What should be done first when starting up a centrifugal chiller's system?

Starting up a centrifugal chiller's system involves following a specific sequence of steps to ensure safe and efficient operation. The chilled water pump is the component that should be initiated first. This is because the chilled water pump is responsible for circulating the chilled water through the system, and without it operating, there will be insufficient flow to the evaporator. If the compressor and other components are started without adequate water flow, it can lead to overheating and potential damage to the system due to insufficient cooling.

By starting the chilled water pump first, the system ensures that the evaporator is supplied with the necessary flow before engaging the compressor, which relies on that flow to function correctly. Properly circulating the chilled water also helps in maintaining a balanced system pressure and temperature, ultimately leading to improved cooling efficiency.

The other steps in the start-up process, such as checking oil levels and starting the cooling tower, are also important but come after ensuring that the chilled water pump is operational.