Chiller Replacement and Plant Upgrades
C&S designed the replacement of a 3,200-ton back-pressure steam chiller equipped with eight 300hp magnetic-bearing compressors, the largest of its kind in the world today. The new chiller is a replacement of an existing 3,500-ton back-pressure steam chiller.
The replacement of the 3,500-ton chiller with the new 3,200-ton system also exemplifies the advancements in chiller technology. Despite the slightly lower capacity, the modern features and improved performance of the new chiller make it a superior choice.
Industrial Chillers like these are essential for industries that require precise temperature control, ensuring that operations run smoothly and efficiently. By investing in state-of-the-art chiller systems, companies can significantly enhance their operational reliability and energy management, ultimately leading to better productivity and reduced operational costs.
C&S’s BIM services team was deployed to provide a 3D scan of the existing facility. Utilizing the Leica RTC360 lidar scanner, the team was able to bring the B87 chiller plant to life by capturing the existing conditions within an 1/8-inch accuracy in only a few hours.
Other plant upgrades included the following installations:
- 400hp variable speed, vertical in-line chilled water pump and 2.4kV-480V step-down transformer
- Nine harmonic filters applied to variable frequency drives (VFDs)
- Active front-end VFD and associated 2.4kV-480V step-down transformer for an existing 700hp chilled water pump
Due to the emphasis on sustainability with this project, in total, 15 VFDs were added to the electrical distribution system.
C&S investigated the existing concrete deck and steel framed floor to assure the system had sufficient structural capacity to support the 117,000 pound chiller. C&S also designed significant conduit support system.
C&S was responsible for performing full construction administration as part of this project, including weekly construction conferences, on-site investigation and coordination with contractors, and RFI and submittal review.
