Chillers, Pumps, Motors & Electrical

Alfred Woody, PE
Ventilation/Energy Applications, PLLC Norton Shores, Michigan 231 798 3536

Overview
System components Design considerations Things to check Waste & inefficiencies Common ECMs

Chilled Water Systems

Components
Chiller Cooling Fans Pumps Controls Coils

tower or air cooled condenser

and heat exchangers valves Distribution pipe

Chilled Water System

Refrigeration Fundamentals

A refrigerant in the gas form is compressed adds heat and pressure High pressure gas is cooled in condenser and refrigerant loses heat and becomes a liquid Liquid refrigerant moves to another heat exchanger where its pressure is dropped The low pressure refrigerant expands to a gas which takes heat from the fluid and the refrigerant becomes cold In the heat exchanger another fluid gives up heat to the cold refrigerant gas which is warmed The refrigerant gas moves on to the compressor where its pressure is increased again

Chiller Types

Refrigerant compression uses motor driven compressor

Reciprocating compressor Screw compressor Centrifugal compressor

Absorption chiller - uses heat to dry water from an absorbing liquid, water evaporated from this liquid travels to the evaporator section where it is sprayed. As this water evaporates into this chamber it lowers the temperature and cools the chilled water circulating through it. The evaporated water is absorbed in the liquid which is pumped to the generator section.

Single stage Two stage

Steam Absorption Chiller

Cooling Towers
Condenser water pumped to cooling tower Cooling related to air humidity Evaporative cooling process where water temperature reduced Water should be treated for algae control Water blow-down to control dissolved solids

Cross Draft Cooling Tower

Counter Flow Cooling Tower

Typical Operating Parameters

Chiller output - 45 F water, Return water 10 F to 20 F warmer Condenser water 85 F in, 95 F out Energy Use

Electrical

= .6 to .8 kWh/ton (average is $0.08/ton-hr @ $0.12/kWh) Absorption = 18 MBH/ton single stage ($.22/ton-hr @ $12/million Btu), 12 MBH two stage ($0.14/ton-hr @ $12/million Btu)

Design Considerations

Degree of humidity control and other issues that affect supply chilled water temperatures. Electrical demand costs Systems served
Constant

or variable flow Seasonal & peak requirements

Outside temperature and humidity Cooling tower location

Things to Check
Chiller load profile data Return water temperature Cooling tower condition and temperature reduction Amount of make-up water Temperature at remote locations of distribution system

Energy Waste Chiller Systems

Water flow through shut down equipment Dirty heat exchangers Uncalibrated poorly adjusted controls Cooling tower leaks and excessive blowdown Dirt distribution nozzles in cooling tower Cooling tower internal components in poor condition

Energy Waste Chiller Systems

No insulation on pipes < 60 F Distribution system leaks Unbalanced flow causing excessive pressure drop through control valves Too much bypass water in circulating systems

Energy Inefficiencies Chiller Systems

Use of air cooled condensers Use of oversized equipment Constant chilled water temperature Constant condenser water temperature Blowdown from tower basin

Energy Inefficiencies Chiller Systems

No duct at fan discharge for velocity pressure recovery No adjustment of fan blades for load or season High pressure pumps instead of booster pump use Variable flows with constant speed pumps

ECM Raise Chilled Water Temperature

Raising the leaving chilled water temperature increases the performance efficiency Could be combined with DOAS units having DX cooling Lowers distribution energy losses

ECM Lower Condenser Water Temperatures

lowering the incoming condenser water temperature improves the chiller efficiency Can vary by weather conditions Will cause cooling tower energy to increase Can set up chillers controls to optimize energy use of system

ECM Isolate Off-line Chillers

During low cooling loads when only one chiller needs to operate, the system design has chilled water flowing through all chillers causing multiple pumps to operate and the dilution of the chilled water temperature. Wastes pump Hp and requires lower chilled water temperatures. Install new pipe and valves to allow individual chillers and cooling towers to operate isolated from others. New pumps may also be required.

ECM Replace Air Cooled Condensers with Cooling Towers

Air cooled condensers normally operate at a temperature difference of 20 F higher than the outdoor temperature. Cooling towers perform at 10 F above the wet bulb temperature which can be more than 20 F lower than the dry bulb temperature. The result the chillers condensing temperature could be more than 15 F lower with a cooling tower which has a dramatic effect on chiller performance.

