Chiller basics

Chiller basics

With Phil Rodin

Things to check when chiller is not running or is in alarm

Alarm showing water flow, pumps both chilled and condenser water types of flow switches

Alarm showing water flow, pumps both chilled and condenser water types of flow switches

Alarm showing water flow, pumps both chilled and condenser water types of paddle switches

Alarm showing water flow, pumps both chilled and condenser water types of electronic flow switches

Electronic flow switches have probes

Alarm Conditions

High Pressure1. Low water flow2. Cooling tower3. Strainers (locations?)4. Valves (electric or manual types)5. The entering and leaving water temp.6. Approach temp

Alarm conditions

Sure flex #9

Alarm conditions

Alarm conditions

Alarm conditionsChilled water flow

1. Pumps2. Strainers3. Valves (manual and electric)4. Flow switches5. Water temp in and out6. Approach temp

Alarm conditionsChilled water flow (cont.)

PRV

What is the oil temperature?

1. Feel the tank or read with inferred.2. Check control panel3. Check for power4. Think out of the box, How can we heat

this?

What is the oil temperature?(cont.)

Tube sheets

Chiller barrel

Enhanced tubes

Inside and outside tubes

Vapor to liquid

Flooded Evaporator

What is the oil temperature?(cont.)

Pressure & Temp. Gauges(electronic)

Pressure & Temp. Gauges(fluid type)

Chiller Surging

ASK YOURSELF?????1. Is it a high or low end surge?2. Are your amps going up or down?3. The sound? a. Is it an elephant b. Is it a grumble

Chiller Surging(High & Low Surging)

High Surge on Low Pressure Machines1. Water temp. in and out.2. Approach 3. Cooling Tower4. Purge5. Refrigerant levels

Chiller Surging(High & Low Surging)

Cooling Towers

Chiller Surging(High & Low Surging)

Chiller Surging(High & Low Surging)

Chiller Surging(High & Low Surging)

Chiller Surging(capacity control)

Chiller Capacity Control

Low End Surge

1. Water temp. In and out2. Approach Temp.3. Water pressure4. Refrigerant levels

Low End Surge

Low End Surge

Transducers & Sensors Types

Transducers & Sensors Types

Panel Codes

1. Carrier code 11112. York code 9675 aka YORK3. Trane code ++--++ (different

combinations)

How’s the Chiller Running?

Is the chiller running in local?Is the chiller running in EMS?Are the pumps running?Are the valves open?Hand –off Auto (Think before going to hand)

Cavitation of Pumps

1. Strainers2. Water pressures3. Couplings4. Valves5. Primary or Secondary Loop

Questions(There is no such thing as a dumb question)

?