Centrifugal Chillers
Specification: Capacities up to 3,500+ Tons
Heavy central chiller plant maintenance, annual tube inspection, purge monitoring, and efficiency staging.
Engineering Scope & Overview
Plants with two or more chillers save immense energy by matching building loads to chiller capacity. We execute comprehensive preventive and predictive maintenance on Trane, Carrier, York, and Daikin centrifugal machines—optimizing chilled water supply temps, monitoring air purge run times, and inspecting evaporator/condenser tube bundles.
WMI Field Protocol & Certified Best Practices
- Annual tube inspection and rotary brush cleaning to eliminate mineral scale fouling
- Condenser water open loop weekly water treatment verification
- Chilled water closed loop monthly corrosion inhibitor monitoring
- Refrigerant leak detection via automated air-purge run timer tracking
Frequently Asked Questions
- How frequently should centrifugal chiller condenser tubes be brushed?
- Condenser tubes should be mechanically brushed at least once per year during annual winter maintenance. Just 0.001 inches of mineral scale increases compressor power demand by up to 11%.
- What does excessive air purge run time indicate on a low-pressure centrifugal chiller?
- On low-pressure chillers (e.g. R-123 or R-514A), high purge run time indicates atmospheric air and moisture are leaking into the vessel through gaskets or shaft seals, requiring immediate leak tracing.
- Can variable speed drives (VFDs) be added to existing constant-speed centrifugal chillers?
- Yes. Retrofitting a variable frequency drive onto a constant-speed centrifugal compressor allows lift reduction during mild wet-bulb ambient conditions, slashing electrical consumption by 30% or more.
Emergency Dispatch & RFP Inquiry
Contact Western Mechanical Inc. toll-free at (800) 585-5085 for commercial and industrial service across Southern California.