HVAC Dictionary

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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Acidize

When acid is used to remove mineral and

iron deposits (scale) to restore heat
transfer efficiency.

Air Balance Test

A test used to measure airflow across a

tower or air handler system.

Air Balancing Hood

Measures airflow from grilles and

diffusers.

Amp (Ampere)

The practical meter-kilogram-second unit

of electric current that is equivalent to a
flow of one coulomb per second or to the
steady current produced by one volt
applied across a resistance of one ohm.

Amp/Ohm/Volt Meter

Measures motor amperage and voltage

test controls.

ARI

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration

Institute

Baseline Data

Baseline (or historical) data is compiling

past chiller logs for review.

Basin

Cold water reservoir in the cooling tower

system.

Basin Temperature

The actual temperature of the cold water

basin in the cooling tower system.

Bearing

A support or guide by means of which a

moving part such as a shaft or axle is

positioned with respect to the other parts

of a mechanism.
Bearing Oil Reservoir

Excess oil used in the lubrication of the

bearing system located in the compressor
system.

Biocide

A substance (as DDT) that is destructive

to many different organisms.

Blockage

Blockage is obstruction of flow, i.e., valve,

debris, etc.

Boroscope

A fiber-optic camera or lens, used to

inspect tube bundles or piping.

BTU

British thermal unit. The amount of heat

required to raise the temperature of 1
pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit.

Bypass Valve

A valve used to detour flow, i.e., to detour

water from the hot deck to the tower
basin to control tower basin temperature.

Carryover

The movement of a fluid from one area to

another. Carryover of this liquid may
contaminate another liquid, causing
undesired results.

Chilled Water

Chilled water is the water in the closed

loop (closed to the atmosphere) or
evaporator system of the chiller.

Chiller

A heat exchanger using air, refrigerant,

(Centrifugal Chiller)

water and evaporation to transfer heat

(BTUs) to produce air conditioning
(measured in tons). A chiller is comprised
of an evaporator, condenser and
compressor system.

Chiller Barrel Passes

Many chillers are designed with more

than one pass to maximize heat transfer.
Baffels and gaskets are used to separate
each pass to ensure design flow through

the chiller barrel.

Chiller Design Tonnage

The design capacity of the chiller

measured in tons produced in an hour.

Chiller Efficiency

Chiller efficiency is measured in Kilowatts

per ton (Kw/Ton) of cooling produced.
The higher the Kw/Ton, the lower the heat
transfer efficiency and the higher the cost
to produce a ton of cooling.

Chiller Log Sheet

A sheet on which specific chiller readings

are documented.

Chiller Manufacturer

The company that built the chiller, i.e.,

York, Trane, Carrier, McQuay, etc. The
manufacturer name is typically
prominently displayed on the chiller
control panel or technical documentation.

Chiller Stall

A chiller stalls when the refrigerant is no

longer moving through the compressor
and there is no cooling effect. All shaft
work is being converted into heat in the
compressor that may lead to permanent
damage.

Chiller Startup

The chiller manufacturer's

recommendation on startup including preheating the compressor oil temperature
prior to chiller startup.

Chiller Surge

When the refrigerant flows backwards

through the compressor wheel every few
seconds until the pressure builds up and
the refrigerant moves forward again. This
is even more dangerous than a stall
because it reverses loads of thrust
bearings in the compressor shaft.

Chiller Vein

Chiller veins are used to control the

(Inlet Guide Veins)

capacity of the compressor. As the inlet

guide veins start to close, they change

the gas entry angle to the impeller and

reduce gas flow and compressor
capacity. As the vanes near the closed
position, they throttle the refrigerant flow.
Closed Loop

The evaporator side of the chiller system,

closed to the atmosphere.

Compressor

A mechanical device where the

refrigerant is compressed from a lower
pressure and lower temperature to a
higher pressure and higher temperature.
The compressor maintains a low pressure
in the evaporator by continually removing
refrigerant vapors. This low pressure, low
temperature vapor is then compressed
into a higher pressurize, hot refrigerant
vapor which leaves the compressor and
travels to the condenser. The motor in the
compressor is the main consumer of
energy in the chiller system. The energy
used by the compressor is dependent on
the pressure increase. The head pressure
divided by the suction pressure or the
condenser pressure divided by the
evaporator pressure expresses this. If the
compressor operates out of its original
design, it will effect the energy
consumption.

