Experimental analysis of ON/OFF and variable speed drive controlled industrial chiller towards energy efficient operation

Pawel Olszewski

Applied Energy, 2022, vol. 309, issue C, No S0306261921016652

Abstract: This study demonstrates thermodynamic and energy effects of a Variable Speed Drive (VSD), powering compressor in a partially loaded chiller system. The proposed work fits the gap in the existing literature, which mostly addresses VSD applications in chiller’s auxiliary pumps and fans. The goals of this work are defined by four Research Problems (RP’s): RP1. comparison of thermodynamic extensive parameters, for ON/OFF and VSD controlled systems, RP2. load ranges in which VSD control systems are energy efficient, RP 3. potential energy savings in VSD controlled compressor, and RP 4. mathematical model formulation, useful in energy audit conditions, estimating potential benefits of VSD implementation, based on measurement data from existing ON-OFF controlled chiller. To address these aspects, a set of measurements have been performed on a fully equipped experimental chiller system (UW Oshkosh Teaching and Energy Research Industrial Lab). All data have been collected for a wide spectrum of loads in both control configurations. Data analysis showed significant differences in a chiller operation. VSD operated chiller eliminates fluctuations in all measured thermodynamic parameters (RP1.). The accomplished work demonstrated that the most energy efficient effects can be achieved for a partially loaded, VSD-controlled chiller, working at ∼55–75% of its nominal capacity (RP 2.). The implementation of a Variable Speed Drive for such load levels allows for achieving up to 25% of energy savings (RP 3.) Finally, proposed mathematical model have been experimentally verified as useful in the range of 50–100% of nominal load (RP 4.).

Keywords: Variable Speed Drive chiller; Thermodynamic analysis; Chiller’s energy efficiency; Auditing of chiller systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118440

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