The information contained within this guide represents the opinions and suggestions of Daikin Applied. Equipment, and the application of the equipment and system suggestions are offered by Daikin Applied as suggestions and guidelines only, and Daikin Applied does not assume responsibility for the performance of any system as a result of these suggestions.
Using This Guide This Guide covers R-22, R-407C, R-410A, and R-134a used in commercial air conditioning systems. It does not apply to industrial refrigeration and/or Variable RefrigerantVolume (VRV) systems. Illustrations and figures are not to scale.
Several HVAC systems require field refrigeration piping to be The information contained in this Application Guide is based designed and installed on-site. on Chapter 2 of ASHRAE’s Refrigeration Handbook and Daikin Applied’s experience with this type of equipment. A properly Examples include: designed and installed refrigerant piping system should: •...
Refrigerant Piping Design Check List The first step in refrigerant piping design is to gather product and jobsite information. A checklist for each is provided below. How this information is used will be explained throughout the rest of this guide. Product Information Jobsite Information •...
Typical Refrigerant Piping Layouts This section shows several typical refrigerant piping layouts for commercial air conditioning. They will be used throughout this guide to illustrate piping design requirements. Figure 2 shows a condensing unit mounted on grade connected to a DX coilinstalled in a roof-mounted air-handling unit. 1.
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Figure 3 shows a roof-mounted air-cooled chiller with a remote evaporator inside the building. 1. There are two refrigeration circuits, each with a liquid line supplying liquid refrigerant from the condenser to a TX valve adjacent to the evaporator, and a suction line returning refrigerant gas from the evaporator to the suction connections of the compressor.
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Figure 4 shows an indoor chiller with a remote air-cooled condenser on the roof. 1. The discharge gas line runs from the discharge side of the compressor to the inlet of the condenser. 2. The liquid line connects the outlet of the condenser to a TX valve at the evaporator.
For example, many documents refer to acceptable pressure drop being 2°F (1.1°C) or about 3 PSI (20.7 kPa) for R-22. The same 3 PSI change in R-410A, results in a 1.2°F (0.7°C) change in temperature. Table 1: Temperature versus Pressure Drop...
Possible accessories for this system include: • A hot gas bypass port. This is a specialty fitting that integrates with the distributor – an auxiliary side connector (ASC). • A pump down solenoid valve. If a pump down is utilized, the solenoid valve will be located just before the TX valve, as close to the evaporator as possible.
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Figure 7: Remote Evaporator Piping Detail Slope in direction of the refrigerant flow Inverted trap only required if there are evaporators upstream Trap to protect TX valve from liquid line Figure 8: Suction Piping Details Compressor Above Coil No inverted trap Compressor Above Coil required if properly sloped...
Figure 9: Capacity and Performances versus Pressure Drop Approx. Effect of Gas Line Pressure Drops on R-22 Compressor Capacity & Power – Suction Line Approx. Effect of Gas Line Pressure Drops on R-22 Compressor Capacity & Power – Suction Line...
Discharge Line Piping Details Discharge lines carry both refrigerant vapor and oil. Since Figure 10: Discharge Line Piping Details refrigerant may condense during the OFF cycle, the piping should be designed to avoid liquid refrigerant and oil from Slope in flowing back into the compressor.
Multiple Refrigeration Circuits For control and redundancy, many refrigeration systems Figure 11: DX Coils with Multiple Circuits include two or more refrigeration circuits. Each circuit must Refrigerant Refrigerant Refrigerant be kept separate and designed as if it were a single system. (In) (In) (In)
Sizing Refrigerant Lines Refrigerant Capacity Tables Appendix 2 (page 40) and Appendix 3 (page 59) provide refrigerant line sizes for commonly used refrigerants. There is data for suction, discharge, and liquid lines. Suction and discharge lines have data for 0.5, 1, and 2°F (0.28, 0.56, and 1.7°C) changes in saturated suction temperature (SST).
Equivalent Length for Refrigerant Lines Table 5 Table 6 on page 41 in Appendix 2 (page provide information for estimating equivalent lengths. The actual equivalent length is estimated by calculating the path length in feet (meters) that the piping will follow and adding the pressure drops of the fittings and/or accessories along that length.
TX Valve Liquid Line — Step 5 Using refrigerant property tables which can be found in Step 2 – Calculate Actual ∆T Appendix 2 of Daikin Applied’s Refrigerant Application Guide Saturated Pressure = Saturated Pressure – Total Pressure Drop Using Note #5 in the table, we can calculate the saturation (AG 31-007, see www.DaikinApplied.com) the saturated...