Compressor Erosion/Corrosion

Damage to the bearings and impeller

caused by poor lubrication, low oil levels
or operating conditions such as liquid
refrigerant carryover into the compressor
system.

Compressor Motor Amps

The energy used to power the refrigerant

cycle in a chiller system. The input energy
is dependent upon the pressure increase
in the compressor. The head pressure

divided by the suction pressure or the

condenser pressure divided by the
evaporator pressure determines it.
Compressor Oil Temperature

Compressor oil temperature is the

temperature of the oil in the compressor
bearing lubrication system. This
temperature is predetermined by
manufacturers specifications.

Condensation

The process a vapor goes through to

change phase from vapor to a liquid.

Condenser

Heat exchanger where the system heat is

rejected and the refrigerant condenses
into a liquid. The condenser is where hot
pressurized refrigerant vapors in the
compressor are cooled and liquefied by
cooling tower water circulating through
the tubes of the condenser. The
condenser side is commonly referred to
as the open recirculation system or open
loop.

Condenser Delta P

The pressure drop between the suction

side and the discharge side of a chiller
barrel. This pressure drop can be
measured against known values from
tables/charts to determine water flow
through the chiller barrel. Delta P is
dependant on chiller tube ID and tube
length.

Condenser Delta T

The temperature difference between the

entering and leaving water through the
chiller barrel. i.e., the entering
temperature is 85F and the leaving
temperature is 95F then the delta T
would be 10.

Condenser Water GPM

The velocity of the condenser water

(Gallons Per Minute)

measured in gallons per minute. All chiller

condensers have a manufacturers design
GPM flow rate.

Condenser Pressure

The head pressure produced in the

condenser dependent on the entering
condenser water temperature and the
saturated refrigerant temperature. The
condenser pressure can affect the
refrigerant cycle and heat transfer. The
pressure correlates to saturated
refrigerant temperature on a
pressure/temperature chart for each
refrigerant type.

Condenser Refrigerant Approach Temperature

The refrigerant temperature minus the

leaving water temperature. The
refrigerant temperature can be
determined by locating the condenser
(head) pressure on a
pressure/temperature chart, or if the
chiller control panel provides this
information.

Condenser Water

The open recirculating system connects

the chiller condenser to the cooling tower
system and the atmosphere. Condenser
water is subject to evaporation,
debris/contamination, fouling/scaling and
microbio growth.

Conditioned Fluid

The fluid being acted upon by the working

fluid. Example: in an air conditioning
system the air is conditioned by the
refrigerant (refrigerant is the working
fluid).

Constant Speed Drive

Constant speed drives are the most

common type of chiller compressor motor.
They have limited ability to adjust speed
based on part load conditions.

Contamination

Any foreign object or substance not

normally found in a specific location.

Cooling Tower

Where the process of heat exchange

occurs by evaporation in the open
recirculating system. The cooling tower
system includes tower fans, plenum, drift
eliminators, fill, levelers, hot deck and
cold basin. All cooling towers have a
design rated delta temperature.

Cooling Tower

The difference between the leaving water

Approach Temperature

temperature and the entering air wet

bulb.

Cooling Tower Fan

Fan system designed to remove the heat

generated by the open recirculating
system through evaporation.

Cooling Tower Fill

Designed to brake up the circulating

water into smaller particles or a thin film.
This increases the surface area of the
water to enhance evaporation and heat
removal.

Cooling Tower/Condenser System

The cooling tower system includes tower

fans, plenum, drift eliminators, fill,
levelers, hot deck and cold basin
combined with the condenser barrel and
piping making up the open loop or open
recirculating system.

Corrosion

The decay and loss of a metal due to a

chemical reaction between the metal and
its environment. It is a transformation
process in which the metal passes from
its elemental form to a combined (or
compound) form.

Cost of Blowdown

The total cost of water sent to

drain/sewer, typically determined on a per
1,000 gallon basis. This value can be

found on the water and sewer utility bill or

from the utility company.
Cost of Kw

The cost of electricity charged by the

electric and is typically $0.04 to $0.15 per
kilowatt depending on geographic
location.

Cost of Makeup

The total cost of water added to the

condenser/cooling tower system, typically
determined on a per 1,000 gallon basis.
This value can be found on the water and
sewer utility bill or from the utility
company.

CPLV - Calculated Part Load Value

The calculated Kw/Ton derived from the

effect of part load and entering condenser
water temperature on the chiller when
compared to full load design.

