BSR/ASHRAE Standard 184P

Advisory Public Review Draft

Method of Test for

Field Performance of
Liquid-Chilling Systems

Second Advisory Public Review (August 2014)

(Draft Shows Complete Proposed New Standard)
This draft has been recommended for public review by the responsible project committee. To submit a comment on this proposed
standard, go to the ASHRAE website at www.ashrae.org/standards-research--technology/public-review-drafts and access the online
comment database. The draft is subject to modification until it is approved for publication by the Board of Directors and ANSI.

The appearance of any technical data or editorial material in this public review document does not constitute endorsement, warranty, or
guaranty by ASHRAE of any product, service, process, procedure, or design, and ASHRAE expressly disclaims such.

© 2014 ASHRAE. This draft is covered under ASHRAE copyright. Permission to reproduce or redistribute all or any part of this document
must be obtained from the ASHRAE Manager of Standards, 1791 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. Phone: 404-636-8400, Ext. 1125.
Fax: 404-321-5478. E-mail: standards.section@ashrae.org.

ASHRAE, 1791 Tullie Circle, NE, Atlanta GA 30329-2305

 ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Second Advisory Public Review Draft

1
2 CONTENTS
3
4 ASHRAE Standard 184
5 Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
6
7 SECTION PAGE
8
9 (Editorial Note: Table of Contents page numbers to be inserted in final document.)
10
11 Foreword
12 1 Purpose
13 2 Scope
14 3 Utilization of Standard
15 4 Definitions, Abbreviations, and Acronyms
16 5 Equipment Types
17 6 Calculations
18 7 Test Requirements
19 8 Test Procedures
20 9 Data to be Recorded
21 10 Reporting of Results
22 11 Symbols Used in Equations
23 12 Normative References
24 Informative Appendix A: References
25 Normative Appendix B: Measurement Points
26 Normative Appendix C: Calculation of Performance and Uncertainty of Results
27 Informative Appendix D: Instrumentation
28 Informative Appendix E: Additional Information for Measurement Points
29 Informative Appendix F: Pretest Checklist
30 Informative Appendix G: Tips & Tricks For Achieving Test Conditions

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 ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Second Advisory Public Review Draft

31 (This foreword is not part of this standard. It is merely informative and does not contain requirements necessary for
32 conformance to the standard. It has not been processed according to the ANSI requirements for a standard and may
33 contain material that has not been subject to public review or a consensus process. Unresolved objectors on informative
34 material are not offered the right to appeal at ASHRAE or ANSI.)
35
36 FOREWORD
37
38 (Editorial Note: Foreword to be drafted.)
39
40 1. PURPOSE
41
42 The purpose of this standard is to prescribe methods of field performance testing for liquid-chilling systems.
43
44 2. SCOPE
45
46 2.1 This standard includes the following types of liquid-chilling systems. These system types are further described in
47 Section 5, “Equipment Types.”
48 2.1.1 Vapor compression cycle.
49 2.1.2 Absorption cycle.
50 2.2 This standard does not include systems with a net refrigeration capacity less than 10 Tons [35 kW].
51 2.3 This standard does not include a specification of standardized test conditions under which the liquid-chilling system
52 must operate. Test conditions typically reflect the expected operating conditions and are customer specified.
53
54 3. UTILIZATION OF STANDARD
55
56 (Editorial Note: The final document will define procedures & methods to establish desired test uncertainty levels in
57 advance of the test. Once these values are established, there will be instructions to utilize the uncertainty calculator
58 spreadsheet tool to establish needed efforts to take place with instrument selection, installation, etc., to meet the desired
59 uncertainty. The final test values may be impacted by various site influences which are accounted for in the calculator
60 tool. A fully functional version of this tool will be included in the final document. )
61
62 The standard is intended for use to measure performance of liquid-chilling systems, which may be newly installed
63 equipment or existing systems in any state of operation. The standard is intended to prescribe the testing process given
64 existing site conditions. The standard shall also be used to determine and minimize the resultant level of measurement
65 uncertainty. The standard can also be used by designers of new installations to minimize measurement uncertainty during
66 field performance testing.
67
68 4. DEFINITIONS, ABBREVIATIONS, AND ACRONYMS
69
70 4.1 General. Certain terms, abbreviations, and acronyms are defined in this section for the purposes of this standard.
71 These definitions are applicable to all sections of this standard. Terms that are not defined shall have their
72 ordinarily accepted meanings within the context in which they are used. Ordinarily accepted meanings shall be
73 based upon definitions in the current edition of ASHRAEwiki (http://wiki.ashrae.org/). If not defined in
74 ASHRAEwiki, then ordinarily accepted meanings shall be based upon American Standard English language
75 usage as documented in an unabridged dictionary accepted by the adopting authority.
76 (Editorial Note: in the final document, will check that all defined terms are used in the standard, and remove any
77 that are not actually used.)
78
79 auxiliary power: (See power.)
80
81 Btu: British thermal unit. The quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree
82 Fahrenheit at a specified temperature. For the purposes of this standard, use the International Table definition.

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83 1 BtuIT = 1055.056 J
84
85
86 bubble-point: (See temperature.)
87
88 capacity: a measurable physical quantity, the rate that heat (energy) is added to or removed from the liquid side of a
89 refrigerating system. Capacity is defined as the mass flow rate of the liquid multiplied by the difference in enthalpy of
90 liquid entering and leaving the heat exchanger. For the purposes of this standard, the enthalpy change is approximated as
91 the sensible heat transfer using specific heat and temperature difference, and in some calculations, also the energy
92 associated with liquid-side pressure losses.
93
94 gross heating capacity: the capacity of the water-cooled condenser as measured by the total heat transferred from
95 the refrigerant to the liquid in the condenser. This value includes both the sensible heat transfer and the friction heat
96 losses from pressure drop effects of the liquid flow through the condenser. This value is used to calculate the energy
97 balance of a test.
98
99 gross refrigerating capacity: the capacity of the evaporator as measured by the total heat transferred from the
100 liquid to the refrigerant in the evaporator. This value includes both the sensible heat transfer and the friction heat
101 losses from pressure drop effects of the liquid flow through the evaporator. This value is used to calculate the energy
102 balance of a test.
103
104 net heating capacity: the capacity of the condenser available for useful heating of the thermal load, external to the
105 liquid chilling system, calculated using only the sensible heat transfer.
106
107 net refrigerating capacity: the capacity of the evaporator available for useful cooling of the thermal load, external
108 to the liquid chilling system, calculated using only the sensible heat transfer.
109
110 compressor saturated discharge temperature: for single component and azeotropic refrigerants, it is the saturated
111 temperature corresponding to the refrigerant pressure at the compressor discharge. For zeotropic refrigerants, it is the
112 arithmetic average of the dew-point and bubble-point temperatures corresponding to refrigerant pressure at the compressor
113 discharge. Where a discharge valve is used, such as a service stop valve or a check valve, the pressure is taken at or
114 immediately downstream of the valve (in either case on the downstream side of the valve seat).
115
116 condenser: a refrigerating system component which condenses refrigerant from vapor state to liquid state by the removal
117 of heat. De-superheating and sub-cooling of the refrigerant may occur as well.
118
119 air-cooled condenser: a condenser, including condenser fans, that condenses refrigerant vapor by rejecting heat to
120 air mechanically circulated over its heat transfer surface, causing a temperature rise in the air.
121
122 evaporatively-cooled condenser: a condenser which condenses refrigerant vapor by rejecting heat to a water and
123 air mixture mechanically circulated over its heat transfer surface, causing evaporation of the water and an increase
124 in the enthalpy of the air.
125
126 water-cooled condenser: a condenser that condenses refrigerant vapor by rejecting heat to liquid mechanically
127 circulated over its heat transfer surface, causing a temperature rise in the liquid.
128
129 water-cooled heat reclaim condenser: a water-cooled condenser that may be either a separate parallel condenser
130 in a refrigerating system using two or more condensers or a portion of a water-cooled condenser with two or more
131 liquid circuits, with the purpose of heat recovery.
132
133 dew-point: (See temperature.)
134

