PA RT

28
Chillers

H V A C E Q U AT I O N S , D ATA , A N D R U L E S O F T H U M B
488 PA RT 2 8

28.01 Chiller Types and Manufacturer Offerings

Capacity kW/ton COP Turndown %

Chiller Type Refrigerant Comments
Range tons Range (1) Range (1) Capacity
Centrifugal—Water Cooled
Carrier 200–1500 0.55–0.62 5.66–6.39 10 134a 3
125–1250 0.50–0.60 5.85–7.02 10 134a 3
McQuay 250–2400 0.50–0.60 5.85–7.02 10 134a 4
1200–2700 0.50–0.60 5.85–7.02 10 134a 5
200–2000 0.45–0.55 6.39–7.80 10 123 3
Trane
1500–4000 0.45–0.55 6.39–7.80 10 123 4
200–2400 0.50–0.60 5.85–7.02 10 134a 3
York
2000–6000 0.50–0.60 5.85–7.02 10 134a 4
Centrifugal—Water Cooled with Unit Mounted VFD
Carrier 200–800 0.55–0.62 5.66–6.39 10 134a 3
125–1250 0.50–0.60 5.85–7.02 10 134a 3
McQuay
250–2400 0.50–0.60 5.85–7.02 10 134a 4
Trane 200–1500 0.45–0.55 6.39–7.80 10 123 3
York 200–1475 0.50–0.60 5.85–7.02 10 134a 3
Reciprocating—Air Cooled
Carrier NA NA NA NA NA
McQuay NA NA NA NA NA
Trane NA NA NA NA NA
York NA NA NA NA NA
Reciprocating—Water Cooled
Carrier 15–60 0.81–0.99 3.59–4.32 20–50 22
McQuay NA NA NA NA NA
Trane NA NA NA NA NA
York NA NA NA NA NA
Rotary Screw—Air Cooled
Carrier 75–455 1.13–1.25 2.80–3.10 6–15 134a
McQuay 110–500 1.15–1.25 2.80–3.05 15 134a
140–500 1.05–1.16 3.03–3.34 15 134a
Trane
70–125 1.05–1.13 3.11–3.34 20 22 2
York 150–500 1.15–1.20 2.93–3.05 15 134a
Rotary Screw—Water Cooled
300–500 0.55–0.62 5.66–6.39 10 134a 6
Carrier
75–265 0.69–0.72 4.88–5.09 13–20 134a
McQuay 120–190 0.54–0.70 4.93–6.50 15 134a
140–450 0.58–0.70 5.02–6.05 15 134a
Trane
70–125 0.74–0.76 4.62–4.75 20 22 2
York 90–400 0.60–0.75 4.68–5.85 15 22, 407c, 134a
Scroll—Air Cooled
60–390 0.84–0.91 3.87–4.16 10–20 410c
Carrier
10–55 1.19–1.25 2.80–2.96 15–30 22
McQuay 10–130 1.20–1.25 2.80–2.93 15–30 22, 407c
Trane 10–60 1.05–1.20 2.93–3.34 25, 50 22 2
York 15–130 1.00–1.15 3.05–3.51 20 22, 407c
Scroll—Water Cooled
Carrier NA NA NA NA NA
McQuay 30–120 0.77–0.78 4.50–4.55 25 22
Trane 20–60 0.77–0.78 4.50–4.56 25, 50 22 2
York NA NA NA NA NA
Chillers 489
Notes:
1 KW/ton and COPs are based on full load operating characteristics and are “ball park” figures. KW/ton and
COPs above and below the values listed in the table are possible for all manufacturers depending on desired
operating characteristics. KW/ton, COP, and capacities are driven by, and will vary from, the values listed in the
table based on chilled water supply/return temperatures, condenser water supply/return temperatures (water-
cooled machines), outside air temperatures (air-cooled machines), and type of refrigerant.
2 The Refrigerant HCFC-22 product will be changing to 134a by the end of 2007.
3 Centrifugal chillers with single compressor.
4 Centrifugal chillers with dual compressors.
5 Centrifugal chillers with dual compressors and dual refrigerant circuits.
6 Variable speed drive screw chiller.
7 COP, EER, and kW/ton relationships:
EER = COP  3.417
COP = 12,000 / (kW/ton  3,417)
kW/ton = 12,000 / (COP  3,417)