Dead Leg

A static condition that exists over a period

of time in equipment or system that has
no water flow. This condition is usually
associated with lay-up and can promote
the growth of microbes and corrosion.

Debris

Anything the environment can introduce

that is washed out by the tower
operations, i.e., dirt, trash, chip scale
"flash corrosion", bugs, broken tower fill,
broken tower wood, plastic, etc.

Delta P

The pressure drop between the discharge

side and the suction side of a chiller
barrel. This pressure drop can be
measured against design values provided
by the chiller manufacturer or previously
developed charts by plant personnel to
determine water flow through the chiller
barrel.

Delta T

The temperature difference between the

entering and leaving water through the

chiller barrel, i.e., entering temperature is
85F, leaving temperature is 95F = delta
T10F. If the actual water flow is known,
delta P could determine a problem if the
actual delta P does not match the current
water flow.
Design Amps (Full Load)

The maximum amp load on the chiller.

This information can be found in the
chiller technical documentation.

Design Condenser Delta T

The temperature difference between the

entering and leaving water through the
chiller barrel when the chiller is running at
full load, i.e., the entering temperature is
85F and the leaving temperature is 95F
then the delta T would be 10. Modern
high efficiency chillers are designed to
run at 9.4F delta T at 3gpm/ton.

Design Condenser Refrigerant Approach Temperature

The difference between the condenser

water out temperature and the condenser
leaving refrigerant temperature at design
full load. This information can be found in
the chiller technical documentation.

Design Condenser Water GPM

Below is a list of design GPM ratings

based on the chiller design delta T.
- Entering Water Temperature: 85F
- Delta T Range: 10-20F
- Normal delta T: 10F
- 3.0 GPM/Ton @ 10F delta T
- 2.5 GPM/Ton @ 12F delta T
- 2.0 GPM/Ton @ 15F delta T
- 1.5 GPM/Ton @ 20F delta T
- 5,000 Btuh/GPM @ 10F delta T
- 6,000 Btuh/GPM @ 12 F delta T
- 7,500 Btuh/GPM @ 15F delta T
- 10,000 Btuh/GPM @ 20F delta T

- ARI Condenser Fouling Factor:

0.00025 Btu/Hr.Ft2.F
Design Entering Condenser Water Temperature

The design entering condenser water

temperature is typically 85F based on
ARI standards for chillers commissioned
after 1989. This information can be found
in the chiller technical documentation.

Design Evaporator Chill Water GPM

Below is a list of design GPM ratings

based on the chiller design delta T.
- Leaving Water Temperature: 42-46F
- 10-20F delta T
- 2.4 GPM/Ton @ 10F delta T
- 2.0 GPM/Ton @ 12F delta T
- 1.5 GPM/Ton @ 16F delta T
- 1.2 GPM/Ton @ 20F delta T
- 5,000 Btuh/GPM @ 10F delta T
- 6,000 Btuh/GPM @ 12F delta T
- 8,000 Btuh/GPM @ 16F delta T
- 10,000 Btuh/GPM @ 20F delta T
- ARI Evaporator Fouling Factor:
0.00010 Btu/Hr.Ft2.F
- Chilled Water Flow Range: Chiller
Design Flow 10%
- Chiller Tube Velocity for Variable Flow
Chilled Water:
- Minimum Flow: 3.0 FPS
- Maximum Flow: 12.0 FPS

Design Evaporator Delta T

The temperature difference between the

entering and leaving water through the
chiller barrel when the chiller is running at
full load, i.e., the entering temperature is
54F and the leaving temperature is 42F
then the delta T would be 12.

Design Evaporator Refrigerant Approach Temperature

The difference between the evaporator

chill water out temperature and the
evaporator leaving refrigerant

temperature at design full load. This

information can be found in the chiller
technical documentation.
Design Full Load

Design refers to full load conditions. Full

load is a chiller running at 100% load
capacity, 85F ECWT, 42-46F leaving
chill water temperature and is the rating
of the manufacturer.

Design Full Load Amps

The maximum amp load on the chiller.

This information can be found in the
chiller technical documentation.

Design Kw/Ton

The Kw used to produce one ton of

cooling when the chiller is running at full
load design (ex: 0.6). This information
can be found in the chiller technical
documentation.

Design Specifications

Manufacturer tested specification when

determining design to actual operations.
This includes the chiller, cooling tower, air
handlers, etc. to ensure expected
performance of the equipment.

