A computer simulation model was developed to analyze the performance of a water-cooled centrifugal chiller. The model is based on a heat pump thermodynamic cycle and empirical correlations for the performance of the system components. The system simulated is composed of a variable-speed centrifugal compressor with a hot-gas bypass option for capacity control, two shell-and-tube heat exchangers, and an expansion device. The model was validated and calibrated against the experimental test results of a 125-ton chiller. The performance of a similar chiller system at various operating conditions and design modifications was analyzed. System performance comparisons were made between a baseline case, cases with high-performance heat exchanger tubes and compressor motor, and various variable-speed compressor operating strategies. It was found that significant performance improvement can be realized by using variable-speed drive and an on-demand control strategy.

Units: Dual