Modular chiller system comprising interconnected flooded heat exchangers

A modular chiller unit for use with like modular chiller units in a bank of modular chiller units, the chiller unit comprising:

• a flooded shell-and-tube liquid evaporator comprising:
• first and second ends, wherein each of the first and second ends is connectable to the evaporator of an adjacent like modular chiller unit, so that when the modular chiller unit is connected in a bank of like modular chiller units, interconnected evaporators function as one continuous evaporator for the bank of chiller units;
• and
• a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet;
• a flooded shell-and-tube liquid condenser having first and second ends;
• first and second ends, wherein each of the first and second ends is connectable to a condenser in an adjacent like modular chiller unit, so that when the modular chiller unit is connected in a bank of like modular chiller units, interconnected condensers function as one continuous condenser for the bank of chiller units;
• and
• a refrigerant inlet and a refrigerant outlet;
• a refrigerant circuit comprising:
• a compressor;
• a thermal expansion valve;
• a suction line connecting the refrigerant outlet of the evaporator with the compressor;
• a discharge line connecting the compressor to the refrigerant inlet of the condenser;
• and
• a liquid line connecting the refrigerant outlet of the condenser to the expansion valve and the expansion valve to the refrigerant inlet of the evaporator;
• and
• a suction equalization line extending from the suction line of the refrigerant circuit and connectable to the suction line of the refrigerant circuit in an adjacent like modular chiller unit;
• a discharge equalization line extending from the discharge line of the refrigerant circuit and connectable to the discharge line of the refrigerant circuit in an adjacent like modular chiller unit;
• a liquid equalization line extending from the liquid line of the refrigerant circuit and connectable to the liquid line of the refrigerant circuit in an adjacent like modular chiller unit;
• whereby, when the modular chiller unit is connected in a bank of like modular chiller units, the interconnected suction, discharge, and equalization lines allow the compressor in an operating unit to circulate refrigerant in parallel through the evaporators and condensers of other non-operating chiller units in the bank of chiller units.