Digital Manometer

Measures positive and negative air

pressures in ducts, from room to room,
and for taking traverses.

Distribution Holes

Holes in the hot deck of a cooling tower

designed to evenly distribute the water
flow over the tower fill below.

Drift

Entrained water droplets leaving the

tower system. If the drift is severe,
caused by missing or damaged drift
eliminators, it can increase corrosion to
the fan components.

Drift Eliminator

A device that removes entrained water

droplets (drift) from air leaving the tower
system.

Dry Bulb

The ambient outside temperature.

ECWT

Entering Condenser Water Temperature

Emulsification

The entrainment of one substance into

another, i.e., oil in water or oil in
refrigerant.

Energy Balance

Energy cannot be created or destroyed

during heat transfer; therefore the amount
of energy leaving the source must equal
the amount reaching the sink.

Entering Condenser Water Temperature

Entering condenser water temperature is

the temperature of water entering the
condenser.

Enthalpy

The quantity of internal energy of a body

plus the product of its volume and
pressure.

Erosion

The group of natural processes, including

weathering, dissolution, abrasion,
corrosion, and transportation, by which
material is worn away.

Evaporation

The process a liquid goes through to

change phase from a liquid to a vapor.

Evaporator

Heat exchanger where the system heat is

absorbed and the refrigerant evaporates
into a gas. By continually pulling
refrigerant vapor out of the evaporator
headspace, low pressure can be
maintained causing the refrigerant to
evaporate rapidly. Evaporation cools the
refrigerant. This cold refrigerant produces
chilled water by heat transfer. The
evaporator side is commonly referred to
as the closed loop system (chill water).

Evaporator Chill Water GPM (Gallons per minute)

The gallons of chill water going through

the evaporator per minute.

Evaporator Delta P

The pressure drop between the suction

side and the discharge side of a chiller
barrel. This pressure drop is measured
against known values to determine the
water flow GPM through the chiller barrel.
Delta P is dependant on chiller tube ID
and tube length.

Evaporator Delta T

The temperature difference between the

entering and leaving water through the
chiller barrel. i.e., the entering
temperature is 54F and the leaving
temperature is 42F then the delta T
would be 12.

Evaporator Fouled

A film or compound, which attaches to the

and/or Scaled

internal tube surface, impeding heat

transfer and lowering efficiency.

Evaporator Refrigerant Approach Temperature

The leaving water temperature minus the

refrigerant temperature. The refrigerant
temperature can be determined by
locating the evaporator (suction) pressure
on a pressure/temperature chart, or if the
chiller control panel provides this
information.

Evaporator Leaving Refrigerant Temperature

The temperature of the saturated leaving

refrigerant is at prior to leaving the
evaporator in the refrigerant cycle.

Evaporator Pressure

A vacuum measured in inches of Hg

(mercury) for low-pressure chillers and a
positive pressure (psig) for high-pressure
chillers. This vacuum/pressure correlates
to refrigerant temperature on a
pressure/temperature chart for each
refrigerant type.

Evaporator Refrigerant Level

The level of the liquid refrigerant in the

evaporator barrel.

Fan

A device for producing a current of air in

the cooling tower used to remove heat
from the condenser tower system.

Flow Rate

The quantity of fluid in motion per a unit

of time. Flow rate is expressed in mass
per unit time or volume per unit time.

Flute

Allows the transfer of liquid refrigerant

from the condenser back to the
evaporator.

Flute Frosting

A problem associated with rapid

movement of liquid refrigerant at low
temperatures from the condenser to the
evaporator, causing frost to form on the
flute.

Fouled Tubes

Debris or substance which impedes flow

or heat transfer. Fouling can be caused
by trash, chip scale "flash corrosion",
microbio, etc.

Free Oil

"Free" or floating oil on top of a liquid with

a higher specific gravity.

Full Load Design

Design refers to full load conditions. Full

load is a chiller running at 100% load
capacity, 85F ECWT, 42-46F leaving
chill water temperature and is the rating
of the manufacturer.

Gasket

Any of a wide variety of seals or packings

used between matched machine parts or
around pipe joints to prevent the escape
of a gas or fluid.

Gauge

An instrument or device for measuring,

indicating or comparing a physical
characteristic, i.e., temperature or
pressure.

GPM

Gallons Per Minute

Heat

When energy is added to an object or

location, the motion of the molecules
increases causing them to collide more
frequently. The motion energy is
converted into heat during the collisions.
As more collisions occur more heat is
released and the temperature of the
object or location increases.