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How to Size Liquid Lines (continued) Step 7- Determine The Sub-cooling Required for Saturated Step 8- Determine the Required Sub-cooling for Proper Liquid at the TX Valve Operation The sub-cooling require to have saturated liquid at the TX 2.2°F is the amount of sub-cooling required to have saturated valve can be found by: liquid refrigerant at the TX valve.
Refrigerant Oil Suction Line Sizing In the DX refrigeration systems covered by this guide, some Suction lines contain gaseous refrigerant that moves oil along amount of compressor lubricating oil travels with the refrigerant the piping and back tothe compressor. Over-sizing suction throughout the piping system.
Oil Return in Suction and Discharge Risers Table 10 on page 45 through Table 18 on page 49 show Figure 14: Preferred Reduction Fittings for Risers minimum capacity oil return for suction and discharge risers. Install expander When unloading capability exists, risers should be checked in horizontal pipe to verify that the minimum capacity allows for acceptable oil return.
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Figure 15: Double Suction Riser Detail Figure 15 shows a double suction riser arrangement that is more common in refrigeration applications where suction Small diameter pipe pressure drops are more critical. Most modern air conditioning inverted trap not applications can be met without requiring a double suction required if pipe is properly sloped riser.
How to Size Suction Lines Single Pipe Suction Line Riser Size the suction line with a single pipe riser and determine the Step 3 – Calculate the Actual ∆T pressure drop for the following air-cooled chiller with remote Using Note #5 in the Table 8, calculate the saturation evaporator:...
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Actual Length Actual Capacity Table Length Table Capacity ∆T = ∆T Actual Table Table Length Table Capacity 64.0 ft 50.0 Tons ∆T = 2°F = 1.2°F 64.0 ft 50.0 Tons Actual 100.0 ft 51.5 Tons Suction Line — Step 4 ∆T = 2°F = 1.2°F...
How to Size a Suction Line Double Riser Double Pipe Suction Line Riser Size a double suction riser for the following air-cooled chiller Step 3 – Correct for Actual Operating Conditions with remote evaporator. Sizing the pipe for full load requires a correction for the 120°F The system: (48.9°C) actual condenser temperature.
Discharge line remote air-cooled condenser. inverted trap (can be replaced with a check valve) The system: • Uses R-22 • Has Type L copper pipe Discharge Discharge Line Line • Evaporator operates at 20°F (-6.7°C) Saturated Suction Temperature •...
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Discharge Line — Step 3 Actual Length Actual Capacity ∆T = ∆T Actual Table Table Length Table Capacity How to Size a Discharge Line (continued) 110.0 ft 250.0 Tons ∆T = 1°F = 0.86°F Actual 100.0 ft 287.0 Tons Step 4 – Calculate the Actual Pressure Drop Step 5 –...
Thermal Expansion Valves Expansion valves are used to modulate refrigerant flow to TX valves and distributors (common with air coils) should the evaporator. There are several types of expansion valves be installed in vertical pipes. If a TX valve with a distributor including: is installed in a horizontal pipe, there is a possibility that the liquid portion of the two-phase flow downstream of the TX...
Sight Glass Solenoid Valve Valve Discharge Suction Line Line Auxiliary side Filter- connector (ASC) Drier introduces hot gas Evaporator into distributor * Refer to Daikin IM 914 for Micro-channel condensers. www.DaikinApplied.com AG 31-011 • REFRIGERANT PIPING DESIGN...
Hot Gas Bypass Line Sizing Hot gas bypass valves must be sized for the difference between the minimum compressor capacity and the minimum system capacity. If the minimum system capacity is zero, then Hot gas piping should be sized using the discharge gas line the hot gas bypass valve should be sized for the minimum sizing tables found in Appendix 2 (page...
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Table 3: Hot Gas Bypass Valve Sizing Chart Direct Acting Discharge Bypass Valve Capacities (Tons) Capacities based on discharge temperatures 50°F above is entropic compression, 25°F superheat at the compressor, 10°F sub-cooling, and includes both the hot gas bypassed and liquid refrigerant for desuperheating, regardless of whether the liquid is fed through the system thermostatic expansion valves or an auxiliary desuperheating thermostatic expansion valve.
How to Size a Hot Gas Bypass Line Size the hot gas bypass line and valve for the following air Sizing the pipe for full load requires a correction for the 80°F conditioner with a fin tube condenser. (26.7°C) actual condenser temperature. Referring to the correction factors at the bottom of Table The system:...