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135 efficiency: performance at specified operating conditions, expressed as the ratio of the capacity output and the total power
136 input of a process or a machine. Depending on the specific efficiency metric, the numerator and denominator may be
137 switched, and the units of measure may be dimensionless or not. All efficiency metrics shall be stated in conjunction with
138 a complete set of operating conditions.
139
140 energy efficiency: any one of several metrics calculated as a ratio of two quantities, (1) thermal energy movement
141 expressed as a rate, and (2) required energy input to move that thermal energy. The numerator and denominator
142 may be switched depending on the specific metric, and the units of measure may be dimensionless or not.
143
144 cooling efficiency: a ratio of net refrigerating capacity and the total power input. The ratio may be inverted
145 depending on the selected units of measure.
146
147 COPR: coefficient of performance, the cooling efficiency expressed as a dimensionless ratio of net
148 refrigerating capacity divided by the total power input.
149
150 EER: energy efficiency ratio, the cooling efficiency expressed as a ratio of net refrigerating capacity divided
151 by the total power input. EER shall use the following units of measure: Btu/h for net refrigerating capacity
152 and W for total input power.
153
154 kW/TonR: power input per unit capacity, the cooling efficiency expressed as a ratio of the total power input
155 divided by the net refrigerating capacity. kW/TonR shall use the following units of measure: kW for total
156 input power and TonR for net refrigerating capacity.
157
158 heating efficiency: a ratio of net heating capacity and the total power input.
159
160 COPH: coefficient of performance, the heating efficiency expressed as a dimensionless ratio of net heating
161 capacity divided by the total power input.
162
163 COPHR: coefficient of performance, the heating efficiency expressed as a dimensionless ratio of the sum of
164 net heating capacity of a water-cooled heat reclaim condenser plus the net refrigerating capacity of an
165 evaporator, divided by the total power input.
166
167 energy: an indirectly observed quantity with the ability for doing work on a physical system. It takes a number of forms
168 that may be transformed from one into another, such as thermal (heat), mechanical (work), electrical, and chemical.
169 Customary measurement units are British thermal units (Btu) and joules (J).
170
171 energy balance: a dimensionless ratio metric used to check for gross errors in measurement instrumentation and test
172 results for units with a water-cooled condenser (with or without water-cooled heat reclaim condenser), defined as the
173 difference between energy inputs and energy outputs to the liquid-chilling package, normalized to a percentage by dividing
174 by the average of the total input energy and the total output energy. For this standard, the energy inputs are generally
175 limited to the gross refrigerating capacity and the power input, though other auxiliary power inputs are included when
176 analysis demonstrates significance to the energy balance.
177
178 evaporator: a refrigerating system component which boils refrigerant from liquid state to vapor state by the addition of
179 heat. Superheating of the refrigerant may occur as well. For the purposes of this standard, the heat is exchanged from a
180 liquid as opposed to air, and in this context, an evaporator may also be called a cooler.
181
182 fouling factor: the thermal resistance due to fouling accumulated on the heat transfer surface.
183
184 fouling factor allowance: provision for anticipated fouling during use specified in h·ft²·°F/Btu [m²·°C/W].
185
186 heat reclaim (or heat recovery): use of heat that would otherwise be wasted from a system or process.
187
188 liquid: the fluid being cooled in the evaporator (cooler) or heated in the condenser, as distinguished from refrigerant in
189 the liquid state, such as water or glycol mixture or other heat transfer fluid.
190

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191 liquid-chilling system: a machine specifically designed to make use of a refrigeration cycle to remove heat from a liquid
192 and reject the heat to a cooling medium, usually air or water. For the purposes of this standard, the system may be packaged
193 (factory-made and prefabricated assembly) or field-erected. The refrigerant condenser may or may not be an integral part
194 of a packaged liquid-chilling system.
195
196 may: used where a provision is permissible but not mandatory.
197
198 modular chiller package: a modular chiller is a package that is made up of multiple liquid-chilling systems that can
199 function individually or as a single unit.
200 Part-Load Value (PLV): a single number figure of merit expressing part-load efficiency for equipment on the basis of
201 weighted operation at various partial load capacities for the equipment.
202
203 Integrated Part-Load Value (IPLV): a single number part-load efficiency figure of merit calculated at Standard
204 Rating Conditions per the method described in AHRI Standard 550/590 or AHRI Standard 551/591.
205
206 Non Standard Part-Load Value (NPLV): a single number part-load efficiency figure of merit referenced to
207 conditions other than IPLV conditions, calculated per the method described in AHRI Standard 550/590 or AHRI
208 Standard 551/591.
209
210 Percent Load (%Load): the part-load capacity divided by the full-load rated net capacity at the full-load rating conditions.
211
212 power: the rate at which energy is transferred, used, or transformed. Customary measurement units are British thermal
213 units per hour (Btu/h) and joules per second (J/s), also known as a watt (W).
214
215 auxiliary power: power input to devices that are not integral to the operation of the vapor compression cycle,
216 excluding power input to integrated pumps (if present) used for liquid in either the evaporator or the condenser.
217 Including devices such as, but not limited to, oil pumps, refrigerant pumps, control power, fans, and heaters.
218
219 power input: a term used to refer to the power input to any of the following:
220  the mechanical power input to the shaft of open compressors; or
221  the electrical power input at the motor terminals for hermetic compressors, semi-hermetic compressors,
222 or motor-compressors; or
223  the electrical power at the input terminals for starter, motor-controller, or variable speed drive; or
224  the thermal power input to either a direct or indirect fired absorption liquid-chilling system.
225
226 total power input: the sum of power input and auxiliary power to all components of a liquid-chilling system.
227
228 published ratings: a statement of the assigned values of those performance characteristics, under stated rating conditions,
229 by which a unit may be chosen to fit its application. These values apply to all units of like nominal size and type
230 (identification) produced by the same manufacturer. The term “published rating” includes the rating of all performance
231 characteristics shown on the unit or published in specifications, advertising, or other literature controlled by the
232 manufacturer, at stated rating conditions.
233
234 application rating: a rating based on tests performed at application rating conditions (other than standard rating
235 conditions).
236
237 standard rating: a rating based on tests performed at standard rating conditions.
238
239 rating conditions: any set of operating conditions under which a single level of performance results and which causes
240 only that level of performance to occur.
241
242 standard rating conditions: rating conditions used as the basis of comparison for performance characteristics.
243
244 refrigerating system:

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Advisory Public Review Draft

245 1. A combination of interconnected parts forming a closed circuit in which refrigerant is circulated for the
246 purpose of extracting, then rejecting, heat.
247
248 2. A system that, in operation between a heat source (evaporator) and a heat sink (condenser) at two
249 different temperatures, absorbs heat from the heat source at the lower temperature and rejects heat to the
250 heat sink at the higher temperature.
251
252 shall: used where a provision is mandatory for compliance with this standard.
253
254 should: used to indicate a provision that is not mandatory but is recommended as good practice.
255
256 steady state: a state or condition of a system or process that does not change in time, or a condition that changes only
257 negligibly over a specified time within the limits defined in this standard.
258
259 temperature: measurement of warmth or coldness with respect to an arbitrary zero or to the absolute zero. Temperatures
260 are indicated on defined scales, such as Kelvin and Rankine for absolute temperatures, and Celsius and Fahrenheit for
261 ordinary temperatures.
262
263 bubble-point temperature: a liquid-vapor equilibrium point for a volatile pure liquid or for a multi-component
264 mixture of miscible, volatile pure component liquids, in the absence of noncondensables, where the temperature of
265 the mixture at a defined pressure is the minimum temperature required for a vapor bubble to form in the liquid.
266
267 dew-point temperature: a liquid-vapor equilibrium point for a volatile pure liquid or for a multi-component mixture
268 of miscible, volatile pure component liquids, in the absence of noncondensables, where the temperature of the
269 mixture at a defined pressure is the maximum temperature required for a liquid drop to form in the vapor.
270
271 saturation temperature:
272 1. The temperature where a substance changes between its liquid and its vapor phase. If the pressure in a
273 system remains constant, a vapor at saturation temperature will begin to condense into its liquid phase
274 as thermal energy is removed, and conversely, a liquid at saturation temperature will begin to evaporate
275 as thermal energy is applied.
276
277 2. The equilibrium temperature of a pure refrigerant or an azeotropic refrigerant in a two-phase mixture of
278 a vapor and liquid at a given absolute pressure.
279
280 temperature of flowing liquid: the mixed mean stream temperature at a station perpendicular to the liquid flow
281 direction.
282
283 test agency: [definition to be determined. test agency, or test agent, or test director?]
284
285 test condition tolerance: the maximum permissible variation between the time averaged measurement data observations
286 and the specified (target) test conditions.
287
288 test operating tolerance: an interval including the maximum permissible variation of any observation during a defined
289 testing time period, with a specified sampling rate for measurements (see total observed range).
290
291 ton (of refrigeration): time rate of cooling equal to 12,000 Btu/h (approximately 3.51685 kW). It is a quantity
292 approximately equal to the latent heat of fusion or melting of 1 ton of ice [907.2 kg (2000 lbm)], from and at 0°C (32°F).
293
294 total heat rejection: heat rejected through the condenser, including any heat utilized for heat recovery.
295
296 total observed range: a metric used in conjunction with a test operating tolerance, equal to the difference between the
297 maximum and minimum observations during a defined test time period, with a specified sampling rate for measurements.
298
299

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Advisory Public Review Draft

300 5. EQUIPMENT TYPES

301
302 5.1 This standard covers the following equipment types:
303
304 5.1.1 Vapor Compression Cycle
305
306  Driver types: electric motor, steam turbine, combustion engine.

Heat Rejection
Liquid Evaporatively Air
Cooled Cooled Cooled
Cooling   
Operating Mode

Heating  N/A 

Heat Reclaim  N/A N/A

Cooling &
 N/A N/A
Heating
307 N/A = Not Applicable (excluded from the scope of the standard)
308
309 5.1.2 Absorption Cycle
310
311  Heat input types: steam, gas, hot water

Heat Rejection
Liquid
Cooled
Operating

Cooling 
Mode

Cooling &

Heating
312
313 6. CALCULATIONS
314
315 The calculations below outline the methods for calculating capacity, efficiency, and energy balance for a range of measured
316 values. Each calculation is accompanied by an uncertainty calculation as well. Section 11 defines the symbols, subscripts,
317 and terminology for each calculation.
318
319 [Editorial Note: the uncertainty nomenclature in this section will be revised to follow the conventions of ASME PTC 19.1
320 Test Uncertainty.
321
322 Example using a measurement value “X” which could be a temperature or a flow rate or a power measurement. The
323 total combined uncertainty “UX” will be calculated from the random “SX” and systematic “BX” sources in “X”.
324 “Total uncertainty” will use capital letters (U, S, B), while “standard uncertainty” expressed as a standard deviation
325 uses lower case letters (u, s, b).
326 UX = 2·uX for 95% confidence in reported uncertainty
327 uX = ( sX ²+ bX ²)½
328 Where sX is the random standard uncertainty, bX is the systematic standard uncertainty.
329
330 Example using a calculation result “R” which could be capacity or efficiency or energy balance. The expanded
331 uncertainty “UR” will be calculated from the combined standard uncertainty uR, which is calculated from the random

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Advisory Public Review Draft

332 “sR” and systematic “bR” standard uncertainties of the calculated result. The standard uncertainties include a
333 sensitivity coefficient θ, which captures the partial derivative effects seen in the equations as presented below.
334 UR = 2·uR for 95% confidence in reported uncertainty
335 uR = ( sR ²+ bR ²)½
336 Where sR is the random standard uncertainty, bR is the systematic standard uncertainty. Both of these are
337 calculated as a sum of the product for measurement uncertainty times a sensitivity coefficient θ for each
338 measurement value.
339 end of Editorial Note]
340
341 6.1 Capacity Calculations
342 [Editorial Note: the proposed standard follows the conventions of AHRI Standard 550/590-2011 to distinguish between
343 the gross and net capacity. Gross capacity captures all of the heat exchanged and is used for energy balance calculations.
344 The net capacity corresponds to the net “useful” heat that is exchanged, excludes the “non-useful” heat exchanged due
345 to frictional piping losses, and is used for efficiency calculations.
346
347 6.1.1 Gross Capacity from liquid mass flow rate, inlet and outlet liquid enthalpy.
348 = (ℎ −ℎ )

349 = (ℎ −ℎ ) + +
350
351 6.1.2 Gross Capacity given liquid mass flow rate, inlet and outlet temperatures, pressure loss, density, and specific
352 heat.
∆
353 = ( − )+
⁄
∆
( − )+ + ( − ) +
354 =
∆
+ + ∆ +
355
356 6.1.3 Gross Capacity given liquid volume flow rate, inlet and outlet temperatures, pressure loss, density, and
357 specific heat.
358 = ( − )+ ∆
⁄
( − )+∆ + ( − ) + ( − ) +
359 =
+ + + ∆
360
361 6.1.4 Net Capacity given liquid mass flow rate, inlet and outlet temperatures, and specific heat.
362 = ( − )
/
363 = ( − ) + ( − ) + +
364
365 6.1.5 Net Capacity given volume flow rate, inlet and outlet temperatures, density, and specific heat.
366 = ( − )

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/
( − ) +
( − ) +
367 =
( − ) +
+
368
369 6.2 Power Input Calculations
370
371 6.2.1 Thermal power input for a given fluid consumption rate and higher heating value.
372 = ∗
/
373 = ( ∗ ) +
374
375 6.2.2 Total power input
376 = +

⁄ ⁄

377 = +

378 6.3 Efficiency Calculations

379 6.3.1 The capacity value used for calculating efficiency varies according to operating mode, such as cooling
380 ( ), or heating capacity ( ), or heat reclaim ( + ), but in all cases, shall be the net
381 capacity.