Heat Index

The heat index is the combination of

actual outside air temperature plus the
affect of relative humidity to give an
apparent temperature.

Heat Exchanger

Device that provides a practical means

for the working fluid to heat or cool the
conditioned fluid efficiently with out the
two fluids mixing.

Heat of Rejection

The amount of heat rejected by the

(Heat of Expansion)

refrigerant in the condenser, which

includes compressor heat.

Heat Sink

Object or location that is at a lower

temperature than the heat source and
receives the energy from the source.

Heat Source

Object or location that is at a higher

temperature than other objects or
locations.

Heat Transfer

The movement of energy as heat moving

from a heat source to a heat sink.

Heat Transfer Coefficient

A proportionality constant in the heat

transfer rate equation derived from the
conditions of the fluid motion, the tube or
fin surface geometry, and other
thermodynamic properties.

Heat Transfer Efficiency

The ability of heat to transfer from one

substance to another.

Heat Transfer Fluid

Any gas or liquid used by heat

exchangers to transfer heat.

Heat Transfer Rate

Amount of energy that is moved from the

heat source to the sink per an amount of
time. Usually stated as Btu/hr in the
English measurement system and Watts
(Joules per second) in the Metric system.

High Pressure Chiller

A chiller that operates in a positive

pressure for both the evaporator and
condenser (measured in psig). Some
high-pressure refrigerants include R-12,
R-22, R-134a and R500.

Hot Deck

The top deck of the cooling tower where

the condenser water returns to the tower
prior to be cooled by evaporation, also
referred to as the hot basin.

Hot Deck Distribution Holes

Holes in the hot deck that distribute the

flow of returning condenser water evenly
across the tower fill.

Hot Gas Piping (Piping)

A means of recirculating hot discharge

refrigerant back into the evaporator. The
refrigerant must pass through a pressurereducing device (hot gas bypass valve).
The purpose of hot gas bypass is to
maintain a minimum gas volume flow rate
through the compressor to avoid surging
or stalling during low load conditions. A
disadvantage is that the work of
compression on the recirculated
refrigerant does not generate any
refrigeration effect.

Hot Wire Anemometer

Measures air velocity in grilles, filters,

coils and ducts.

IPLV - Integrated Part Load Value

A single number, part-load efficiency

indicator calculated using the ARI method

at standard rating conditions. Introduced

in ARI Standard 550-1986, the definition
of IPLV was changed in ARI Standard
550/590-1998 to more closely reflect
actual operating experience found in the
field for a single chiller.
Kw/ton

A kilowatt (Kw) is a measure of electrical

energy. A ton is a measure of cooling and
is defined as 12,000 BTU of cooling per
hour.

Laminar Flow

Smooth undisturbed flow of a fluid.

Latent Heat

Heat given off or absorbed during phase

change (condensation, evaporation,
solidification, melting, or sublimation).

Lay-up

The process of winterizing a tower or

condenser system when not in use.

Legionella

A bacterium of the genus legionella,

especially pneumophila, that can cause
Legionnaires' disease - an acute,
sometimes fatal respiratory disease
caused by and characterized by severe
pneumonia, headache, and a dry cough.

Liquid Refrigerant

The compressor coolant used in the

refrigerant cycle of a chiller for heat
transfer.

Liquid Refrigerant Stacking

This condition occurs can be caused by

mechanical failure or low head pressure
in the condenser and evaporator caused
by low condenser water temperature.

Liquid Piping

Refrigerant piping from the condenser

outlet to the evaporator inlet.

Load

Amp load is compared to full load and the

percentage value equals the load of the
chiller. Actual amps divided by full load

amps is the percentage of full load

design.
Load Swing

A large or radical change in cooling load

requirements, i.e., weather or building
operations requirements.

Log Mean Temperature Difference

A specialized average temperature

difference used to determine the heat
transfer rate.

Low Pressure Chiller

A chiller that operates the evaporator in a

vacuum, measured in inches of Hg
(mercury). In some cases relating to
entering condenser water temperature,
the condenser may also operate in a
vacuum. Some low-pressure refrigerants
include R-11, R-113, R-114, R-123.

Maintenance Practices

An organized schedule of chiller and

plant maintenance.

Microbe

An organism of microscopic or
ultramicroscopic size.