An Discharge lines are generally uninsulated. They may be very example of this is the Daikin Applied RPS C-vintage Applied hot, in excess of 150°F (66°C), so insulation may be warranted Rooftop System.
Low Ambient Operation Refrigeration circuit components are sized for the most Fan Cycling and Fan Speed Control demanding application point. This is typically when the ambient temperature is high and the evaporator temperature Fan cycling and fan speed control are the most common is low.
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Figure 20: Typical Condenser Flood Back Arrangement Head Pressure Control Valve Condenser Coil Discharge Line Receiver Liquid Line www.DaikinApplied.com AG 31-011 • REFRIGERANT PIPING DESIGN...
Safety and the Environment Refrigeration systems contain fluids under pressure at dangerous temperatures and pressures. Proper safety procedures must be followed to provide a system that is acceptable. ASHRAE Standard 15, Safety Code for Mechanical Refrigeration and ASME Standard B31.5, Refrigeration Piping should be followed.
Appendix 1 — Glossary Accumulator (Suction): A device installed just before a Economizer (Refrigerant): A form of two stage refrigeration compressor in the suction line that is used to separate vapor cycle where the compressor has a port that allows refrigerant from liquid refrigerant and oil.
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Hot Gas Reheat: A method of reheating supply air after it Oil Separator: A vessel in a refrigeration circuit used to has been cooled by using a second coil down stream of the separate oil from refrigerant. They are usually in the discharge evaporator and passing discharge gas from the compressor line.
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Suction Line: A refrigerant line that carries low pressure refrigerant vapor from the evaporator to the compressor. Superheated Vapor: A vapor that has been heated beyond the saturation condition resulting in increased temperature and enthalpy. This is done to make sure the refrigerant in the suction line entering the compressor is truly a vapor.
Appendix 2 – Refrigerant Piping Tables (English Units) Table 4: Copper Tube Data Wall Working Pressure Diameter Surface Area Cross Section Weight Diameter ASTM B88 to 250°F Nominal Type Diameter Outside D, Inside D Outside Inside (ft²/ Metal Area Flow Area Annealed Drawn (inches)
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Table 5: Equivalent Length for Fittings (Feet) Smooth Elbows Smooth Bend Tee Connections Nominal Straight Through Flow 90° Long Tee Branch Diameter 90° Std 90° Street 45° Std 45° Street 180° Std Reduced Reduced Radius Flow Reduction 1-1/8 1-3/8 1-5/8 2-1/8 10.0 2-5/8...
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3. ∆t = corresponding change in saturation temperature, 0.902 1.078 °F per 100 ft 0.834 1.156 4. Line capacity for other saturation temperatures ∆t and R-22 Sizing — Notes equivalent lengths L 0.55 Table L Actual ∆t R-22 Sizing — Notes Line Capacity = Table Capacity ×...
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3. ∆t = corresponding change in saturation temperature, 0.889 1.096 °F per 100 ft 0.808 1.160 4. Line capacity for other saturation temperatures ∆t and R-22 Sizing — Notes equivalent lengths L 0.55 R-22 Sizing — Notes Table L Actual ∆t Line Capacity = Table Capacity ×...
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3. ∆t = corresponding change in saturation temperature, 0.896 1.109 °F per 100 ft 0.824 1.182 4. Line capacity for other saturation temperatures ∆t and R-22 Sizing — Notes equivalent lengths L 0.55 R-22 Sizing — Notes Table L Actual ∆t Line Capacity = Table Capacity ×...
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Table 19: R-22 Refrigerant Charge Table 21: R-410A Refrigerant Charge (Lbs . per 100 Feet of Pipe) (Lbs . per 100 feet of Pipe) Discharge Discharge Suction Line Liquid Line Suction Line Liquid Line Line Line Line Size OD Flow Area...
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Figure 21: R-22 Suction Gas Velocity Figure 21 is based on 40°F suction temperature and 105°F condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 23: R-22 Suction Gas Velocity Correction Factors Suction Temperature (°F) Cond Temp (°F) 1.63 1.48...
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Figure 22: R-134a Suction Gas Velocity Figure 22 is based on 40°F suction temperature and 105°F condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 24: R-134a Suction Gas Velocity Correction Factors Suction Temperature (°F) Cond Temp (°F) 1.76 1.56 1.40...
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Figure 23: R-410A Suction Gas Velocity Figure 23 is based on 40°F suction temperature and 105°F condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 25: R-410A Suction Gas Velocity Correction Factors Suction Temperature (°F) Cond Temp (°F) 1.60 1.45 1.31...
