Centrifugal chillers: Thermodynamic modelling and a diagnostic case study

Abstract

The diagnostic capability of a simple thermodynamic model for chiller performance is illustrated by a case study for a commercial, installed centrifugal chiller. Performance data were measured both prior to, and subsequent to, chiller maintenance that improved chiller efficiency. Using these experimental measurements, we show that the simple thermodynamic model, originally developed for reciprocating and absorption chillers, (1) succeeds in predicting the fundamental relation between coefficient of performance and cooling rate for the centrifugal chiller, and (2) permits a clear diagnostic analysis of heat exchanger fouling on chiller performance. © 1995.