28.02 Chiller Motor Types

A. Hermetic Chillers/Motors
1. Motors are refrigerant cooled.
2. Motor heat absorbed by the refrigerant must be removed by the condenser cooling
medium (air or water).
3. TONSCOND  TONSEVAP  1.25
 12,000 Btu/hr. ton  1.25  15,000 Btu/hr. ton.
Therefore, motor heat gain is approximately 3,000 Btu/hr. ton.
B. Open Chillers/Motors
1. Motors are air cooled.
2. Motor heat is rejected directly to the space. Therefore, the space HVAC system must
remove approximately 3,000 Btu/hr. ton of motor heat gain.

C. In either case, the chillers must remove the 3,000 Btu/hr. ton of heat generated by
the motors; the only difference is the method by which it is accomplished.

28.03 Code Required Chiller Efficiencies

2003 IECC ASHRAE Std. 90.1-2001

Equipment Capacity 2006 IECC ASHRAE Std. 90.1-2004
Equipment Type
Size Range
COP kW/TON COP kW/TON
Air-Cooled Chillers with < 150 tons 2.80 1.254 2.80 1.254
Condenser—Electric q 150 tons 2.50 1.405 2.80 1.254
Air-Cooled Chillers without
All Capacities 3.10 1.133 3.10 1.133
Condenser—Electric
Water-Cooled Reciprocating
All Capacities 4.20 0.836 4.20 0.836
Chillers—Electric
< 150 tons 4.45 0.789 4.45 0.789
Water-Cooled Rotary Screw
q 150 tons and < 300 tons 4.90 0.717 4.90 0.717
and Scroll Chillers—Electric
q 300 tons 5.50 0.639 5.50 0.639
< 150 tons 5.00 0.702 5.00 0.702
Water-Cooled Centrifugal
q 150 tons and < 300 tons 5.55 0.633 5.55 0.633
Chillers—Electric
q 300 tons 6.10 0.576 6.10 0.576
Air-Cooled Absorption
All Capacities 0.60 5.853 0.60 5.853
Chillers—Single Effect
Water Cooled Absorption
All Capacities 0.70 5.017 0.70 5.017
Chillers—Single Effect
Absorption Chillers—
All Capacities 1.00 3.512 1.00 3.512
Double Effect, Indirect Fired
Absorption Chillers—
All Capacities 1.00 3.512 1.00 3.512
Double Effect, Direct Fired
490 PA RT 2 8

Notes:
1 Efficiency values apply to chillers with water temperatures above 40F.
2 1 ton  3,417 kW.
3 For centrifugal chillers operating at temperatures other than 44F chilled water, 85F condenser water, and 3.0
GPM/ton condenser water flow rate, see the following table.