382 6.3.2 =
/

383 = +

384 6.3.3 Other efficiency metrics are derived as variations on the ratio of capacity and input work, or its inverse, and
385 may be used according to the definitions in Section 4.
386
387 6.4 Energy Balance Calculations
388
389 6.4.1 An energy balance shall be calculated per the following procedure. Thermal inputs and outputs shall use
390 gross capacity for energy balance.
391
392 6.4.2 Input energy sources

393 =
/

394 =

395

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396 6.4.3 Output energy sources

397 =
/

398 =

399
400 6.4.4 Energy Balance

− −
401 = × 100% = 2 × 100%
, +
/
4 4
402 = +
+ +
403
404

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Advisory Public Review Draft

405 7. TEST REQUIREMENTS

406
407 7.1 A pretest meeting shall be held to reach agreement on target chiller operating conditions, allowable test condition
408 tolerance (variation from the target), expected and allowable total measurement uncertainty, and methods for
409 validating performance against manufacturer data.
410 7.2 Chiller shall be tested in the as-is condition with respect to tube fouling. Additional fouling factor allowance shall
411 not be provided. A sample pretest checklist is shown in Informative Appendix F.

412 (Editorial Note: does this section adequately address issues related to tube fouling?)

413 7.2.1 Fouling Correction shall not be applied during any field performance testing. All evaporators and condensers
414 utilizing any heat transfer fluid with known properties may be tested with the tubes in an “as is” condition.
415 7.2.2 The “as is” target condition rating shall apply the default design fouling factors for all heat exchangers in
416 accordance with the manufacturer’s original equipment design parameters.
417 7.2.3 Heat exchangers can become fouled within a short period of operation, so the tubes may be cleaned
418 immediately prior to conducting the tests, which may affect results.
419 7.2.4 The cleaning methods shall be agreed upon by all relevant parties. Cleaning by brush only does not constitute
420 an un-fouled tube condition.
421 7.2.5 Visual examination by relevant parties after the cleaning may be conducted to obtain consensus that the tube
422 conditions are acceptable for conducting the performance test.
423
424 7.3 All systems utilizing liquids other than water shall be tested to determine the concentration by weight of the
425 alternative liquid. This shall be used for determination of the physical properties of the liquid.
426
427 7.4 The total test time duration shall be 15 minutes or more. The number of test points collected shall be 30 or more.
428 Each test point shall be either a single measurement, or a time-averaged value of multiple measurements where the
429 maximum time scale for averaging shall not exceed 1/60 of the total test time duration. Follow procedures in Section
430 8 if system conditions or instabilities prevent maintaining steady state conditions.
431
432 7.5 The test is valid only if meeting the following requirements for energy balance.

433 7.5.1 Liquid-Cooled Liquid Chilling Systems.

434
435 The absolute value of the energy balance shall be within the following tolerance limit, based on the
436 uncertainty calculation of the energy balance.
437
438 ≤ + ∆? (Editorial note: need to decide what value to use for ∆)
439
440 Test readings with energy balance values outside this limit shall not be considered valid, and the test
441 conditions or measuring instruments should be evaluated to bring the energy balance within tolerance.
442
443 7.5.2 Air-Cooled Liquid Chilling Systems.
444
445 The energy balance shall not be calculated due to difficulty and cost to measure air-side total heat rejection
446 with acceptable measurement uncertainty. In lieu of an energy balance, redundant measurements (two or
447 more measurement instruments instead of one) shall be taken for each of the following parameters. The

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Advisory Public Review Draft

448 measurements are acceptable if the redundant values are within the comparison limits shown below. If
449 acceptable, the redundant values shall be averaged, and the average value used for all calculations.
450
Maximum Difference
Measurement Point
Between Redundant Values
chilled liquid temperature inlet 0.11K (0.20°F)
chilled liquid temperature outlet 0.11K (0.20°F)
chilled liquid flow rate 2% of the average redundant value
total power input 2% of the average redundant value
451
452 8. TEST PROCEDURES
453
454 8.1 Preparation
455
456 8.1.1 Prior to the test, or ideally for new installation during the chilled water plant design, there shall be a pre-test
457 meeting between the testing agency and the customer/owner to determine the test instrument measurement
458 locations and requirements per the instrumentation requirements portion (Appendix D) of this standard. The
459 resulting agreements shall be implemented prior to commissioning. The purpose of this discussion is to
460 agree on the expected level of uncertainty that will be achievable during the test to ensure this is
461 acceptable to all parties.

462 8.1.2 There shall be discussion between the testing agency and customer/owner to formulate a test plan. This test
463 plan shall include, but not be limited to, the operating parameters required, the timing requirements, limits of
464 stability, communication protocol, modes of plant control and how they are applied, authority for plant
465 control and command, and determination of test readiness and completion. (Discussion of target test
466 conditions)

467 8.1.3 All plant support systems shall be operated to validate proper operation before starting the test.

468 8.1.4 All plant systems shall be verified to be capable of operating at the agreed upon target test conditions and
469 their function validated before starting the test.

470 8.1.5 All test site controls shall be reviewed for stability capability to estimate the impact of instability on meeting
471 the target uncertainty.

472 8.1.6 The system shall be started, adjusted, and operated for a sufficient amount of time per the manufacturer
473 recommendations and in accordance with the operating limits portions of this standard prior to conducting
474 the test.

475 8.1.7 Chiller equipment shall be verified to ensure proper operation before testing.

476 8.1.8 All chilled water plant and other test site controls shall be verified to ensure proper operation.

477 8.2 Conduct the test according to the instrumentation (types and locations), conditions, time duration, and sampling
478 methodology agreed-to during the pre-test meeting.
479 8.3 Shaft Power Measurement Procedure (when applicable)
480
481 8.3.1 Where turbine or engine drives are employed, compressor shaft horsepower input can be determined from
482 steam, gas, or oil consumption, at measured supply and exhaust conditions and prime mover manufacturers
483 certified performance data.
484 8.3.2 Shaft horsepower may be determined with the measurement of shaft torque and RPM. The application of this
485 method requires the use of surface strain gauge or angular displacement torquemeter technology. The testing
486 agency shall discuss this option with the customer/owner.
487
488 (Editorial note: are any other specific test procedures required?)
489
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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

490 9. DATA TO BE RECORDED [SPANSWICK – Review what is still relevant; some info is now intended to be in one of
491 the appendices]
492
493 9.1 Table x lists the data to be recorded.
494
495 9.2 Refer to Normative Appendix B for schematics of each system type and the physical location of measurement
496 instruments.
497
498

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Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

