In this article we will be looking at some basic ways to improve chiller efficiency...
News Article No.18
Improve Chiller Efficiency with a Clean Condenser
When an air cooled condenser becomes blocked, there is a reduction in air flow through it. This causes a high pressure condition to exist. The compressor pulls more amps to achieve the same mass flow rate of refrigerant. Also, more fans come on to try and reduce the excessive pressure. The on site maintenance team usually brush down the condensers at regular intervals. However, some of the contaminants require specialist cleaning equipment to be used by our engineers during the scheduled maintenance visits. We also carry a set of fin alignment tools to ensure that the air flow is kept at its optimum condition.
Improve Chiller Efficiency by Removing Evaporator Thermal Insulation
Contaminants circulating in the water system accumulate on the surface of the tubes in the evaporator. This thermal insulation prevents the absorption of latent heat into the chiller refrigerant system. Because the water is not being chilled efficiently, the compressor stays on longer to try to achieve set point. When this condition is allowed to deteriorate, the compressor never goes off and the chilled water temperature rises to a point where little effect is being made to the cooling of buildings or the cooling of an industrial process. We strip down the heat exchanger and use specialist cleaning equipment to repair the problem.
Blocked Strainer
This problem is particularly prevalent on chillers supplying chilled water to a heavy industrial process. The strainer is essential to prevent the contaminants continuing to the evaporator and causing the above mentioned thermal insulation. This is usually one of the periodic checks of the on site engineers as part of their planned preventative maintenance schedule. Our engineers also check the strainer on each maintenance visit.
0161 237 3727
service@maximuschillers.com
Improve Chiller Efficiency with Correct Refrigerant Charge
In the photo, the superheat and subcooling values are being worked out by one of our engineers. This is how we determine a refrigerant shortage. Less latent heat is being absorbed into the chiller refrigerant and so a lot of electricity is being used with little effect to the chilling of the water.
Refrigerant Leak Repairs
The remaining refrigerant is decanted from the system using a pump out unit and recovery cylinders. We then pressure leak test the entire system using nitrogen. After locating the leaks, we repair them using oxy-acetylene. The system is then pressure tested according to industry guidelines to ensure its integrity. Then, the dehydration process is carried out by pulling the system down to a near vacuum. This also has the effect of removing non condensables from the system, such as, air and nitrogen. We then recharge the system with refrigerant, a little at a time, until the superheat and subcooling readings come to within standard industry guidelines. This saves a considerable amount of electricity used for the running of the plant.
F-gas Register
Our leak tests and follow up leak tests are recorded in your F-gas register so that when an external auditor arrives on site, you can show that you are maintaining your plant according to the current regulations.
Blocked Pump Fan
On smaller process chillers, the water system pump is located inside the chiller. Over time, the pump cooling fan inlet becomes blocked causing a reduced air flow across the external cooling fins on the pump. This causes the pump to run hotter and so pulling more amps. The bearing life of the pump is also reduced because of its inefficient operation. As well as the increased cost of electricity, expensive pump replacement is needed at more frequent intervals. Pump efficiency and functionality checks are just some of the procedures that we carry out during a maintenance visit.
0161 237 3727
service@maximuschillers.com
Waste of Money
When you look at these examples of inefficiently running chillers, it is easy to see that there is a significant waste of electricity and the untimely replacement of parts. The above are just a few examples of some of the more basic reasons for a poorly running chiller.
Maintenance Visits Improve Chiller Efficiency
We carry out an extensive list of other checks and procedures during each maintenance visit. We have developed a detailed Tick Sheet to ensure that our engineers do not forget any of the adjustments that can be made.
Mobile Workshop
We also carry an extensive selection of commonly used parts and materials in each company car. This means that we can often improve a chiller’s performance during a visit with no extra cost.
Kilowatt Hour Meters
Our maintenance saves money! With new customers who have poorly maintained chillers, we have the option of fitting kilowatt hour meters. We record the amount of electricity being used at the start of the contract. Then, we carry out our list of procedures and adjustments to improve the running of your chillers. This is a visual way for our customers to see just how much money they are saving. When this is compared to the cost of a maintenance contract, they can see how worthwhile it is having Maximus Chillers on site.
Scheduled Chiller Maintenance
Send us an asset list of your chillers and we will put together a maintenance schedule to keep your chillers running in the best condition. We will recommend how many visits are required each year and what needs to take place on each visit. A plan will be put together regarding the procedures that your onsite engineers can carry out in between visits.
Technical Support Desk
To keep your costs down, we offer a free Technical Support Desk to all of our contract customers. Manuals and passwords can be sent in PDF format direct to your computer. To further assist, we offer real time technical support using face time on your phone. This is because it is often a lot easier to show our technical engineer a chiller that is running poorly, rather than to explain it.
Related Articles:
Air Cooled Chiller Condenser Testing
Shell & Tube Chiller Evaporator Maintenance
Planned Preventative Chiller Maintenance
Chiller Condenser Tube Cleaning
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Read more about how to improve chiller efficiency on The Engineering Mindset