![Unit](/images/new-backgrounds/66217/6621735x1.webp)
Unit
Options | Free Cooling |
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Free Cooling Allows Reduced Operating Costs
Consider a CenTraVac™ chiller option that can provide up to 45 percent of the nominal chiller capacity — without operating the compressor. Think of the significant energy and cost savings possible in many applications. This option is available on all Trane chillers, factory installed.
Free cooling operation is based on the principle that refrigerant migrates to the area of lowest temperature. When condenser water is available at temperatures lower than the required leaving chilled water temperature (typically 50 to 55°F), the unit control panel starts the free cooling cycle automatically.
When the free cooling cycle can no longer provide sufficient capacity to meet cooling requirements, mechanical cooling is restarted automatically by the unit control panel.
For example, a building with a high internal cooling load is located in a climate with cold winters. It is possible to cool the building exclusively with free cooling three to six months of the year! Free cooling payback can easily be less than a year.
Free cooling is completely factory installed and requires no more floor space or piping than the standard CenTraVac chiller (unlike plate frame heat exchangers).
Benefits
The Trane patented free cooling accessory for Trane CenTraVac™ chillers adapts the basic chiller so it may function as a simple heat exchanger using refrigerant as the working fluid. When condenser water is available at temperatures lower than the desired chilled liquid temperature, free cooling can provide up to 45 percent of nominal chiller capacity without operation of the compressor. This feature may result in substantial energy cost savings on many installations.
Free Cooling Operation Schematic
Reliability
Two simple valves are the only moving parts.
Ease of Operation
Changeover on free cooling by single switch control.
Ease of Installation
Completely
Application
Modern buildings often require some form of
The suitability of free cooling for any particular installation depends upon a number of factors. The availability of low temperature condensing water, the quality of the outside air, the type of airside system, the temperature and humidity control requirements, and the cost of electricity all have a direct impact on the decision to use a free cooling chiller.
The use of CenTraVac free cooling depends on the availability of cold condenser water from a cooling tower, river, lake, or pond. As a general rule of thumb, locations which have a substantial number of days with ambient temperatures below 45°F wet bulb or more than 4000
Airside systems which both heat and cool the air can often effectively use a free cooling chiller.
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