rotary Screw and Scroll Compressor, Water 5.75 Cooled Chiller 1050 kW ( 300 tons) *These are aspirational values. For mandatory values refer to ASHRAE 90.1-2004
6.17
ARI 550/590-1998
6.43
ARI 550/590-1998
As per the Code: Unitary Air Conditioner shall meet IS 1391- Part 1 (Table 5.3), split air conditioner shall meet IS 1391 - Part 2 (Table 5.4), packaged air conditioner shall meet IS 8148 (Table 5.5) and boilers shall meet IS 13980 (the standard specifies the procedure with above 75% thermal efficiency.
Table 5.3: Power Consumption Ratings for Unitary Air Conditioners Under Test Conditions Table 5.4: Power Consumption Ratings for Split Air Conditioners Under Test Conditions
kW
1.7 2.6 3.5 4.4 5.2 7.0 8.7 10.5
kW
3.5 5.2 7.0 8.7 10.5
Source: Code No.: IS 1391 (Part-1): 1992 (amendment No. 2 Dec.2006 ) Cooling Capacity
Watts
10,000 17,500 26,250 35,000 52,000
Source: Code No.: IS 1319 (Part-2): 1992 (amendment No. 2 Dec.2006) Maximum Power Consumption in Watts
Water Cooled
3,750 6,000 9,000 11,500 17,000
Table 5.5: Power Consumption Rating for Packaged air Conditioners-under test conditions Tons of Refrigeration
3 5 7.5 10 15
Air Cooled
4,750 7,000 10,000 13,500 20,000
Source: Code No.: IS 8148: 2003 Selection of individual equipment efficiency should be considered in the context of the whole HVAC system. In a chilled-water system, for example, although the chiller is at the core of the system and typically is the single largest energy user, simply selecting a high-efficiency chiller does not guarantee high performance. Auxiliary equipment (such as fans and blowers) and design decisions (such as approach temperatures) can have substantial effects on overall efficiency. Thus, attention to overall system design and auxiliary components is critical to achieving optimal performance and comfort. Even in packaged air-conditioning systems, leaky ductwork, improper sizing, refrigerant charge, and air flow rates can considerably affect energy performance.
5.2.3 Controls
Controls are one of the most critical elements for improving efficiency of any HVAC system. Controls determine how HVAC systems should operate to meet the design goals of comfort, efficiency, and cost-effective operation. In this context, the Code specifies the use of time clocks, temperature controls/thermostats, and two-speed or variable speed drives for fans.
Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) User Guide 42