DIAGNOSTIC
TYPE OF INSTALLATION CHILLER
ITEM AID or DESCRIPTION
MEASUREMENT REQUIREMENTS TYPE
MANDATORY

The thermal wells shall

have a bore to accept
the testing agency's
temperature device and
extend to the center of
the pipes. The wells shall
be installed in a vertical
orientation to enable
filling with a liquid heat
conducting material. The
Evaporator
leaving well shall be
Temperature Mandatory inlet/outlet liquid ALL
installed as far
temperature
downstream prior to any
influences as is
reasonably possible from
the exit nozzle and in a
convenient location on
the entering piping as
close to the inlet nozzle
as possible to assure
good fluid mixture at the
point of measurement.
The thermal wells shall
have a bore to accept
the testing agency's
temperature device and
extend to the center of
the pipes. The wells shall
be installed in a vertical
orientation to enable
filling with a liquid heat
Condenser conducting material. The
inlet/outlet liquid leaving well shall be
Temperature Mandatory ALL
temperature installed as far
wells downstream prior to any
influences as is
reasonably possible from
the exit nozzle and in a
convenient location on
the entering piping as
close to the inlet nozzle
as possible to assure
good fluid mixture at the
point of measurement.
The thermal well shall
have a bore to accept
the testing agency's
temperature device and
extend to the center of
the pipes. The wells shall
be installed in a vertical
orientation to enable
filling with a liquid heat
Condenser conducting material. VAPOR
Temperature Diagnostic Aid liquid refrigerant Limits of the piping COMPRE
temperature well arrangements may make SSION
it necessary to install the
temperature device on
the external pipe wall
and insulate the probe.
Since this measurement
is reference only, this will
not directly affect the
accuracy of the
performance data.

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Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

The thermal well shall

have a bore to accept
the testing agency's
temperature device and
extend to the center of
the pipes. The wells shall
be installed in a vertical
orientation to enable
filling with a liquid heat
Compressor conducting material. VAPOR
Temperature Diagnostic Aid Suction Limits of the piping COMPRE
temperature well arrangements may make SSION
it necessary to install the
temperature device on
the external pipe wall
and insulate the probe.
Since this measurement
is reference only, this will
not directly affect the
accuracy of the
performance data.
The thermal well shall
have a bore to accept
the testing agency's
temperature device and
extend to the center of
the pipes. The wells shall
be installed in a vertical
orientation to enable
filling with a liquid heat
Compressor conducting material. VAPOR
Temperature Diagnostic Aid Discharge Limits of the piping COMPRE
temperature well arrangements may make SSION
it necessary to install the
temperature device on
the external pipe wall
and insulate the probe.
Since this measurement
is reference only, this will
not directly affect the
accuracy of the
performance data.

The thermal well shall

have a bore to accept
the testing agency's Steam
temperature device and Turbine
extend to the center of Drive,
Temperature Mandatory Steam Supply
the pipes. The wells shall Steam
be installed in a vertical fired
orientation to enable Absorption
filling with a liquid heat
conducting material.

The thermal well shall

have a bore to accept
the testing agency's Steam
temperature device and Turbine
extend to the center of Drive,
Temperature Mandatory Condensate
the pipes. The wells shall Steam
be installed in a vertical fired
orientation to enable Absorption
filling with a liquid heat
conducting material.

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Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

The thermal well shall

have a bore to accept
the testing agency's
temperature device and
Hot Liquid
Hot Liquid extend to the center of
Temperature Mandatory Fired
Supply the pipes. The wells shall
Absorption
be installed in a vertical
orientation to enable
filling with a liquid heat
conducting material.

The thermal well shall

have a bore to accept
the testing agency's
temperature device and
Hot Liquid
Hot Liquid extend to the center of
Temperature Mandatory Fired
Leaving the pipes. The wells shall
Absorption
be installed in a vertical
orientation to enable
filling with a liquid heat
conducting material.

The temperature sensing

location shall be located
Exhaust
Exhaust Gas so that a reliable
Temperature Mandatory Gas Fired
Entering average of the exhaust
Absorption
gas temperature can be
measured.

The temperature sensing

location shall be located
so that a reliable
average of the exhaust
Exhaust
Exhaust Gas gas temperature can be
Temperature Mandatory Gas Fired
Leaving measured. This location
Absorption
shall be of a fitting type
to accept the testing
agency device with no
gas leakage.

The temperature sensing

device shall be located in
reasonable proximity to
Temperature Mandatory Ambient Air the cooler and shall be ALL
free of influences from
air moving devices,
conditioning units, etc.

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Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

The evaporator shell

shall have a valve block
or manifold with industry
standard connection type
(either flare or NPT) on
Evaporator
the top of the shell to
Pressure Diagnostic Aid Pressure ALL
allow the connection of
connection valve
the pressure transducer
to shell so as not to
interrupt operation of the
chiller to facilitate the
test set up.
The condenser shell
shall have a valve block
or manifold with industry
standard connection type
(either flare or NPT) on
Condenser VAPOR
the top of the shell to
Pressure Diagnostic Aid Pressure COMPRE
allow the connection of
connection valve SSION
the pressure transducer
to shell so as not to
interrupt operation of the
chiller to facilitate the
test set up.
There shall be a valved
connection at the inlet
and outlet nozzles of the
shell water boxes. These
connections shall be
Evaporator
NPT or other industry
Water Box
standard connection
Differential
Pressure Mandatory type. They shall be ALL
Pressure
located as close as
connection
possible to the
valves
inlet/outlet flanges of the
water box to ensure
minimal Delta-P
influence from system
losses.
There shall be a valved
connection at the inlet
and outlet nozzles of the
shell water boxes. These
connections shall be
Condenser
NPT or other industry
Water Box
standard connection
Differential
Pressure Mandatory type. They shall be ALL
Pressure
located as close as
connection
possible to the
valves
inlet/outlet flanges of the
water box to ensure
minimal Delta-P
influence from system
losses.

There shall be a
connection point at the Steam
inlet to the governor or Turbine,
Pressure Mandatory Inlet Steam regulating valve. This Steam
connection shall have a Fired
valved "pigtail" Absorption
connection.

There shall be a
connection point at the
outlet flange of the
Steam
Pressure Mandatory Steam Exhaust turbine prior to the
Turbine
Surface condenser. This
connection shall have a
valved connection.

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Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

Natural
There shall be a
Gas
connection point at the
engines,
Natural Gas inlet to the regulating
Pressure Mandatory Natural
Supply valve. This connection
Gas Direct
shall have a valved
fired
connection.
Absorption

The pressure sensing

device shall be located in
reasonable proximity to
Pressure Mandatory Barometric the cooler and shall be ALL
free of influences from
air moving devices,
conditioning units, etc.

The flow meters shall be

of the type required to
comply with all
applicable ASHRAE/ARI
Standards. Refer to
Section 9.4 in the SPC-
184 MOT for Field
Performance Testing for
further guidance on
selection flow
measurement devices.
Design and calibration
data shall be made
available to the testing
agency to allow input to
the testing agency's
Field Data Acquisition
Evaporator flow
Flow Mandatory System. These devices ALL
meter
shall be installed in
accordance with all
manufacturer
requirements. The
upstream length can be
shortened with the use of
a flow straightening
bundle if applied in
accordance with all
applicable standards.
Pipe diameter is defined
as the diameter of the
pipe where flow meter is
installed and the pipe in
which the flow is to be
measured. Both shall be
the same diameter.