CENTRIFUGAL CHILLERS
2003 IECC and 2006 IECC
ASHRAE Std. 90.1- 2001 and ASHRAE Std. 90.1 - 2004
Leaving Entering Less than 150 tons 150 tons to 300 tons Greater than 300 tons
Chilled Condenser 2 GPM/ton 3 GPM/ton 2 GPM/ton 3 GPM/ton 2 GPM/ton 3 GPM/ton
Water Water 15ºF $T 10ºF $T 15ºF $T 10ºF $T 15ºF $T 10ºF $T
Temp. ºF Temp. ºF COP kW/ton COP kW/ton COP kW/ton COP kW/ton COP kW/ton COP kW/ton
48 85 4.94 0.691 5.32 0.641 5.46 0.625 5.89 0.579 6.02 0.567 6.49 0.526
47 85 4.84 0.705 5.25 0.650 5.35 0.638 5.80 0.588 5.90 0.578 6.40 0.533
5.09 0.670 5.56 0.614
46 85 5.23 0.652 5.71 0.598 5.77 0.591 6.30 0.542
4.73 0.721 5.17 0.660
4.96 0.688 5.47 0.624
45 85 5.10 0.669 5.62 0.607 5.63 0.606 6.20 0.550
4.62 0.739 5.09 0.670
4.83 0.706 5.40 0.632
44 85 4.96 0.688 5.55 0.615 5.47 0.624 6.10 0.559
4.49 0.760 5.00 0.682
4.68 0.729 5.28 0.646
43 85 4.81 0.709 5.42 0.630 5.30 0.643 5.98 0.571
4.35 0.784 4.91 0.695
4.51 0.757 5.17 0.660
42 85 4.63 0.737 5.31 0.643 5.11 0.668 5.86 0.582
4.19 0.814 4.81 0.709
4.33 0.788 5.05 0.676
41 85 4.45 0.767 5.19 0.657 4.90 0.696 5.72 0.597
4.02 0.849 4.70 0.726
4.13 0.826 4.92 0.693
40 85 4.24 0.805 5.06 0.674 4.68 0.729 5.58 0.611
3.84 0.889 4.58 0.745

Notes:
1 Where two values are provided, the top number is for the 2003 IECC and 2006 IECC, the bottom is for ASHRAE
Std. 90.1-2001 and ASHRAE Std. 90.1-2004.
2 Chilled-water temperatures are only provided in ASHRAE Std. 90.1-2001 and ASHRAE Std. 90.1-2004.
3 The number in bold are standard rating conditions listed in the previous table.
4 For conditions other than those listed in the preceding table, see 2003 IECC, 2006 IECC, ASHRAE Std. 90.1-
2001, ASHRAE Std. 90.1-2004, or use the following equations.
Lift  Entering Condenser Water Temperature (F) – Leaving Chilled Water Temperature (F).
Condenser $T  Leaving Condenser Water Temperature (F) – Entering Condenser Water Temperature (F).
X  Condenser $T  Lift.
Kajd  6.1507  0.30244(X)  0.0062692(x)2 – 0.000045595(x)3.
COPadj  Kadj  COPstd

28.04 Chiller Terms

A. Refrigeration Effect. The refrigeration effect is the amount of heat absorbed by

the refrigerant in the evaporator.

B. Heat of Rejection. The heat of rejection is the amount of heat rejected by the
refrigerant in the condenser, which includes compressor heat.

C. Subcooling. Subcooling is the cooling of the refrigerant below the temperature at

which it condenses. Subcooling the liquid refrigerant will increase the refrigera-
tion effect of the system.

D. Superheating. Superheating is the heating of the refrigerant above the tempera-

ture at which it evaporates. Superheating the refrigerant by the evaporator is part
of the system design to prevent a slug of liquid refrigerant from entering the com-
pressor and causing damage.
Chillers 491

E. Coefficient of Performance (COP). The coefficient of performance is defined as

the refrigeration effect (Btu/hr.) divided by the work of the compressor (Btu/hr.).
Another way to define COP is Btu output divided by Btu input. COP is equal to
EER divided by 3.413.

F. Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER). The energy efficiency ratio is defined as the
refrigeration effect (Btu/hr.) divided by the work of the compressor (watts).
Another way to define EER is the Btu output divided by the watts input. The EER
is equal to 3.413 times the COP.

G. pH Chart. Pressure/Enthalpy chart is a graphic representation of the properties

of a specific refrigerant with the pressure on the vertical axis and the enthalpy on
the horizontal axis. The graph is used and is helpful in visualizing the changes
that occur in a refrigeration cycle.

H. Integrated Part Load Value (IPLV) ARI Specified Conditions. Acceptable

tolerances for specified conditions are 65 percent.

I. Application Part Load Value (APLV) Engineer Specified Conditions (Real World
Conditions). Acceptable tolerances for specified conditions are 6.5 percent.

