refrigerant to water heat exchanger performance

[1960TR3A]

If I increase the condenser water flow to a shell and tube refrigerant to water heat exchanger in a packaged air handling unit, how will that affect operation of the compressors? The plan under consideration is to change pump impellers so the condenser water flow rate is increased by 60% so that the existing (oversized) cooling towers will operate at the proper flow rate per manufacturer's recommendations - to get the proper pressure at the spray nozzles. How will this increased flow affect the operation of the compressors in a packaged air handler downstream?

 

[chilled]

....snippage....
"How will this increased flow affect the operation of the compressors in a packaged air handler downstream?"

The condensing pressure will decrease, the condensor water side temperature rise will decrease, the approach temperature will increase and if the flow rate is excessively excessive there could be a pitting/errosion problem created within the water side of the condensor.

 

[EAJ82]

well if done accurately, it should increase the efficiency and the power output of the compressor.

 

[SAK9]

Mate,

You need to check what is the maximum flow the heat exchanger can take.

Excessive flow can cause tube erosion and excessive pressure drops in the heat exchanger

 

[EAJ82]

i was talking about the compressor efficiency !

 

[marcoh]

Increasing water flow by 60% if HX/pipework is not designed for it may be an issue and a waste of pumping energy.

Try changing the cooling tower spray nozzles or blanking some nozzles off?