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Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

The flow meters shall be

of the type required to
comply with all
applicable ASHRAE/ARI
Standards. Refer to
Section 9.4 in the SPC-
184 MOT for Field
Performance Testing for
further guidance on
selection flow
measurement devices.
Design and calibration
data shall be made
available to the testing
agency to allow input to
the testing agency's
Field Data Acquisition
Condenser flow
Flow Mandatory System. These devices ALL
meter
shall be installed in
accordance with all
manufacturer
requirements. The
upstream length can be
shortened with the use of
a flow straightening
bundle if applied in
accordance with all
applicable standards.
Pipe diameter is defined
as the diameter of the
pipe where flow meter is
installed and the pipe in
which the flow is to be
measured. Both shall be
the same diameter.
The flow meter shall be
of the type required to
comply with all
applicable ASHRAE/ARI
Standards. Refer to
Section 9.4 in the SPC-
184 MOT for Field
Performance Testing for
further guidance on
selection flow
measurement devices.
Design and calibration
data shall be made
available to the testing
agency to allow input to
the testing agency's Steam
Field Data Acquisition Turbine,
Steam
Flow Mandatory System. These devices Steam
Condensate
shall be installed in Fired
accordance with all Absorption
manufacturer
requirements. The
upstream length can be
shortened with the use of
a flow straightening
bundle if applied in
accordance with all
applicable standards.
Pipe diameter is defined
as the diameter of the
pipe where flow meter is
installed and the pipe in
which the flow is to be
measured. Both shall be
the same diameter.

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Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

The flow meters shall be

of the type required to
comply with all
applicable local safety
codes and ASHRAE/ARI
Standards. Refer to
Section 9.4 in the SPC-
184 MOT for Field
Performance Testing for
further guidance on
selection flow
measurement devices.
Design and calibration
data shall be made
available to the testing
Natural
agency to allow input to
Gas
the testing agency's
engines,
Field Data Acquisition
Flow Mandatory Natural Gas Natural
System. These devices
Gas Direct
shall be installed in
fired
accordance with all
Absorption
manufacturer
requirements. The
upstream length can be
shortened with the use of
a flow straightening
bundle if applied in
accordance with all
applicable standards.
Pipe diameter is defined
as the diameter of the
pipe where flow meter is
installed and the pipe in
which the flow is to be
measured. Both shall be
the same diameter.
The flow meters shall be
of the type required to
comply with all
applicable local safety
codes and ASHRAE/ARI
Standards. Refer to
Section 9.4 in the SPC-
184 MOT for Field
Performance Testing for
further guidance on
selection flow
measurement devices.
Design and calibration
data shall be made
available to the testing
agency to allow input to
Engine
the testing agency's
Drives,
Field Data Acquisition
Flow Mandatory Fuel Oil Fuel Oil
System. These devices
Direct fired
shall be installed in
Absorption
accordance with all
manufacturer
requirements. The
upstream length can be
shortened with the use of
a flow straightening
bundle if applied in
accordance with all
applicable standards.
Pipe diameter is defined
as the diameter of the
pipe where flow meter is
installed and the pipe in
which the flow is to be
measured. Both shall be
the same diameter.

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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

Power analyzer, with or

ELECTRIC
Power Mandatory Motor Starter without Potential and
DRIVE
Current Transformers.

A method of establishing
Shaft Power for shaft power shall be Turbine or
Power Mandatory Non-Electric used in accordance with Engine
Drives Section 9.5 of this Drive
standard.

499

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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

500 10. REPORTING OF RESULTS

501 (Editorial Note: A supporting spreadsheet will be utilized for calculations of test results and test uncertainty. This spreadsheet
502 will have cells identified as input for the raw measurement data. When all required inputs are satisfied, the embedded equations
503 will generate the calculations and report both intermediate calculations and the final results. The equations used in the
504 spreadsheet are provided in the standard. Users of the standard can choose to use the spreadsheet, or recreate their own
505 calculations in other software or spreadsheets for their own purposes, provided that it meets all requirements of the standard.)
506
507 10.1 Upon completion of the testing and data collection, performance calculations shall be performed in accordance with
508 Section 6 and Normative Appendix C.

509 10.2 A formal report shall be written and distributed by the testing agent in a timely fashion in accordance with agreed
510 test protocols.

511 10.3 The report shall contain data from all of the measurement points prescribed in Normative Appendix B of this
512 standard dependent on the type of system tested.

513 10.4 The report shall present the average values of the measurement point data. All raw data used for the averaging shall
514 be made available upon request.

515 10.5 For each set of test data, the report shall present the energy balance calculation and comparison to the tolerance
516 limit using the energy balance uncertainty.

517 10.5.1 Exception: for air-cooled chillers, the comparison of redundant measurements shall be presented in lieu of
518 an energy balance.

519 10.6 The report shall include the calculated net capacity and efficiency of the system at the test conditions and the
520 associated uncertainty interval.
521
522 11. SYMBOLS USED IN EQUATIONS
523 (Editorial Note: This table is incomplete; will be updated to match all symbols and variables used in the standard. The
524 uncertainty nomenclature in this section will be expanded and will follow the conventions of ASME PTC 19.1 Test Uncertainty.)
525
Units of Measure
Symbol Description
SI IP
coefficient of performance, according to operating mode:
COPR: coefficient of performance, the cooling efficiency expressed as a
dimensionless ratio of net refrigerating capacity divided by the total
power input
COPH: coefficient of performance, the heating efficiency expressed as a
- - dimensionless ratio of net heating capacity divided by the total power
input
COPHR: coefficient of performance, the heating efficiency expressed as
a dimensionless ratio of the sum of net heating capacity of a water-
cooled heat reclaim condenser plus the net refrigerating capacity of an
evaporator, divided by the total power input
kJ/kg · K Btu/lbm · °F
specific heat of liquid at the average of entering and leaving heat exchanger
liquid temperatures
% % energy balance (refer to Section 4 for complete description)
kW TonR
total input energy, the summation of individual input energy source values
using consistent units
individual input energy source value; for chillers, these individual sources
are
kW TonR
(gross cooling capacity) and (electrical power or thermal
power input to the compressor motor(s)); using consistent units

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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