J. Rupture Disc. A relief device on low-pressure machines.

K. Relief Valve. A relief device on high-pressure machines.

L. Pumpdown. Refrigerant pumped to the condenser for storage.

M. Pumpout. Refrigerant pumped to a separate storage vessel. Use pumpout type

storage when a reasonable size and number of portable storage containers can-
not be moved into the building.

N. Purge Unit. Removes air from the refrigeration machine; required on low-
pressure machines only.

O. Prevac. Device that prevents air from entering the refrigeration machine. It is used
to leak test the refrigeration machine. Required on low-pressure machines only.

P. Factory Run Tests. 1,500 tons and smaller; most manufacturers can provide them.
1. Certified Test. Certifies performance—full load and/or part load—IPLV, and/or APLV.
2. Witnessed Tests:
a. Generic. Any chiller the manufacturer produces of the same size and characteristics.
b. Specific. The specific chiller required by the customer.

Q. Hot Gas Bypass. Low limit to suction pressure of the compressor. Hot gas bypass
is beneficial on DX systems and generally not beneficial on chilled-water systems,
except when tight temperature tolerances are required for a manufacturing pro-
cess. Chillers specified with both hot gas bypass and low ambient temperature
control will result in the hot gas bypass increasing the low ambient temperature
operating point of the chiller (decreases the ability for the chiller to operate at low
ambient conditions).

28.05 Basic Refrigeration Cycle Terminology

A. Compressor. Mechanical device where the refrigerant is compressed from

a lower pressure and lower temperature to a higher pressure and higher
temperature.
492 PA RT 2 8

B. Hot Gas Piping. Refrigerant piping from the compressor discharge to the com-
pressor suction, to the evaporator outlet, or to the evaporator inlet, or from the
compressor discharge and the condenser outlet to the compressor suction.

C. Condenser. Heat exchanger where the system heat is rejected and the refrigerant
condenses into a liquid.

D. Liquid Piping. Refrigerant piping from the condenser outlet to the evaporator inlet.

E. Evaporator. Heat exchanger where the system heat is absorbed and the refriger-
ant evaporates into a gas.

F. Suction Piping. Refrigerant piping from the evaporator outlet to the compressor
suction inlet.

G. Thermal Expansion Valve. Pressure and temperature regulation valve, located

in the liquid line, which is responsive to the superheat of the vapor leaving the
evaporator coil.

28.06 Chiller Energy Saving Techniques

A. Constant Speed Chillers. For each 1F increase in chilled-water temperature, the
chiller efficiency increases 1.0–2.0 percent.

B. Variable Speed Chillers. For each 1F increase in chilled-water temperature, the
chiller efficiency increases 2.0–4.0 percent.

