Improved energy performance of air-cooled water chillers with innovative condenser coil configurations – Part ΙΙ: Experimental validation

The second part of this study (Part II) used full-scale experimentation to investigate the manner in which how two condenser coil configurations (VRC and CRC) influence the performance (energy efficiency) of the system and individual components of air-cooled chillers. The results showed that, for both DX and FL evaporator configurations, the chillers with VRC condensers had a greater cooling capacity (an increase of 4.5% and 4.0%, respectively), refrigeration capacity (an increase of 6.5% and 5.6%, respectively), and COP (an increase of 7.3% and 6.7%, respectively), compared to chillers using CRC condensers. This demonstrates that VRC-designed condensers can effectively improve heat transfer performance and enhance the energy efficiency of refrigeration systems without increasing material costs or the number of tubes and fans. The results of this study can be used as reference data for future research on improving the system performance of air-cooled water chillers.

► We conducted full-scale experimental system to test chiller performance. ► We examine the effects of coil configuration of condenser on chiller COP. ► The chillers with VRC condenser had a greater cooling capacity and COP. ► VRC-designed condenser can effectively improve heat transfer rate and COP.