An overview of consolidation of utility equipment; compressor, cooling tower, boiler & chiller to...

1. Definition

1.1. Centralized Utility System

1.2. Decentralized Utility System

2. Conclusion

3. Utility

3.1. Compressor

3.1.1. Definition

3.1.1.1. An air compressor is a pneumatic device that converts power (using an electric motor, diesel or gasoline engine, etc.) into potential energy stored in pressurized air (i.e., compressed air)

3.1.2. Operation

3.1.2.1. Air compressors work by forcing air into a container and pressurizing it. Then, the air is forced through an opening in the tank, where pressure builds up.

3.1.3. Type

3.1.3.1. Low-pressure air compressors (LPACs), which have a discharge pressure of 150 pounds per square inch (10 bar) or less

3.1.3.2. Medium-pressure compressors which have a discharge pressure of 151 to 1,000 pounds per square inch (10.4 to 68.9 bar)

3.1.3.3. High-pressure air compressors (HPACs), which have a discharge pressure above 1,000 pounds per square inch (69 bar)

3.1.4. Centralized

3.1.4.1. A centralized compressor installation is in many cases the solution of choice, as it is less expensive to run and maintain than several, locally distributed compressors.

3.1.5. Decentralized

3.1.5.1. A system with several decentralized compressors can also be the preferred choice for certain applications. It involves a smaller, simpler compressed air distribution system. A disadvantage of decentralized compressors lies in the difficulty of inter-regulating the compressed air supply and in maintaining a reserve capacity.

3.2. Boiler

3.2.1. Definition

3.2.1.1. Boiler is an equipment generating steam by applying heat energy to water.

3.2.1.2. It has auxiliary such as Force‐Draft, Induced‐Draft fans, controls, etc.

3.2.2. Operation

3.2.2.1. It is a pressure vessel that provides a heat transfer surface (generally a set of tubes) between the combustion products and the water.

3.2.2.2. The heated or vaporized fluid carrying the thermal energy required exits the boiler for use in various processes or heating applications, including water heating, central heating, cogeneration, cooking and sanitation and etc.

3.2.3. Type

3.2.3.1. Two basic types of boilers: firetube and watertube

3.2.4. Centralized

3.2.4.1. Primary purpose of a Centralized Boiler Plant is to economically produce energy (steam/hot water/compressed air/electric power) for distribution.

3.2.4.2. It is built depends upon the requirements of specific installation, i.e. Low Temperature Water/Medium Temperature Water/High Temperature Water/Low Pressure Steam/High Pressure Steam

3.2.5. Decentralized

3.2.5.1. Primary purpose of a decentralized boiler system is to reduce GHG emissions and maintenance cost. It is normally installed for residential since each user has different demand requirements.

3.3. Cooling Tower

3.3.1. Definittion

3.3.1.1. Is a specialized heat exchanger in which air and water are brought into direct contact with each other in order to reduce the water's temperature. As this occurs, a small volume of water is evaporated, reducing the temperature of the water being circulated through the tower. (Source: https://spxcooling.com/coolingtowers/ )

3.3.2. Operation

3.3.2.1. Application - Oil refineries, Petrochemical and other chemical plants, Thermal Power Stations, Nuclear Power Stations and HVAC Systems for cooling buildings

3.3.3. Type

3.3.3.1. 1. Natural Draft Cooling Tower

3.3.3.2. 2. Induced Draft Cooling Tower

3.3.4. Centralized

3.3.4.1. District-cooling system - offers operating flexibility and convenience, with the possibility of using the same supplier for electricity, while since each building can use as much or as little cooling as needed, without worrying about chiller size or capacity. Energy efficiency means where the heat exchangers will transfer practically all cold to the top of the building with minimum loss.

3.4. Chiller

3.4.1. Definition

3.4.1.1. - A chiller is a machine that removes heat from a liquid via a vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycle.

3.4.1.1.1. from Science Direct Journal by William A. Poe, Saeid Mokhatab, in Modeling, Control, and Optimization of Natural Gas Processing Plants, 2017

3.4.1.2. Chillers consist of four essential components; an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion unit. In addition, every chiller system contains a refrigerant.

3.4.1.3. An industrial chiller is a refrigeration system used to lower the temperature of machinery, industrial spaces, and process fluids by removing heat from the system and transferring it elsewhere. Industrial chillers are essential for temperature regulation in several industrial processes, such as injection molding, metal plating, oilfield production, and food processing

3.4.1.3.1. https://waterchillers.com/blog/post/how-does-a-chiller-work

3.4.2. Operation

3.4.2.1. The process starts with a low-pressure refrigerant entering the evaporator. Inside the evaporator, the chiller refrigerant is heated, causing it to undergo a phase change into a gas. Next, the gaseous refrigerant goes into the compressor, which increases its pressure.

3.4.2.2. The high-pressure refrigerant goes to the condenser, which rejects the heat using cooling water from a cooling tower or air from the surroundings, condensing it into a high-pressure liquid. The condensed refrigerant then goes to the expansion unit, which has a valve that acts as a metering device to limit refrigerant flow. Learn about new chiller refrigerants.

3.4.2.3. Consequently, this lowers the pressure of the refrigerant and begins the cooling process again. The entire process is known as the refrigeration cycle.

3.4.2.4. An industrial chiller system is driven by one of two operational principles: a. Heat absorption b. Vapor compression

3.4.3. Type

3.4.3.1. The types of chillers are divided into two main categories vapor compression and vapor absorption chillers. vapor compression chillers use an electrically driven mechanical compressor to force a refrigerant around the system while vapor absorption chillers use heat to move the refrigerant around the system.

3.4.3.1.1. https://www.huazhaochiller.com/news/types-of-chillers.html

3.4.3.2. Vapor compression chillers are the most commonly used and fit into two subcategories: air chillers and water chillers.

3.4.3.2.1. The primary difference between air and water chillers is how the unwanted heat is ejected. Air chillers us air to remove heat while water chillers use, you guessed it, water.

3.4.3.3. The 5 common types of chillers in HVAC are the centrifugal chiller, the air-cooled chiller, the hybrid chiller, the magnetic bearing chiller and the heat recovery chiller. Among them, the centrifugal chiller is the most common type of chiller in HVAC.

3.4.3.3.1. https://aircondlounge.com/types-of-chillers-in-hvac/

3.4.4. Centralized

3.4.4.1. The term “central air-cooled chiller” refers to any central chiller system that can cool several processes throughout a plant at the same time. A central chiller plant can be stationary or portable. The system requires a reservoir, pump, or pumps to distribute the water or coolant to the processes.

3.4.4.1.1. https://waterchillers.com/water-cooled-chillers/central-chillers.html

3.4.4.2. The term, “central stationary water-cooled chiller,” refers to any system that can cool several processes throughout a plant at the same time. The main component is a stand-alone chiller unit that must be connected by piping to a pump and a separate reservoir to function.

3.4.4.2.1. https://waterchillers.com/water-cooled-chillers/central-chillers.html

4. Benefits

4.1. Reduced overall space requirement

4.2. Implementation of synergy between systems for a better overall efficiency such as ease of implementing heat recovery (economically viable), water recovery, heat pumps and cogeneration

4.3. Smaller CAPEX

4.4. Reduced OPEX

5. Objective

5.1. Benefits

5.1.1. Maintenance

5.1.2. CAPEX

5.1.3. OPEX

5.1.4. G.H.G.

5.1.5. Layout Optimization

5.1.6. Other Tech (Incorporate)

5.1.7. Centralized Control