C. For each 1F decrease in condenser water temperature, the chiller efficiency
increases 1.0–2.0 percent.

28.07 Cooler (Evaporator) / Chilled-Water System

A. Leaving Water Temperature (LWT): 42–46F

B. 10–20F $T

C. 2.4 GPM/ton@10F $T

D. 2.0 GPM/ton@12F $T

E. 1.5 GPM/ton@16F $T

F. 1.2 GPM/ton@20F $T

G. 5,000 Btuh/GPM@10F $T

H. 6,000 Btuh/GPM@12F $T

I. 8,000 Btuh/GPM@16F $T

J. 10,000 Btuh/GPM@20F $T

K. ARI Evaporator Fouling Factor: 0.00010 Btu/hr.ft.2 F

L. Chilled Water Flow Range: Chiller Design Flow 10 percent

M. Chiller Tube Velocity for Variable Flow Chilled Water

1. Minimum flow: 3.0 FPS.
2. Maximum flow: 12.0 FPS.
Chillers 493

28.08 Condenser / Condenser Water Systems

A. Entering Water Temperature (EWT): 85F

B. $T Range: 10–20F

C. Normal $T: 10F

D. 3.0 GPM/ton@10F $T

E. 2.5 GPM/ton@12F $T

F. 2.0 GPM/ton@15F $T

G. 1.5 GPM/ton@20F $T

H. 5,000 Btuh/GPM@10F $T

I. 6,000 Btuh/GPM@12F $T

J. 7,500 Btuh/GPM@15F $T

K. 10,000 Btuh/GPM@20F $T

L. ARI Condenser Fouling Factor: 0.00025 Btu/hr. ft.2 F

28.09 Chilled Water Storage Systems

A. 10F $T
1. 19.3 cu.ft./ton hr.
2. 623.1 Btu/cu.ft.; 83.3 Btu/gal.

B. 12F $T
1. 16.1 cu.ft./ton hr.
2. 747.7 Btu/cu.ft.; 100.0 Btu/gal.

C. 16F $T
1. 12.4 cu.ft./ton hr.
2. 996.9 Btu/cu.ft.; 133.3 Btu/gal.

D. 20F $T
1. 9.6 cu.ft./ton hr.
2. 1246.2 Btu/cu.ft.; 166.7 Btu/gal.

28.10 Ice Storage Systems

A. 144 Btu/lb.@32F 0.48 Btu/lb. for each 1F below 32F.

B. 3.2 cu.ft./ton hr.

C. Only the latent heat capacity of ice should be used when designing ice storage
systems.
494 PA RT 2 8

28.11 Water-Cooled Condensers

A. Entering Water Temperature (EWT): 85F

B. Leaving Water Temperature (LWT): 95F

C. 3.0 GPM/ton@10F $T

D. For each 1F decrease in condenser water temperature, chiller efficiency

increases 1–1.2 percent.

28.12 Refrigerant Estimate—Split Systems

A. Total 3.0 lbs./ton

B. Equipment 2.0 lbs./ton

C. Piping 1.0 lbs./ton

28.13 Chilled Water System Makeup Connection

Minimum connection size shall be 10 percent of the largest system pipe size or 1",
whichever is greater. (A 20" system pipe size results in a 2" makeup water connection.)

28.14 Chemical Feed Systems for Chillers. Chemical Feed

Systems are Designed to Control the Following

A. System pH, normally between 8 and 9.

B. Corrosion.

C. Scale.

28.15 Chiller Operating Sequence

A. Start chilled water and condenser water pumps. Verify chilled water and con-
denser water flow.

B. Start chiller and cooling tower.

C. Runtime.

D. Stop chiller and cooling tower.

E. Stop chilled water and condenser water pumps after 0- to 30-second delay
because some chiller manufacturers use chilled water or condenser water to cool
the solid state starter circuitry.

F. Chiller Startup Piping (see Fig. 28.1)

1. Because it takes 5–15 minutes from the time the chiller start sequence is initiated until
the time the chiller starts to provide chilled water at the design temperature, the chilled
water supply temperature often rises above the desired control setpoint. If the chilled water
supply temperature is critical, the method to correct this problem is to provide the chillers
with startup piping which runs from the chiller discharge to the pump return main.
 FIGURE 28.1 CHILLER STARTUP PIPING DIAGRAM.
495
496 PA RT 2 8

2. The designer should size startup piping for the flow of the largest chiller in the system.
The common pipe size only needs to be sized for the flow of one chiller because it is
unlikely that more than one chiller will be started at the same time.
3. Chilled water system operation with startup piping should be as follows:
a. On initiation of the chiller start sequence, the primary chilled water pump is started,
the bypass valve is opened, and the supply header valve is closed. When the chilled
water supply setpoint temperature is reached, as sensed in the bypass, the supply
header valve is slowly opened, maintaining the setpoint temperature at all times.
When the supply header valve is fully opened, the bypass valve is slowly closed.
b. On initiation of the chiller stop sequence, the bypass valve is slowly opened. When
the bypass valve is fully opened, the supply header valve is slowly closed. The chiller
is stopped, and after a delay, the primary chilled water pump is stopped. When the
primary chilled water pump stops, the bypass valve is left open to permit water to
expand into, or contract from, the system. On headered systems, the chilled water
return valve must be closed as well.
4. The chilled water diagram shows the chiller startup piping with motorized shutoff
valves. Motorized valves are required for automatic or remote manual control. If the
chilled water system will be manually operated, these valves may be deleted. A separate
manual shutoff valve has also been provided to allow for manual isolation of the system
and to permit repair of the motorized valve without having to shut down the system.
This manual shutoff valve may be deleted, provided the motorized shutoff valve has a
manual means by which it can be opened and closed. Most motorized control valves do
not have a manual means to open and close them.