Non-Condensable Gasses (Air)

Air that enters the evaporator through a

vacuum leak and migrates to the
condenser (in low-pressure chillers only).
This affects the condenser head
pressure, condenser refrigerator
approach temperature and condenser
heat transfer efficiency.

NPLV - Non-standard Part Load Value

A single number, part-load efficiency

indicator calculated using the ARI method
referenced to rating conditions other than
ARI standard. The 1998 standard
adopted NPLV for situations when a
single chiller is not intended to operate at
standard ARI rating conditions.

Oil

Used as the lubricant in the compressor

system to lubricate and protect bearings,

shaft, etc.
Oil Analysis

Tests used to determine impurities and

the ability of the oil to lubricate.

Oil Change Interval

The length of time between oil changes,

determined by hours of operation, oil
analysis, etc.

Oil Entrainment

Entrainment is another term for flow. This

term is primarily used to reference the
flow of oil through the system to the
return.

Open Loop

The condenser/tower side of the chiller

system, open to the atmosphere.

Operating Conditions

The values of temperature, flow rate, and

pressure of the heat transfer fluids as
they enter and leave the heat exchanger.
Used to determine the heat transfer rate
for the heat exchanger.

Part Load

Chiller load conditions below full load

design. Most chillers operate at part load
~99% of the time.

Plate Exchanger

A heat exchanger used to create free

cooling (not using a compressor or
refrigerant to transfer heat) by running
colder tower water over stainless steel
plates which transfers heat between the
closed loop to the open loop.

Power Factor

The ratio of actual power (Kw) to

apparent power (kVA). Most centrifugal
motors have a power factor between 0.87
and 0.91. Additional capacitors can be
added to raise the power factor to a
practical limit of 0.95. In the table below,
the closer the length of the kVA line is the
the kW line the more efficient the user of
the energy.

Pressure Drop

Amount of reduction in the pressure of a

fluid between the entering and leaving
pressures. The pressure drop in a chiller
is dependant upon the tube ID of the tube
bundle and its length. Rough surfaces or
objects that are in the flow path can
cause reduced pressure.

Pressure Gauge

An instrument that measures pressure in

psig, psid or psia depending on the
circumstances.

Primary Surface Area

The area that contains the working heat

transfer fluid. Usually the tubes of a
finned/tube heat exchanger.

Pump

A device used to circulate fluid from one

location to another.

Pump Curve

The design capacity of a pump's ability to

circulate fluid.

Pump Curve Calibration

A flow test to determine the capacity of a

pump's ability to circulate fluid.

Pressure

The application of force to something by

something else in direct contact with it.

Pressure Drop

The reduction in pressure between a fluid

entering and leaving a closed system.

Pretreatment

The removal of oil and grease from new

piping and chillers to ensure maximum
heat transfer. It should also lay down a
passivating film to prevent flash corrosion
and in some cases, white rust.

Pumpout System

Pumpout systems consist of a storage

tank large enough to hold the chillers
entire refrigerant charge and a refrigerant
pump/compressor to move the refrigerant
from the chiller to the pumpout tank and
back again. It's primary purpose is for

servicing the chiller.

Purge Unit

Removes non-condensable gasses (air)

from the condenser barrel of the chiller.
Required on all low-pressure chillers only.

Quality

The ratio of vapor mass to total mass of a

substance at the substance's saturation
temperature and pressure.

RAT

Refrigerant Approach Temperature

Refrigerant

The mechanism used by the chiller, which

performs heat transfer by converting from
liquid to gas and gas to liquid at various
pressures and temperatures. Common
refrigerants used in commercial HVAC
are R-11, R-12, R-22, R-113, R-114, R123, R-134a, R-500.

Refrigerant Analysis

Laboratory analysis of a refrigerant

sample to determine contamination,
typically oil or moisture.

Refrigeration Effect

The amount of heat absorbed by the

refrigerant in the evaporator.

Restricted Flow

Restricted flow is caused by an

obstruction (blockage) in system piping,
chiller barrel or tower system.

Retrofit

A retrofit is a modification to a chiller

system. For example, a new style
compressor replacing an older, less
efficient style or to use a different
refrigerant to comply with new standards.
The results can affect energy efficiency.

Rotating Vane Anemometer

Measures air velocity by use of a rotating

vane or fan.

