Análise comparativa da eficiência energética entre sistemas de climatização VRF e Chiller de água gelada

Abstract

This study presents a comparative analysis of the energy efficiency of two HVAC systems: the VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) system and the Water-Cooled Chiller system, both designed to meet the thermal load of a 375 TR commercial building. The methodology included computational modeling, thermodynamic calculations using the EES software, and the evaluation of performance indicators such as COP, EER, energy consumption, and operating costs. Results showed that the Chiller achieved a superior performance, with a COP of 5.42 and an annual energy consumption of approximately 2.13 GWh, compared to the VRF system with a COP of 3.50 and an annual consumption of about 3.30 GWh. This performance difference results in nearly 55% lower annual operating costs for the Chiller. Therefore, for large-scale applications, the Chiller system proves to be more advantageous from both an energy and economic perspective. On the other hand, the VRF system remains relevant in scenarios where modularity, ease of installation, and individual thermal zone control are key requirements.