Variable Flow Chilled Water Systems

Abstract

Today, substantial savings can be achieved by converting constant flow-rate chilled water systems to variable flow-rate systems. This conversion is best suited for large, central plant chilled water systems where two or more chillers are utilized. Many large commercial and industrial energy users produce chilled water for space conditioning and various processes. These chilled water systems generally circulate the same amount of chilled water regardless of the load. Rising energy costs are causing energy managers to take a closer look at supplying only the chilled water required to satisfy a particular load. In this way, pumping electrical costs can be reduced, resulting in an overall increase in the efficiency of chilled water plants.

This paper will briefly describe the characteristics of both constant flow-rate and variable flow-rate chilled water systems. Many concerns, benefits, and the economics of variable flow-rate chilled water systems will be highlighted in this analysis.