Performance monitoring of centrifugal chillers

摘要

This paper discusses some of the mis-conceptions in the design philosophy of chillers for large complexes and the lack of experimental data on their performance after installation. To address these issues, a monitoring system has been installed to examine the performance of six centrifugal chillers at the School of Medicine, University of Auckland. Continuous measurements of current to the compressor, chilled water flow rate and return and flow chilled water temperatures are recorded at one minute intervals and the values are transmitted to a data management system where energy consumption, chilling load and COPs are calculated. Empirical correlations are developed between power factor and current, chilled water flow rate and pressure drop in the cooler, and COP and part loads. These relations can be useful in future designs and performance analyses.