Online Estimation of the Parameters and Diagnosis of Faults in an Air-cooled Chiller using Synchronous Reluctance motor drive

Abstract

Air-cooled chiller technology is vital for reducing energy consumption and increasing energy demand. Operation of an air-cooled chiller in faulty condition is the main focus of this study as it tends to affect the overall plant efficiency and performance. In particular, condenser fouling of up to 20% is considered. Deploying online parameter estimation to identify the air-cooled chiller parameters in faulty and healthy is proposed. A variable speed Synchronous reluctance motor drive with an Air-cooled chiller plant model is studied. It is noteworthy that with 20% fouling the air-cooled chiller plant is 7% less efficient in comparison to non-faulty (healthy) operating conditions and condenser fault detection is a vital component in energy efficiency.