Units of Measure
Symbol Description
SI IP
kW TonR
total output energy, the summation of individual output energy source
values using consistent units
individual output energy source value; for chillers, these individual sources
kW TonR are (gross heating capacity) and (gross heat reclaim capacity);
using consistent units
kJ/m³ Btu/ft³ higher heating value of a fuel
ℎ kJ/kg Btu/lbm liquid enthalpy at the inlet of the heat exchanger
ℎ kJ/kg Btu/lbm liquid enthalpy at the outlet of the heat exchanger
kg/s lbm/h liquid mass flow rate
∆ kPa lbf/in2 or psi liquid-side pressure drop
density of liquid at the average of the entering and leaving heat exchanger
liquid temperatures
kW Btu/h
gross capacity, heating or cooling, used for the determination of energy
balance only
kW Btu/h net capacity, heating or cooling
kW Btu/h cooling capacity, gross or net
kW Btu/h heating capacity, gross or net
kW Btu/h heat reclaim capacity, gross or net
°C °F liquid temperature at the inlet of the heat exchanger
°C °F liquid temperature at the outlet of the heat exchanger
kJ/kg · K Btu/lbm · °F uncertainty in the measured value of specific heat
°C °F uncertainty in the measured value of inlet liquid temperature
°C °F uncertainty in the measured value of outlet liquid temperature
∆ kPa lbf/in2 or psi uncertainty in the measured value of liquid-side pressure drop
kg/m3 lbm/ft3 uncertainty in the measured value of liquid density
gal/min uncertainty in the measured value of volume flow rate
m3/s
or gpm
uncertainty in the calculated value of capacity
uncertainty in the measured value of mass flow rate of fluid
uncertainty in the value of the inlet refrigerant enthalpy
uncertainty in the value of the outlet refrigerant enthalpy
uncertainty in the calculated value the coefficient of performance
uncertainty in the measured value of the total power input
uncertainty in the calculated value of total input energy
uncertainty in the measured value of individual input energy
uncertainty in the calculated value of total output energy
uncertainty in the measured value of individual output energy
uncertainty in the calculated value of energy balance
uncertainty associated with the value of higher heating value
gal/min
m3/s volume flow rate of liquid
or gpm
total power input to the liquid-chilling system – the summation of the
kW kW
individual power inputs
kW kW individual power input to the liquid-chilling system
kW kW individual auxiliary power input to the liquid-chilling system
526
527
528 12. NORMATIVE REFERENCES
529

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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

530 [insert numbered list here that matches superscript numbering of references throughout the standard; numbering to be added
531 later]
532 [examples:
533 1. ASME Power Test Code (PTC) 19.1-2005, Test Uncertainty
534 2. ASHRAE Standard 41.1-1986 (RA2006), Standard Method for Temperature Measurement.
535 3. ASME Power Test Code (PTC) 19.5-2004, Flow Measurement.
536 4. Not a normative reference. See Appendix A.

537
538

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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

539 INFORMATIVE APPENDIX A

540 REFERENCES
541
542
543 [insert numbered list here that matches superscript numbering of references throughout the standard, but are not required for
544 compliance with the standard]
545 [examples:
546 1. Not an informative reference.
547 2. Not an informative reference.
548 3. Not an informative reference.
549 4. NIST Thermodynamic Properties of Refrigerants and Refrigerant Mixtures Database, NIST Standard Reference,
550 REFPROP 9.1, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.

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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

551
552 NORMATIVE APPENDIX B
553 MEASUREMENT POINTS
554
555 Location of Measurement Points for each System Type – diagrams of each system type, need to add captions to each figure

TE

PDT

TE

TE

PDT

TE

556
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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

TE

TYP. 2PLACES
PDT
TE

PT

TE

TYP. 2PLACES
PDT

TE

TE

6 PIPE DIAMETER (MIN.)

PDT
TE

557

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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

TE

PDT
TE

PT

PT
TE
TE

TE
TE

PDT
TE

558

29
 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

TE TE

PDT PDT

TE TE

559

30
 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

TE

TE

PT
TE
TE

PDT

TE

PDT
TE

TE

560

31
 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

TE
PT
TE

TE

TE

PDT

TE

PDT
TE TYP. 2PLACES

TE

561

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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

562 NORMATIVE APPENDIX C

563 CALCULATION OF PERFORMANCE AND UNCERTAINTY OF RESULTS
564
565 (To follow)
566
567 [Plan to provide spreadsheet as companion document to the standard.]
568
569
570
571

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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

572 INFORMATIVE APPENDIX D

573 INSTRUMENTATION
574
575 Basic instrumentation types and accuracy considerations.
576 (Editorial Note: Appendix D is not intended to mandate accuracies of test equipment but indicates the appropriate
577 reference documents that cover specific kinds of test equipment. The target test plan would define the acceptable
578 uncertainty of the test result, and through the uncertainty calculations would define the acceptable instrumentation
579 accuracies.)
580 (Editorial Note: Instruments chosen shall be either the installed plant devices, or when not available or where desired,
581 specific test only instruments are supplied and installed. The test specific instruments should be sourced and installed by
582 an agreed party (typically, but not necessarily the Test Agent). In any case, the type and accuracy of all instruments used
583 for the purpose of the Performance Verification shall be confirmed by way of conducting a pretest uncertainty analysis
584 to ensure the chosen instruments, in aggregate, provide a mutually acceptable level of uncertainty.)
585
586 1 Instruments and Measurement Techniques
587 1.1 Instruments
588 1.1.1 It is recommended that selection of instruments for testing be made from types listed in the references below.
589 1.1.2 The references below discuss the range of possible accuracy of different test instrument types.
590 1.1.3 Predetermined installation effects could impact the desired uncertainty of the measurements (targeted test
591 conditions); therefore, it is recommended to understand the accuracy of each instrument used for test
592 purposes.
593 1.1.4 The ASHRAE Handbook-Fundamentals5, “Measurement and Instruments,” presents considerable
594 information on available instruments and their accuracy and use. The following references are additional data
595 covering specific instruments to use, required accuracy, and measurement techniques.
596
597 1.2 Temperature Measurements
598 1.2.1 Instruments and measurement techniques for air, water, and refrigerant, see ANSI/ASHRAE 41.1
599
600 1.3 Pressure Measurements
601 1.3.1 Instruments, see ANSI/ASHRAE 41.3
602 1.3.2 Measurement techniques – general, see ANSI/ASHRAE 41.7
603
604 1.4 Flow Measurements
605 1.4.1 All Natural Gas flowmeters shall be the customer/owner responsibility. Local codes and gas utility
606 requirements should be consulted.
607 1.4.1.1 Measurement techniques – nozzle or orifice, see ANSI/ASHRAE 41.8
608 1.4.1.2 Measurement techniques – Electromagnetic, see ANSI/ASME MFC-16M
609 1.4.1.3 Measurement techniques – Ultrasonic / Transit Time, see ANSI/ASME MFC-5M
610 1.4.1.4 Measurement uncertainty for fluid flow in closed conduits, see ANSI/ASME MFC-2M
611 1.4.1.5 Volatile refrigerant, see ANSI/ASHRAE 41.9
612 1.4.2 Instruments and accuracy, see ANSI/ASHRAE 41.9
613 1.4.3 Measurement techniques, see ANSI/ASHRAE 41.9
614
615 1.5 Shaft power measurements
616 1.5.1 Measurement techniques, see ANSI/ASME PTC 19.7
617
618 1.6 Electrical measurements
619 1.6.1 Instruments, see IEEE 120.
620 1.6.2 Measurement techniques, see IEEE 120.
621 1.7 Rotative velocity measurements
622 Measurement techniques, see ???
623 1.8 Exhaust gas measurements
624 Measurement techniques, see ANSI/ASME PTC.10
625

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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