28.16 Chiller Design, Layout, and Clearance

Requirements/Considerations

A. Design Conditions
1. Chiller load. Tons, Btu/hr., or MBH.
2. Chilled water temperatures. Entering and leaving or entering and ÄT.
3. Condenser water temperatures. Entering and leaving or entering and ÄT.
4. Chilled water flows and fluid type (correct all data for fluid type).
5. Condenser water flows and fluid type (correct all data for fluid type).
6. Evaporator and condenser pressure drops.
7. Fouling factor.
8. IPLV, desirable.
9. APLV, optional.
10. Chilled water or condenser water reset if applicable.
11. Ambient operating temperature, dry bulb and wet bulb.
12. Electrical data:
a. Compressor or unit KW.
b. Full load, running load, and locked rotor amps.
c. Power factor.
d. Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER).
e. Voltage-phase-hertz.
B. Multiple chillers should be used to prevent complete system or building shutdown
upon failure of one chiller in all chilled water systems over 200 tons (i.e., 2@50
percent, 2@67 percent, 2@70 percent, 3@34 percent, 3@40 percent).
1. Series chiller design: Piping chillers in series can accomplish large temperature differen-
tials without penalizing the chiller performance (see Fig. 28.2 and Fig. 28.3).
2. Parallel chiller design: Piping chillers in parallel provides a simpler installation and pro-
vides for multiple chiller arrangements with standby opportunities. Standby opportunities
Chillers 497

FIGURE 28.2 SERIES CHILLED WATER SYSTEM.

are also available with series chiller arrangements, but they become more complex and
cumbersome (see Fig. 28.4 and Fig. 28.5).
3. When designing chilled water systems for computer centers, data centers, Internet host
sites, and other mission-critical facilities where down time is not acceptable, consider
utilizing a dual primary/secondary chilled-water system with primary/secondary chilled-
water cross-connections and looped secondary system (see Fig. 28.6 and Fig. 28.7). This
chilled-water system design permits isolating the piping segments as well as the equip-
ment to permit service and repairs to both piping and equipment without shutdown of
the system. The dual primary/secondary chilled-water system can be designed and sized
to meet the Uptime Institute’s Tier III classification (N1 redundancy requirements; the
arrangement actually provides N2) and Tier IV classification (2[N1] redundancy
requirements). Chilled-water systems serving mission-critical facilities should always be
designed for future expansion and growth. All future equipment and systems must pro-
vide for this growth. Space must be provided for future equipment, valved and capped
connections must be provided for connections to piping mains so shutdowns are not
required, piping mains must be sized for the ultimate growth of the facility, and electrical
power systems must be designed and sized for the ultimate power utilized by the facility.

C. Water Boxes/Piping Connections

1. Marine type. Marine water boxes enable piping to be connected to the side of the chiller
so piping does not need to be disconnected in order to service machine. Recommend on
large chillers, 500 tons and larger.
2. Nonmarine or standard type. Recommend on small chillers, less than 500 tons.
3. Provide victaulic or flanged connections for first three fittings at chiller with nonmarine
or standard type connections.

FIGURE 28.3 SERIES CHILLED WATER SYSTEM WITH LEAD-LAG CHILLER CONTROL.
498 PA RT 2 8

FIGURE 28.4 PARALLEL CHILLED WATER SYSTEM—COUPLED PUMPS.

4. Locate piping connections against the wall.

5. Locate all piping connections opposite the tube clean/pull side of the chiller.
6. Locate oil cooler connections.

D. Show tube clean/pull clearances and location.

E. The minimum recommended clearance around chillers is 36 inches. Maintain

minimum clearances for tube pull and cleaning of tubes as recommended by the
equipment manufacturer. This is generally equal to the length of the chiller. Main-
tain minimum clearance as required to open access and control doors on chillers
for service, maintenance, and inspection.

