How to tell for sure water side on chiller evaporator is clogged ?

[Pfigueiredo]

Hi to you all,
At our facilities we have a TRANE ECGAL 700 chiller.
I have an heead loss in the evaporator (water side) of 0,6 bar.
Trane (now ingersoll) wants to change the pump in the hidraulic circuit.
The circulator pump makes the water flow to an inercia reservoir.
I think the problem is an clogged evaporator.
How do i know for sure if the problem is the evaporator or other hidraulic part.
Thanks for you help on this.
Regards
PF

[Blueboy]

Hi Pfigueiredo

You can measure the pressure drop across the evaporator and compare it to the manufactures specification. All water chiller manufactures specify what they want as a minimum and maximum pressure drop across the evaporator as from this you can calculate the flow rate. This is where I would start . The next step will be to measure the pressure in and out of the pump again this can be compared to the pump manufacturers spec. Finally take the pump apart - look at the impeller and replace it - Easy job

[AliCanGonc]

If you dont have water side gauges and want to understand it from the refrigeration cycle, just check the suction pressure+ temperature. if the suction pressure is low + the superheat value is low, it would most probably indicate a low water flow.

[Steve186]

Hi Fella
Blueboy is correct on what he is saying
To prove a fouled evaporator the best way is always check the evaporator approach this must be recorded at full load also at full load depending on the design spec we would like to see 6 deg c delta t across the evaporator
at full load as blueboy said refer to chiller design spec
with out the design spec you will be pissing in the wind
but the approach will tell you alot