If replacing a chiller, must associated air handler be replaced?

[Designer_82]

I am working on a project where we are replacing a McQuay air cooled chiller with a new similar Carrier chiller.

The supply water characteristics will be similar to existing. Does the existing air handler HAVE to be replaced to match the Carrier chiller or can it remain as long as supply water characteristics are the same?

Maybe the controls compatibility could be a problem?


Appreciate it.

 

[EnergyProfessional]

You should hire an engineer to design the project.

No, the AHU is independent of the chiller assuming we talk about the same fluid (i.e. you are not going from water to glycol) and design temps. the only reason there would be a problem if there is a significant over or under-sizing due to new chiller. But with similar capacity, this should not be the case. Note a single chiller could supply multiple AHU, or a single AHU could be supplied by multiple chillers, or something in between.

Yes, controls of chiller need to be integrated. New chiller will have many more options than the old chiller. It may or may not make sense to upgrade AHU controls at the same time. New chiller could have variable flow, supply temperature reset etc. That is a design question.

 

[BronYrAur]

Just making sure with this question....

You don't mean a split-system chiller with an air-cooled condenser do you? You are not referring to leaving the air-cooled condenser and replacing the inside chiller part are you?

 

[LittleInch]

An AHU is nothing more than a glorified coil and a fan.

So feed it with cold water and cold air will come out of it.

If same quantity of cold water is going through it then the same performance will result. [pre][/pre]

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[HILLTOP mechanical engineering]

What does the code say? That is what you do.