Chapter 3.

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3 · Central Plant

low supply temperature. However, it is recommended that supply temperature should not
go below 36°F–37°F (2.2°C–2.8°C) to avoid freezing in the evaporator, especially in vari-
able flow systems. Lower supply temperature, if required, may be achieved via circula-
tion of a glycol solution, however this is normally cost prohibitive due to the initial and
operating costs of glycol solution.
When CHW storage is feasible, care should be taken to not reduce the chilled water
temperature below 39.2°F (4°C) to allow proper temperature stratification within the ther-
mal energy storage (TES) tank. A TES tank charging temperature lower than 39°F
(3.9°C) without low temperature additives will result in mixing within the tank, loss of
tank stratification, and may disturb the system supply temperature and the storage con-
cept. Refer to Chapter 6 for additional information on TES.
Due to the above considerations, it is normal to find that the majority of CHW DCPs
are designed for a 40°F (4.4°C) supply temperature and a 56°F (13.3°C) return tempera-
ture. Some plants may be designed for temperatures lower than 40°F by using multiple
cascaded heat exchangers in series, such as high-rise towers; however, it should be noted
that each 1°F (0.6°C) reduction in supply temperature will increase chiller-specific
energy consumption (i.e., kW/ton [kw/kw]) by approximately 2%. Some plants are
designed for a higher return temperature (up to 60°F [15.5°C] or higher) to increase the
T, but there must be a great deal of additional coordination with the design of the cus-
tomer’s building’s HVAC system to ensure the system operates per design intent.
CHILLER BASICS
Chiller Types
Chiller types utilized in DCSs vary from one location to another depending on differ-
ent parameters including water availability, power availability, maximum power demand
that can be offered by the utility, steam availability, gas availability, fuel oil availability,
distribution temperature required, plant location with respect to development, and applied
environment impact regulations including pollution and noise control, etc.
The chillers may be classified according to:
• Heat rejection source
• Driving energy source
• Supply temperature required
• Capacity

There are two methods of rejecting chiller-condenser heat, either air-cooled or water-
cooled. Air-cooled chillers are typically packaged type where the controls, compressors,
evaporator, and air-cooled condenser are all on the same skid. The capacity of such chill-
ers may go up as high as 450 tons (1600 kW), and they have been implemented in several
central plants by installing multiple units in chiller farms, either on-grade or on building
rooftops. The unit transfers absorbed building heat indirectly to the ambient. The life span
of such equipment if properly maintained is typically around 15 years depending on
ambient temperature and annual run time (e.g., the hotter the climate, the more run time
hours at severe duty conditions and hence a shorter life). Care should be taken when
selecting an air-cooled chiller so as not to use just the design dry-bulb temperature as the
ambient temperature. Consideration should be given if the unit(s) are located on-grade or
on a rooftop and to how the characteristics of these areas add to the ambient temperature.
This is especially true in a chiller farm since the discharge of one chiller may affect the
inlet of another thus derating it. The manufacturer’s recommendations should be followed
in selecting chillers and in making sure there are adequate clearances between adjacent
chillers and structures.

3.3