626
627 INFORMATIVE APPENDIX E
628 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR MEASUREMENT POINTS
629
630 Informative Appendix E provides optional instrumentation for testing diagnostics, above and beyond the basic
631 requirements of the standard to measure capacity and efficiency. These items typically include refrigerant side
632 measurements of pressure and temperature and associated calculations to determine superheat or subcooling.
633
634 (Editorial Note: The final document may include a list of optional diagnostic parameters to be indicated by equipment
635 type, which will follow the same equipment types as seen in the Normative Appendix B section of this document. The use
636 of the diagnostic parameters may be used at the discretion of the parties involved in the testing and are not required.
637 These descriptions shall include verbiage to define the preferred locations for each parameter. All parameters referred
638 to in this section will be included on the schematics of Normative Appendix B section and will be identified as indicated
639 in the legend to be included in that section.)
640
641 (Editorial Note: plan to show these additional items on the schematics in Appendix B, but “grayed out” with a disclaimer
642 note that they are optional and not a requirement of the standard)
643
644
645 Recommended diagnostic instrumentation & measurements:
646
Item Location
Evaporator pressure
Condenser pressure
Suction Superheat
Discharge Superheat
Liquid Line Subcooling
Compressor Speed (variable speed chillers only) Variable or Adjustable Speed Drive
647
648

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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

649 INFORMATIVE APPENDIX F

650 PRETEST CHECKLIST
651
652 Complete these recommended actions before testing commences.
Responsible Party User Testing Agent
Recommended Pre/Post Test Actions
(Who?) Sign Date Sign Date
Conduct pre test walkthrough of the test site, or remotely conduct a review using drawings, pictures &
other documents, to determine the suitable instrument locations for test measurements that will meet
test result uncertainty expectations.
If chiller is air-cooled, confirm that suitable instrument locations are available for redundant
instrumentation
Chiller installed and system can support testing
Chiller performance has been optimized, such as adjusting the package to meet the manufacturer
name plate/sales order data.
Per prior agreement between the parties involved, confirm that tubes are either (1) cleaned prior to
testing within a prescribed & agreed upon time period, or (2) left in the "as-found" condition.
All air cooled condenser coils have been cleaned immediately prior to testing. Unless there is prior
agreement that no cleaning is required.
Check for presence of non-condensable gases in each refrigerant circuit.
Evaporator / condenser water pumps operate at flow(s) expected for the test(s). Condenser flow not
applicable for air-cooled chiller.
Heat rejection fans (cooling tower, condenser) operate as designed.
Confirm energy source can supply power needed to run the test without stress and that electrical
supply is within manufacturer specification (voltage, frequency, phase angle) or fuel / energy source is
within manufacturer specification.
Chiller has previously achieved the conditions expected during the test and the heat load and heat
rejection function adequately and can maintain stability.
All support equipment for conducting the test are available (Data Acquisition System, power,
connecting cables, area protection, etc).
Local safety requirements/procedures in place.
All relevant documentation (test procedure, equipment specification, drawings, etc) available.
Confirm that all test instruments have been installed correctly, are reading correctly (Example,
flowmeter value = 0 flowrate with no flow present), and that all instrument calibration records have
been issued
For water pressure drop across heat exchangers, the “zero” measurement shall be recorded and shall
be near zero, within the agreed upon tolerance of the full scale value of the calibration range of the
measurement system.
All operating conditions, measurement and installed instrument uncertainty have been identified and
agreed to.
Identify and agree each test instrument accuracy to be used in the performance test
Derive the Pretest Uncertainty Calculation and agree that the minimum level of uncertainty is
acceptable (noting that fluctuations in the recorded test data will increase the level of uncertainty)
Identify and agree on the allowable test condition tolerance (variation from the target), based on the
pre-test uncertainty analysis
If applicable, identify and agree on the methods for validating performance against manufacturer data
or other baseline test data
Test schedule and sequence of testing have been identified and agreed
Identify roles and responsibilities necessary while conducting the test
Confirm that the personnel collecting manual data are trained and ready to collect data
Confirm any permanently installed system data logging (building data collection, chiller data history,
etc) if used, is running
Confirm any temporary Data Acquisition System data logging is running and time clock agrees with any
permanent data logging employed (above)
653 Complete and sign this Pre-Test Checklist

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 Proposed ASHRAE Standard 184P, Method of Test for Field Performance of Liquid-Chilling Systems
Advisory Public Review Draft

654 INFORMATIVE APPENDIX G

655 TIPS & TRICKS FOR ACHIEVING TEST CONDITIONS
656
657 (Editorial Note: need to revise and reformat to group the recommendations according to the type of chiller tested, some
658 items apply to all types, some items are specific to one type of chiller; need to add introductory paragraph that these
659 methods require sound engineering judgment and consideration of secondary or unintended system effects)
660
661 Stability and Control Actions for Achieving Test Conditions
662
663 G1. All items discussed in this section are informative only and may differ between sites. These items are intended as
664 suggestions only and are completely dependent on site installed devices and controls.
665 G2. Because of control dead-bands and device limitations, it may be necessary to operate control devices in manual/hand for
666 the duration of the test. Typical controls may not adhere to the test tolerance and stability limits as set forth.
667 G3. The use of Variable Speed Drives (VSD’s) should be employed whenever possible. These devices make control of the
668 variables much more stable and easier to manipulate.
669 G4. When beginning the test and bringing the test chiller to test conditions, it is always desirable to fully load the evaporator
670 to the required test value first and then raise the condenser liquid entering temperature. This prevents unwanted surge/stall
671 events if the test chiller is started or operated at a head condition that is too high for the compressor operating point.
672 G5. When testing a multiple chiller site, it is recommended to have the design evaporator load at a minimum. It is desirable
673 to have the test load available plus 50% or more of additional load. This additional load will allow for shedding of load
674 to a second chiller by manipulation of the second LCHWT set-point. This manipulation will allow for control of the
675 ECHWT to the test chiller by controlling the chilled liquid loop return temperature.
676 G6. For sites that may not have adequate evaporator load, re-heat coils or their equivalent may be needed to impart a heat load
677 on the return chilled liquid.
678 G7. For those sites where re-heat coils are not an option and full test load may not be available to the test chiller evaporator,
679 it may be necessary to increase the chilled liquid flow to compensate. When doing this, care must be taken not to exceed
680 the manufacturer’s recommended maximum flow rate.
681 G8. When utilizing a second chiller to maintain the evaporator load conditions, care must be taken so that the second chiller
682 does not operate in a surge. This can be caused when the two chillers share a common condenser cooling supply from the
683 cooling tower basin. This can occur when the second chiller is operating in a part load condition and cannot make the
684 compressor lift required to overcome the condensing pressure caused by the ECWT requirement of the test chiller. When
685 possible, the second chiller should be selected for operation based on the site ability to independently control ECWT for
686 multiple chiller operation.
687 G9. For chiller condenser cooling systems that do not have tower fan VSD’s and tower or chiller condenser cooling bypass
688 valves, it may be necessary to operate with the ECWT at some stable point lower than design and adjust the CW flow
689 lower to operate at an equivalent design condensing pressure.
690 G10. For those parameters that require the adjustment of flows to off design, care must always be taken not to exceed the
691 manufacturer’s minimum/maximum flow recommendations.
692 G11. Flows should be adjusted by any means that does not impact the sites load demands or capabilities. This is especially true
693 for sites that use either or both of the loops for any process. Many times, this can result in undue site hardships and delays
694 in the testing process.

695
696

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