F. Maintain minimum electrical clearances as required by NEC.

G. Mechanical room locations and placement must take into account how chillers
can be moved into and out of the building during initial installation and after con-
struction for maintenance and repair and/or replacement.

H. If the chiller must be disassembled for installation (the chiller cannot be shipped
disassembled), specify the manufacturer’s representative for reassembly; do not
specify insulation with chiller (field insulate), and specify the chiller to come with
remote mounted starter.

FIGURE 28.5 PARALLEL CHILLED WATER SYSTEM—HEADERED PUMPS.

Chillers 499

FIGURE 28.6 DUAL PRIMARY/SECONDARY CHILLED WATER SYSTEM FLOW DIAGRAM.

I. Show the location of the chiller starter. Disconnect the switch and the control panel.

J. Show the chiller relief piping.

K. Show sanitary drain locations and chiller drain connections.

L. Locate refrigerant monitoring system refrigerant sensors, and the refrigerant

purge exhaust fan. The refrigerant exhaust system should be designed to remove
refrigerant based on its specific gravity (lighter than air—high exhaust, heavier
than air—low exhaust). Refrigerant detection devices are required by code,

FIGURE 28.7 LOOPED SECONDARY CHILLED WATER SYSTEM FLOW DIAGRAM.

500 PA RT 2 8

ASHRAE Standard 15. Detection devices sound an alarm at certain levels (low
limit) and sound an alarm and activate ventilation system at a higher level (high
limit), with levels dependent on refrigerant type.

M. Providing self-contained breathing apparatus within buildings for refrigerant

emergencies is not recommended as in previous versions of ASHRAE Standard 15.
Pre-positioning emergency response equipment should only be used by trained
emergency responders and must be labeled for use by trained personnel only.

N. Coordinate the height of the chiller with overhead clearances and obstructions. Is
a beam required above the chiller for lifting the compressor or other components?

O. Low ambient operation. Is the operation of the chiller required below 40F, 0F,
etc., or will airside economizers provide cooling?

P. Wind direction and speed (air-cooled machines). Orient the short end of the
chiller to the wind.

Q. If isolators are required for the chiller, has the isolator height been considered in
clearance requirements? If isolators are required for the chiller, has piping isola-
tion been addressed?

R. Locate flow switches in both the evaporator and condenser water piping systems
serving each chiller and flow meters as required by system design.

S. Locate pumpdown, pumpout, and refrigerant storage devices if they are required.

T. When combining independent chilled-water systems into a central plant

1. Create a central system concept, control scheme, and flow schematics.
2. The system shall only have a single expansion tank connection point sized to handle
entire system expansion and contraction.
3. All systems must be altered, if necessary, to be compatible with central system concept
(temperatures, pressures, flow concepts—variable or constant control concepts).
4. For constant flow and variable flow systems, the secondary chillers are tied into the main
chiller plant return main. Chilled water is pumped from the return main through the
chiller and back to the return main.
5. District chilled water systems, due to their size, extensiveness, or both, may require that
independent plants feed into the supply main at different points. If this is required, design
and layout must enable isolating the plant; provide start-up and shutdown bypasses; and
provide adequate flow, temperature, pressure, and other control parameter readings and
indicators for proper plant operation and other design issues that affect plant operation
and optimization.

U. In large systems, it may be beneficial to install a steam-to-water or water-to-

water heat exchanger to place an artificial load on the chilled-water system to
test individual chillers or groups of chillers during plant startup, after repairs, or
for troubleshooting chiller or system problems.

V. Large and campus chilled-water systems should be designed for large delta Ts
and for variable flow secondary and tertiary systems.

W. Chilled-water pump energy must be accounted for in the chiller capacity because
it adds heat load to the system.

X. It is best to design chilled-water and condenser-water systems to pump through

the chiller.