REFRIGERATORS 2: CHILLER VS VRV Part 1

Last week, we discussed about how Vapor Compression Cycle work in correlation to how the split system
works. While split system is common, it may take up too much space and has low efficiency, so big
commercial building have a tendency not to use it. This is because there are another way of air
conditioning system that best meets the standard cooling and cost effectiveness of the building.

There are 2 widely used ways of cooling a large space without using the split system which is using
Chillers or VRF/VRV. Both chillers and VRV use vapor compression cycle much like the split system
but with different system and components. Below are some explanations about both systems. We will
start from the older of the two.

Chillers

A chiller is a heat transfer device that uses mechanical refrigeration to remove heat from process load and
transfers the heat to the environtment. Chiller are used by plastics processors when they need a lower
process fluid temperature than a simpler system, such as an evaporative cooling tower, can provide [1]

How it works?

Much like how the split system works, a chiller works by removing heat from a heat source to an
environment where temperature must be maintained on our needs. This heat removal process is based on
the principle that heat will move from a hotter source to a colder source. A chiller consist of two main
fluid circuit- a refrigeration circuit which is where the vapor compression cycle takes place and a
cooling fluid where usually water is used [2]. The cooling fluid is placed on evaporator and condenser
part of the vapor compression cycle.

When refrigerant enters the evaporator

stage, the cooling effect is transferred to
the water by heat exchange to make the
water cooled typically to 7°C. The water
is then pumped to the Air Handling Unit
or Fan Coil Unit where air is
conditioned by the cold water before
being distributed to rooms. The result is a
cool air typically 22°C which is blown through the ducting system and into the rooms. In the AHU or
FCU, there can also be

Types of chiller

Chiller is divided as Air Cooled and Water Cooled Chiller. The difference is only in the condenser. In
an Air Cooled Chiller, the fan will blow air to the refrigerant coil into the air just like the outdoor unit of a
split system. In Water Cooled Chiller, the condenser is coupled to a third fluid-water circuit to cool the
refrigerant. Heat is transferred to the water more efficiently by heat exchange. The water will then be sent
to Cooling Tower to be recooled. In a cooling tower, cooling of the main mass of water is obtained by
the evaporation of a small proportion into the airstream. Cooled water leaving the tower will be 3–8 K
warmer than the incoming air wet bulb temperature [3]. The closest it gets to the wet bulb temperature,
the better the cooling tower is. Since water is a better heat exchange media, a water cooled chiller is
almost always more efficient in terms of COP than air cooled chillers. However, it needs more
components like cooling towers which will need more investment cost.

VRF/VRV

VRF or VRV is the same, the original name is VRF, but Daikin named it to the global market as VRV.
This system utilizes variable refrigerant flow (VRF) or variable refrigerant volume (VRV) technology
and uses an evolved heat-pump technology with heat recovery systems and sub-cooling built in, which
increases effectiveness and efficiency. The use of this evolved technology makes these systems a good
option for certain kinds of commercial construction projects that require high levels of flexibility when it
comes to occupant comfort or for retrofit projects

VRV system is equipped with a CPU and a compressor inverter and has already proven to be a reliable,
more energy efficient than many aspects of the old air-conditioning systems such as central air
conditioning (Chiller), air conditioning Split, or Split AC Duct. The system is similar to the split system
with alterations that one outdoor unit can now be used for multiple indoor air conditioner.

VRF/VRV is a proven technology which can play a large part in helping integrated building services
design to achieve high energy efficiency. It is based on the simple vapor compression cycle but must be
fully understood to exploit its full potential, both at the design stage, and in installation, commissioning
and service [4]. VRF systems operate on the direct expansion (DX) principle meaning that heat is
transferred to or from the space directly by circulating refrigerant to evaporators located in the indoor unit
within the conditioned space. Refrigerant flow control is the key to many advantages as well as the major
technical challenge of VRF systems [5].

How it works?

You can see in figure above about system VRF/VRV works with one outdoor unit can drive multiple
indoor unit. VRV indoor units are modern, technologically advanced and come in ceiling mounted
cassette, concealed ceiling, ceiling suspended, wall mounted and floor standing models [6]. In VRV’s
outdoor units in generally they have 3 compressors, fin treatment, and especially in VRF/VRV edition the
outdoor have Inverter. The outdoor unit supplies refrigerant to the indoor unit. The compressor varies its
speed to match the indoor cooling and heating demand, therefore only consumes the energy that is
required.

When an inverter-driven system is operating at partial load, the energy efficiency of the system is
significantly higher than that of a standard fixed–speed system. It saves energy according to the Affinity
Law of fans or compressors. This is because fixed–speed systems can only operate at 100% or 0% (ON or
OFF), however, in real time conditions, a chiller almost always operates at partial load. This means that if
we are using a fixed speed system that operates at 100% capacity while not needing it, we waste energy.

Types of VRF/VRV

1. VRF heat pump systems

VRF heat pump systems permit heating or cooling in all of the indoor units but NOT
simultaneous heating and cooling. When the indoor units are in the cooling mode, they
act as evaporators; when they are in the heating mode, they act as condensers. These are
also known as two-pipe systems
2. Heat Recovery VRF system (VRF-HR)
Variable refrigerant flow systems with heat recovery (VRF-HR) capability can operate
simultaneously in heating and/or cooling mode, enabling heat to be used rather than
rejected as it would be in traditional heat pump systems. Each indoor unit is branched off
from the 3 pipes using solenoid valves. An indoor unit requiring cooling will open its
liquid line and suction line valves and act as an evaporator. An indoor unit requiring
heating will open its hot gas and liquid line valves and will act as a condenser. The 2 pipe
heat recovery system has a central branch controller with 2 pipes from the outdoor unit
and 2 pipes to each indoor unit. For mixed mode operation the branch controller separates
a mixture of saturated liquid and vapour delivered by the outdoor unit so that each indoor
can receive high pressure liquid or vapour. In both cases the liquid produced by indoor
units in heating
mode is then used to serve indoor units in cooling mode and improved energy saving is
possible [7]. Units are now available to deliver the heat removed from space cooling into
hot water for space heating, domestic hot water or leisure applications, so that mixed
mode is utilized for more of the year.
Piping System in VRF/VRV

In the text above, we mentioned about 3 pipe system and 2 pipe sytem. VRF/VRV can use both
of them. You can check it in the schematic below
1. 3 Pipe System

2. 2 Pipe Sytem

As shown by the two schematics above, the 2‐pipe system must make a compromise
during mixed load conditions. The system is physically unable to supply both high
 temperature gas & high pressure condensed liquid through a single pipe. No such issues
with the 3 pipe design [8].

NEXT WEEK: REFRIGERATORS 3: CHILLER VS VRV PART 2

REFERENCES

[1] Tim Miller, Understanding Chillers: Which is Right for Your Application

[2] http://www.thermonics-chillers.com/resources/how-process-chillers-work

[3] Trott, A. R., Welch T.,2000 ,Refrigeration and Air - Conditioning Third edition, OXFORD:
McGraw-Hill

[4] Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Institute : VRF/VRV Variable refrigerant volume (or flow)
technology

[5] A. Bhatia, HVAC Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems

[6] http://www.daikinme.com/uae-products-50hz/commercial-vrv/indoor/

[7] Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Institute : VRF/VRV Variable refrigerant volume (or flow)
technology)

[8] Carrier, VRF Design Consideration