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Figure 24: R-407C Suction Gas Velocity Figure 24 is based on 40°F suction temperature and 105°F condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 26: R-407C Suction Gas Velocity Correction Factors Suction Temperature (°F) Cond Temp (°F) 1.78 1.49 1.35...
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Figure 25: R-22 Discharge Gas Velocity Figure 25 is based on 40°F suction temperature and 105°F condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 27: R-22 Discharge Gas Velocity Correction Factors Suction Temperature (°F) Cond Temp (°F) 1.20 1.23...
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Figure 26: R-134a Discharge Gas Velocity Figure 26 is based on 40°F suction temperature and 105°F condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 28: R-134a Suction Gas Velocity Correction Factors Suction Temperature (°F) Cond Temp (°F) 1.23 1.26 1.29...
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Figure 27: R-410A Discharge Gas Velocity Figure 27 is based on 40°F suction temperature and 105°F condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 29: R-410A Suction Gas Velocity Correction Factors Suction Temperature (°F) Cond Temp (°F) 1.13 1.17 1.20...
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Figure 28: R-407C Discharge Gas Velocity Figure 28 is based on 40°F suction temperature and 105°F condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 30: R-407C Suction Gas Velocity Correction Factors Suction Temperature (°F) Cond Temp (°F) 1.17 1.20 1.23...
Appendix 3 – Refrigerant Piping Tables (SI Units) Table 31: Copper Tube Data – SI Wall Surface Cross Diameter Weight Working Pressure ASTM B88 To 120°C Diameter Area Section Nominal Type Diameter Outside D, Insided Outside Inside Metal Area Flow Area Tube Annealed Drawn...
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Table 32: Equivalent Length for Fittings – SI Smooth Elbows Smooth Bend Tee Connections Nominal Straight Through Flow 90° Long Tee Branch Diameter 90° Std 90° Street 45° Std 45° Street 180° Std Reduced Reduced Radius Flow Reduction — — —...
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Table 46: R-22 Refrigerant Charge – SI Table 48: R-410A Refrigerant Charge – SI Kg per 30 .5 Meters of Pipe Kg per 30 .5 Meters of Pipe Suction Liquid Discharge Suction Liquid Discharge Line Line Line Line Line Line...
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Figure 29: R-22 Suction Gas Velocity – SI Figure 29 is based on 4.4°C suction temperature and 41°C condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 50: R-22 Suction Gas Velocity Correction Factors – SI Suction Temperature (°C) Condenser Temp (°C) -12 .2 -9 .4...
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Figure 30: R-134a Suction Gas Velocity – SI Figure 30 is based on 4.4°C suction temperature and 41°C condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 51: R-134a Suction Gas Velocity Correction Factors – SI Suction Temperature (°C) Condenser Temp (°C) -12 .2...
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Figure 31: R-410A Suction Gas Velocity – SI Figure 31 is based on 4.4°C suction temperature and 41°C condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 52: R-410A Suction Gas Velocity Correction Factors – SI Suction Temperature (°C) Condenser Temp (°C) -12 .2...
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Figure 32: R-407C Suction Gas Velocity – SI Figure 32 is based on 4.4°C suction temperature and 41°C condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 53: R-407C Suction Gas Velocity Correction Factors – SI Suction Temperature (°C) Condenser Temp (°C) -12 .2...
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Figure 33: R-22 Discharge Gas Velocity – SI Figure 33 is based on 28°C discharge temperature and 5°C condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 54: R-22 Discharge Gas Velocity Correction Factors – SI Suction Temperature (°C) Condenser Temp (°C) 65 .6 71 .2...
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Figure 34: R-134a Discharge Gas Velocity – SI Figure 34 is based on 28°C discharge temperature and 5°C condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 55: R-134a Discharge Gas Velocity Correction Factors – SI Suction Temperature (°C) Condenser Temp (°C) 65 .6...
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Figure 35: R-410A Discharge Gas Velocity – SI Figure 35 is based on 28°C discharge temperature and 5°C condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 56: R-410A Discharge Gas Velocity Correction Factors – SI Suction Temperature (°C) Condenser Temp (°C) 65 .6...
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Figure 36: R-407C Discharge Gas Velocity – SI Figure 36 is based on 28°C discharge temperature and 5°C condensing temperature. For other conditions, apply correction factors from Table Table 57: R-407C Discharge Gas Velocity Correction Factors – SI Suction Temperature (°C) Condenser Temp (°C) 65 .6...