8.5.

HEAD-PREsSURE CONTROL
There exists for each installation and set of operation parameters a discharge pressure
giving minimum energy consumption. There may in a certain installation be technical
limits like defrost design, allowed compressor range, screw compressor oil separators,
expansion valve capability, liquid line flashing, heat rec1aim and others. Every degree
centigrade change of to the discharge pressure corresponding saturation temperature will
change the compressor power demand by 2-3% as a rule of thumb. A yearly lowering of
the average "discharge temperature" of 10 degrees or more is normally obtainable
together with changes in the above-mentioned limiting factors. When head pressure
varies with load and weather conditions, it is sometimes referred to as floating head
pressure.
For evaporative condensers, the main weather parameter is the wet-bulb temperature
in the airflow to the condenser.
Wet Bulb Temperature
Condensing pressure may never
be lower
a:
~
e
a.
Condensorpower + compressor power
Minimum
Power demanc
I
Condensor power
,
DISCHARGE PRESSURE
Figure 13. Compressor and condenser power versus discharge pressure
For each new set of operation parameters this "best" pressure will change. The
control system should be set to find this point considering the technical limitations. A
good start is to set the discharge pressure Te=O.9x~v +9.5C, where Twis the wet bulb
temperature. For systems with more than one evaporative condenser, one should find the
best control method for each installation. If possible, operate equal condensers part
loaded in parallel to keep as much heat transfer area as possible. In many older
installations there is no possibility to part load condensers. Look into the possibility to
install speed control for the main fans not only for one condenser if more than one existo
For air-cooled condensers a similar possibility exists starting with the requirement
that the sum of condenser fan power and compressor power should be at a minimum.
Rere the limiting parameter is the dry-air temperature before the condenser.
For air-cooled condensers, the use of the whole condenser area is advantageous and