Chiller Plant Optimization: Improving On Variable Primary Flow Chilled Water System Operation
The larger or more complex a cooling plant becomes, the more challenges to its ef-ficiency it will face. When applied wisely, modern controls and equipment can rise to meet those challenges. Read up on active balancing, pump dynamic differential setpoint control, and more responsive tactics for when the worst thing you can do is just go with the flow.
Optimizing any cooling plant for minimal energy consumption is a demanding science. In many cases, minimizing chiller plant energy consumption requires modifications to the plant design, including refinement of control algorithms to assure optimal plant performance.
In this article, we will show how further energy savings can be obtained from an efficient variable primary flow chilled water (VPFCHW) system by actively compensating for system changes when operating at capacities less than design load. The discussion will be centered on countering the effects of VPFCHW central plant imbalance, single-setpoint chilled water pump differential pressure control, and condenser water pump operating pressure and flow.