How Ambient Temperature Affects Chiller Performance

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1 How Ambient Temperature Affects Chiller Performance

1.1 Reduce cooling capacity

1.2 Equipment life

1.3 Condensation pressure

1.4 Overheating shutdown

1.5 Increased energy consumption

1.6 Solutions

1.7 Not sure what chiller you need?

1.8 Related chillers

1.9 CONTACT US

In hot summer months, outdoor temperatures in some regions can stay above 40°C for extended periods. Is your chiller still running smoothly? This article explains how high temperatures affect chiller performance and offers practical solutions.
Related: How chillers work

Reduce cooling capacity

The ambient temperature affects the heat dissipation efficiency of the chiller. The condenser of the chiller system relies on cooling water or air to take away heat. When the ambient temperature rises, the temperature of the cooling water in the cooling tower connected to the condenser of the water-cooled chiller will also rise, which will reduce its heat transfer efficiency.

For air-cooled chillers that rely on air heat transfer, when the ambient temperature is above 40℃, the temperature difference between it and the refrigerant is reduced, making it difficult to remove heat from the system efficiently. The evaporation temperature in the refrigeration cycle affects the cooling performance. If the refrigerant cannot be cooled in time during the condensation link, the evaporation temperature will increase, thereby reducing the cooling capacity per unit time.

Equipment life

High temperature has brought challenges to the compressor, electronic control system, condenser and other components of the chiller. Long-term operation in high temperature and high pressure environments will accelerate the deterioration of the compressor lubricating oil and the wear of parts. Capacitors and circuit boards are prone to aging or even burning at high temperatures. This results in unplanned maintenance and more frequent part replacements. Not only shortens the service life of the chiller, but also increases maintenance costs.

Condensation pressure

When the ambient temperature rises, the temperature difference between the condenser and the cooling water or air becomes smaller, and heat cannot be discharged efficiently, which will cause the condensation pressure of the cooling system to increase. The higher the condensation pressure, the greater the exhaust pressure of the compressor, so that the entire refrigeration cycle operates under high pressure. It not only increases the system load, but also makes the refrigerant flow state unstable, affecting the performance of the chiller.

Overheating shutdown

To protect the safety of equipment and personnel, most chillers are equipped with safety devices such as high pressure protection, compressor exhaust temperature protection, and condensing temperature alarm. When the ambient temperature is too high, it’s more likely to trigger protection mechanisms and force shutdown, interrupting the production process.

Increased energy consumption

To output a fixed amount of cooling, the compressor needs to run longer at high temperatures, even at full load. In addition, fans, water pumps and other components will also need to maintain operation under high load due to reduced cooling efficiency. This will cause a significant increase in the power consumption of the equipment.

Solutions

Water-cooled chillers

Compared with air-cooled chillers, the ambient temperature has less impact on water-cooled chillers. The cooling water temperature used by water-cooled units is generally below 30°C. Even in hot weather, the temperature is much lower than the air temperature, and the heat exchange temperature difference is larger, so the heat exchange efficiency is higher. In addition, the water-cooled system removes heat through the continuous flow of cooling water. As long as the cooling water flow and temperature remain stable, the system will not experience large fluctuations. This is conducive to stable operation of the compressor and reducing the failure rate.

Maintenance

A clean condenser is the basis for ensuring heat exchange efficiency, so you should regularly check whether it is dusty or blocked. Air-cooled units should clean the fan and filter regularly, and water-cooled units should check the cooling water quality to prevent scaling or corrosion of the heat exchanger. In addition, the compressor oil level, refrigerant level and system pressure should also be checked regularly to prevent overheating of the equipment due to lack of maintenance.

Ventilation

The chiller generates heat during operation and should be installed in a well-ventilated location to avoid direct sunlight. If installed indoors, an exhaust fan or ventilation system should be installed to ensure smooth air circulation around the equipment. If installed outdoors, it is best to add a sunshade to reduce the shell temperature.

Not sure what chiller you need?

We offer water-cooled and air-cooled units with various performances. LNEYA can provide you with customized solutions for any chiller-related issues. Contact us to enjoy a stable and reliable temperature control experience this summer.