2-40 HP Portable Chillers Chapter 3: Installation 23 of 78
Refrigerant Charge Determination. The approximate amount of refrigerant charge required
by the system varies based on the total length of the refrigerant lines and the size of the
chiller. Referring to Figure 5, determine the amount of charge based on the horsepower of the
chiller and the amount of charge based on discharge and liquid line sizes and lengths. Add
these three numbers together to find the final operating charge. The final operating charge
must be verified by running the system and checking the liquid line sight glass.
Figure 5: Refrigerant Charge Determination
Chiller Condenser Charge Field Installed Piping Charge
Horsepower
Lbs. of
R-22
Pipe O.D.
Inches
Discharge Line
c R-22(Lbs.)
Liquid Line
c R-22(Lbs.)
5
5.9 1/2” - 7.2
7.5
6.1 5/8” - 11.5
10
10.8 7/8” 1.6 24.0
15
12.6 1 1/8” 2.7 40.9
20
21.2 1 3/8” 4.0 62.2
25
24.2 1 5/8’ 5.7 88.1
30
40.2 2 1/8” 10.0 153.0
35
41.2 2 5/8” 15.0 236.0
40
50.2
c Based on 100 feet of pipe, 100 ºF Liquid, 100 ºF Discharge
Oil Charge Determination. The remote air-cooled portable chillers are factory charged with
the amount of oil required without field-installed piping. Additional oil required is dependent
on the amount of additional refrigerant added.
Calculate the amount of additional oil required by using the following formula:
Pints of oil (Sunisco 3GS) = lbs. of R-22 added for field installed piping / 100.