The Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute released a final report on a research project entitled, “Variable Primary Flow Chilled Water Systems: Potential Benefits and Application Issues,” to study the energy use and economic benefits of the primary flow chilled water systems.
The study results reported these systems reduced the total annual plant energy by 3% to 8%, initial cost by 4% to 8%, and life cycle cost by 3% to 5%, relative to conventional constant primary flow/variable secondary flow chilled water systems. The report said several factors influenced energy savings and economic benefits, including the number of chillers, climate, and chilled water temperature differential.