Sacrificial Anode

An anode that is made of a metal,

typically zinc or magnesium, that is lower
on the galvanic chart so it will be

sacrificed to protect the mild steel tube

sheet and end bells in the chiller from
galvanic corrosion.
Seal

A seal is a tight and perfect closure (as

against the passage of gas or water) or a
device to prevent the passage or return of
gas or air into a pipe or container.

Secondary Surface Area

The area that extends from the primary

surface area into the fluid being
conditioned to enhance the heat transfer.

Sensible Heat

Heat that causes a change in the

temperature of an object or location.

Separation Gasket

Gasket used to separate a two or more

pass chiller between the inlet and
discharge of the chiller.

Specific Heat

The ratio of the quantity of heat required

to raise the temperature of one pound of
a substance one degree Fahrenheit to
that required to raise the temperature of
one pound of water one degree, Btu/lb.
For the metric system, the unit of mass is
kilogram and the temperature scale is
Celsius.

SRB

Sulfate Reducing Bacteria. SRB can

cause significant localized pitting
corrosion and severe damage in the
cooling tower system.

Strainer

Used to remove foreign material from the

water flow. The mesh size determines the
size of the material/debris being
removed.

Superheat Test

A superheat test is the excess of the gas

suction temperature above the gas
saturation temperature

The purpose of the superheat is to

ensure that liquid refrigerant does not
enter the compressor.
Typically the standard is between 10 and
20F. A high superheat value is an
indication of low refrigerant levels and low
superheat value is an indication of high
refrigerant levels especially when the
compressor is operating at full load.
Suction Piping

Refrigerant piping from the evaporator

outlet to the compressor suction inlet.

Temperature

Degree of hotness or coldness of an

object or location measured on a definite
scale.

Temperature Difference

Degree of change between two

temperatures.

Thermal Expansion

Pressure and temperature regulation

valve, located in the liquid line, which is
responsive to the superheat of the vapor
leaving the evaporator coil.

Thermal Conductivity

Material property indicating how easily

heat travels through material. It depends
on the physical structure of matter at both
the molecular and atomic level as well as
the state of matter, solid, liquid, or gas.

Thermometer

Measures and evaluates temperature.

Transcritical Cooling

Cooling by using the subcritical and

supercritical state of the refrigerant. The
critical point of a substance is the
temperature and pressure where the
phase changes to what is called a
"supercritical fluid" which shows

properties of both a liquid and a vapor at

the same time. Only a substance that has
a critical point near the ambient
temperature can be used, making
CO2 the refrigerant of choice for this
process.
Total Surface Area

The sum of the primary surface area and

secondary surface area.

Tube

A pipe that water flows through to transfer

heat.

Tube Bundle

A group of heat exchanging tubes.

Turbulent Flow

Disturbed, chaotic flow of a fluid. The

velocity at a given point varies erratically
in magnitude and direction.

Two Phase Flow

Change in phase (liquid to gas, gas to

liquid), due to changes in pressure or
temperature, that takes place while the
fluid is circulating through the heat
exchanger.

Ultrasonic Flow Meter

A device that is used to measure flow

through piping.

Vacuum

A space partially exhausted by artificial

means (i.e., suction measured in inches
of Hg in a low pressure chiller).

Variable Frequency Drive (VFD)

A chiller with a variable frequency drive

has a controller that monitors the
operating conditions and uses a
combination of inlet guide vanes and
speed control. VFDs act as a soft-starter.
VFDs can offer significant energy savings
at part load conditions, but they typically
do not run as efficiently at full load when
compared to constant speed drives.

Vortex

A mass of fluid (as a liquid) with a whirling

or circular motion that tends to form a

cavity or vacuum in the center of the
circle and to draw toward this cavity or
vacuum bodies subject to its action.
Volts

The practical meter-kilogram-second unit

of electrical potential difference and
electromotive force equal to the
difference of potential between two points
in a conducting wire carrying a constant
current of one ampere when the power
dissipated between these two points is
equal to one watt and equivalent to the
potential difference across a resistance of
one ohm when one ampere is flowing
through it. Typical chiller voltages are
460, 480, 2400 or 4160. This information
can be found in the chiller technical
documentation.

Water Treatment Program

A water treatment program provides a

biocide program that minimizes
microbiological growth along with
excellent scale/corrosion protection.

Wet Bulb

The combination of outside air

temperature and relative humidity,
affecting the ability of the tower to
evaporate water into the atmosphere. The
higher the relative humidity, the more
difficult it is to evaporate additional
moisture.

Working Fluid

The heat transfer fluid that changes the

temperature.