ECM Thermal Storage Systems

Best done during addition to central chilled water system Cost of storage tank less than new chillers Reduces electrical demand charges Can be chilled water or ice storage

Thermal Storage Optimizing Chillers

Pumps
Rotating impeller in housing causes water flow Flow rates changed by

Changing

pumps Shaving impeller Using variable speed motor

Placement important need some water pressure on pump for proper operation

Pumping Energy Waste

Use of excessive valving to balance flow Failure to adjust pump for correct flow during system balance pumps larger than 10 Hp Failure to use booster pumps when a portion of distribution systems requires an 20 % increase in pressure

ECM Utilize Variable Flow Distribution

Requires two way valves at point of use May require primary/secondary pumping system since chillers have a low limit for flow. Achieves savings in pumping horsepower Utilizes full temperature rise of system design

Electrical Distribution

Components
Transformers High

voltage switch gear Power distribution lines Motors

Electrical Distribution

Design Considerations
Building/Area

electrical loads Length of distribution Equipment voltage requirements Need for back-up power

Things to Check
Change in building function since transformer selection Use of standard or high efficiency motors Charge for poor power factor by electrical utility company

Energy Waste - Electrical Distribution

Oversized transformers Energized transformers in unused buildings Transformer taps not set at proper setting

Energy Inefficiency - Electrical Distribution

Power factor less than 85% Use of non premium efficiency motors

ECM Replace Lightly Loaded Transformers

Electrical transformers are up to 98 % efficient and thus there are losses in electrical energy even when the equipment being served is switched off. Lightly loaded transformers should be replaced with an high efficient one that is sized for the current load. Select the transformer with the lowest temperature rating

ECM Power Factor Correction

Poor power factor increases losses in the electrical distribution lines, transformers and motors It is caused by lightly loaded and inefficient motors Install properly sized motors Control power factor by placing capacitors before problem equipment

ECM Utilize Premium Efficiency Motors vs. Standard Efficiency Motors

Comparison with standard efficiency motors with replacement upon failure Electrical cost = $0.055/kWh
Existing Efficiency (%) 88.00% 87.50% 86.00% 85.00% 84.00% 82.00% 80.00% 77.00% 73.00% Proposed Efficiency (%) 93.60% 93.60% 93.00% 91.70% 91.00% 89.50% 89.50% 86.50% 85.50% Energy Saved (kWh/yr) 9,149 7,973 6,862 4,378 3,431 2,451 1,862 1,242 817 Energy Cost Savings ($/yr) $503 $438 $377 $241 $189 $135 $102 $68 $45 Total Cost Premium ($) $1,115 $985 $790 $590 $486 $356 $269 $274 $213 Additional Cost of New Motor vs. Rewinding $558 $493 $395 $295 $243 $178 $135 $137 $107 Simple Payback (yrs) 1.1 1.1 1.0 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.3 2.0 2.4

Motor Size 25 20 15 10 7.5 5 3 2 1

ECM Utilize Premium Efficiency Motors vs. High Efficiency Motors

Comparison with post 1997 high efficiency motors with replacement upon failure Electrical cost = $0.055/kWh
Existing Efficiency (%) 91.70% 91.00% 91.00% 89.50% 88.50% 87.50% 86.50% 84.00% 82.50% Proposed Efficiency (%) 93.60% 93.60% 93.00% 91.70% 91.00% 89.50% 89.70% 86.50% 85.50% Energy Saved (kWh/yr) 3,104 3,398 1,960 1,438 1,225 653 627 327 196 Energy Cost Savings ($/yr) $171 $187 $108 $79 $67 $36 $35 $18 $11 Total Cost Premium ($) $1,115 $985 $790 $590 $486 $356 $269 $274 $213 Additional Cost of New Motor vs. Rewinding Simple Payback (yrs) 3.3 2.6 3.7 3.7 3.6 5.0 3.9 7.6 9.9

Motor Size 25 20 15 10 7.5 5 3 2 1

$558 $493 $395 $295 $243 $178 $135 $137 $107

ECM Install EMCS

Central control and optimization of HVAC systems Remote monitoring and evaluation of system performance Maintenance aid and problem anticipation Electrical demand monitoring and control Need to actively use and adopt as a tool for full benefits

ECM - Replace Lightly Loaded Motors

Look for systems that have had loads reduced Reduced loads on motors result in poor power factors and inefficiencies Measure motor amps and compare to full load current on nameplate Replace motors loaded less than 60% of rating

Thank You

Questions?