Enertrak inc. VRF Presentation Contents 1. What is Variable Refrigerant Flow? 2. Why do we use VRF system? 3. How does VRF work? 4. VRF Indoor/Outdoor Units Capacity Control 5. Benefits of VRF Capacity Control 6. Different VRF Systems 7. Design Around Diversity 8. Comparing VRF to « Conventional Systems » What is Variable Refrigerant Flow? The Variable Speed Technology has advanced dramatically over the past years.
VAV: Variable Air Volume (Air handlers)
VFD: Variable Frequency Drive (Pumps & Fans)
VRF: Variable Refrigerant Flow
VRV: Variable Refrigerant Volume What is Variable Refrigerant Flow? ASHRAE Journal April 2007
The term “Variable Refrigerant Flow refers to the capability of a HVAC system to control the amount of refrigerant flowing to each of the indoor units/evaporators, enabling the use of multiple evaporators of differing capacities and configurations, individualized comfort control, simultaneous heating and cooling in different zones with heat recovery from one zone to another”
AHRI Standards & Policy Committee June 2009
Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) System is an engineered direct expansion (DX)
multi-split system incorporating at least one variable capacity compressor distributing refrigerant through a piping network to multiple indoor fan coil units each capable of individual zone temperature control, through a zone temperature control devices and common communications network. Variable refrigerant flow implies three or more steps of control on common, inter-connecting piping What are VRF Multi Split units?
VRF Multi Split Used to cool and heat buildings
Direct expansion systems
Variable 1 Outdoor Unit
capacity Compressor
Multiple indoor Units
Individual Indoor unit control of capacity indoor units control Why do we use VRF Systems? • Decentralized System – Zone Comfort • Efficiency – Pay for what you use • Flexible • Simple to design • Easy to install and commission • Good value How does VRF work? Outdoor unit
Refrigeration Piping
Indoor Units
Control wiring
Controllers How does VRF work? Reversing Valve Outdoor Unit
Indoor Condenser Units Compressor Low Level at High Refrigerant Speed
Inverter Inverter 50% Cooling Demand
Outdoor Unit
Indoor units at 50%
cooling demand
Indoor Condenser Units Compressor High Level at Low Speed Refrigerant
Inverter Inverter Indoor Unit Capacity Control • Indoor units individually controlled by LEV • LEV has 2 functions Control the superheat across indoor unit evaporator Acts as solenoid valve to stop refrigerant flow to indoor units that are off Smart Indoor Coil Design • If superheat is high the valve will open
• If Superheat is low the valve will close Outdoor Unit Capacity Control • Compressor speed is controlled by a VFD based on common saturated suction temperature and capacity required • Refrigerant volume flow is directly proportional to the compressor speed • Power input is directly proportional to the cube of the compressor speed Combined indoor and outdoor Capacity Control Indoor Heat Load High all zones 1.) Superheat high
3.)Saturated suction temperature high
Indoor unit Heat Exchangers 5 .Refrigerant pumping volume high Outdoor Zone Zone Zone Indoor Heat Exchanger B A C units Compressor
Accumulator Inverter Linear Expansion Valve Variable speed control
Control individual indoor unit capacity
Outdoor unit 2.) LEV opening large 4.) Compressor speed high Combined indoor and outdoor Capacity Control Indoor Heat Load : Zone A High Zone B Medium 3.) Superheat Lower Zone C Zero 1.) Superheat high
6.)Saturated suction temperature lowers
Indoor unit Heat Exchangers 8 .Refrigerant pumping volume lowers Outdoor Zone Zone Zone Indoor Heat Exchanger B A C units Compressor
Accumulator Inverter Linear Expansion Valve Variable speed control
2.) LEV opening largeindividual indoor unit capacity
Control Outdoor unit 4.) LEV opening medium 7.) Compressor speed lower 5.) LEV closed VRF control compared to conventional systems Comfortable and Efficient Operation in each zone
ZONE Air Conditioning to
meet individual requirement!! < Only 1 room > Different VRF Systems • 2 Pipe System cooling only • 2 Pipe System heat pump cooling or heating • 3 Pipe System simultaneous cooling and heating • 2 Pipe System simultaneous cooling and heating – air cooled • 2 Pipe System simultaneous cooling and heating – water and geothermal application 2 Pipe System cooling only 2 Pipe System cooling or heating 2 Pipe System using branch joints 2 Pipe System using branch header 3 Pipe simultaneous cool and heat
1. - Suction Pipe 2. - Hot gas Pipe Branch selector 3. - Liquid Pipe 2 Pipe simultaneous cool and heat Air cooled Efficency of simultaneous heat/cool Indoor units 100% Cooling 100%
2 Pipe simultaneous cool and heat Water source or geothermal loop 2 Pipe heat recovery Water source or geothermal loop 2 Pipe VS 3 Pipe simultaneous cool and heat DIVERSITY 1. Time of Day
2. Heating & Cooling
3. Occupancy Time of Day N
3 Tons 5 Tons Afternoon Morning Afternoon Morning Time of Day N
DIVERSITY 1. Time of Day VRF System can efficiently distribute cooling capacity to keep up with changing solar loads 2. Heating & Cooling VRF System can heat and cool simultaneously
3. Occupancy As people move throughout a building, VRF System can move energy around to maintain comfort levels within setpoint 10,000 ft2 Office Application 10,000 ft2 Office Application VRF Indoor Unit Overview • 1, 2 & 4 Way Cassette • Ducted horizontal • Ducted vertical • Ceiling Suspended • Wall Mounted • Floor Standing • Water heating modules Comparing VRF to « Conventional System » • Total System is stopped during night time • If one person is working overtime, the complete system must operate • Unevenly Air Conditioned space • Possibility of Water Pipe Corrosion • Maintain Water Quality • Lots of Piping & Wiring • Lots of Space Required for Machines • Time Consuming Design VRF SYSTEM Water Cooled Packaged A/C Water Cooled Chiller & AHU Air Cooled Chiller & Fan Coil Units Water Chiller & AHU Operation and Comfort Operation and Comfort Management and Architecture Initial Cost Operating Cost – Full Load Operating Cost – Part Load Benefits of VRF • For Property Owners Can be adapted to meet various applications in buildings due to multiple style and capacity indoor units Creates Added Value to the building due to: • Comfort Levels (Space temperature controlled individually • Operation only required in zones used • Power consumption can be reduced by up to 30% Provides advanced space efficiency at a good price Benefits of VRF • For Consultants / Contractors / Installer Easy to design No Zoning considerations with heat recovery Short design period compared Easy to install No need for expensive controls Easy to maintain All system components supplied by one vendor Benefits of VRF • For Users Can be operated to suit individual needs Exact temperature control for each office/ zone Comfortable working space improves productivity. QUESTIONS ?
