Ice water preparation chiller and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides an ice water preparation chiller and a control method thereof, belonging to the field of refrigeration technology, wherein the ice water preparation chiller comprises: an ice water main unit, comprising an ice water main unit; an ice water circulation buffer unit, comprising a water tank, the water tank having a containing chamber, the containing chamber having a controllably movable partition, the partition dividing the containing chamber into a water supply chamber and a water return chamber, the water supply chamber and the water return chamber are controllably connected to the inlet of the ice water main unit through a first pumping water pipeline having a first water pump, respectively, the water supply chamber and the water return chamber are controllably connected to the outlet of the ice water main unit through the first return water pipeline; an ice water terminal device, which is connected to the water supply chamber through a second pumping water pipeline having a second water pump, and is controllably connected to the return water chamber through a second return water pipeline. The volumes of the water supply chamber and the water return chamber of the present invention can be adaptively adjusted according to the high and low load conditions of the chiller, so that the chiller can prepare ice water efficiently and stably under various conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of refrigeration, and in particular relates to an ice water preparation chiller and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] In the dairy industry, ice water below 2°C is usually required to meet the needs of specific processes, and the requirements for process ice water are generally high, requiring both precise temperature and continuous and stable water supply. Using a chiller system to prepare process ice water is a major water supply method, but if during the production process, due to large changes in terminal load or other reasons, the temperature of the ice water prepared by the chiller fluctuates or the water supply is unstable, it will affect the production quality and even cause shutdowns and production accidents.

[0003] At present, the chiller system for preparing process ice water solves this problem by setting up a large water tank on the water supply side and the return water side. When the prepared process ice water is unqualified, it is directly discharged to the water tank on the return water side. When the prepared ice water is qualified, it is discharged to the water tank on the water supply side and sent to the end of the water use by a water pump. The return water temperature at the end is higher, and it is first sent back to the water tank on the return water side, and then pumped back to the main unit to complete a cycle. This method not only requires the use of two large water tanks for buffering, but also has low cooling efficiency. Summary of the invention

[0004] Therefore, the present invention provides an ice water preparation chiller and a control method thereof, which can solve the technical problems in the prior art that independent water tanks are respectively provided on the water supply side and the return side of the ice water preparation chiller for buffering, the total volume is large and the space requirement is large, the volume of the separately designed water supply side water tank and the return side water tank cannot change according to the load of the unit, and the large water volume leads to low refrigeration efficiency.

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an ice water preparation chiller, comprising:

[0006] The chilled water host unit comprises a chilled water host;

[0007] The ice water circulation buffer unit comprises a water tank, the water tank has a receiving chamber, the receiving chamber has a controllably movable partition, the partition divides the receiving chamber into a water supply chamber and a water return chamber, the water supply chamber and the water return chamber are controllably connected to the inlet of the ice water main unit through a first pumping pipeline with a first water pump, and the water supply chamber and the water return chamber are controllably connected to the outlet of the ice water main unit through a first water return pipeline;

[0008] The ice water terminal equipment is connected with the water supply chamber through a second water pump pipeline having a second water pump, and is controllably connected with the water return chamber through a second water return pipeline.

[0009] In some embodiments,

[0010] The partition is connected to a telescopic control mechanism, and the telescopic control mechanism includes a telescopic hinge or a telescopic rod.

[0011] In some embodiments,

[0012] The first water outlet of the water supply chamber is connected to the first water pump pipeline through the fourth solenoid valve, the second water outlet of the water supply chamber is connected to the inlet of the second water pump, the first water return port of the water supply chamber is connected to the first water return pipeline through the first solenoid valve, the third water outlet of the water return chamber is connected to the first water pump pipeline through the fifth solenoid valve, the second water return port of the water return chamber is connected to the second water return pipeline through the third solenoid valve and to the first water return pipeline through the second solenoid valve, wherein the inlet of the second solenoid valve is connected to the inlet of the first solenoid valve, and the outlet of the second solenoid valve is connected to the inlet of the third solenoid valve.

[0013] The present invention also provides a control method for an ice water preparation chiller, which is used to control the ice water preparation chiller, comprising the following steps:

[0014] When the unit is running and the second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve are closed and the first solenoid valve is opened, the ice water return temperature Tbh of the second return water pipeline is obtained;

[0015] According to the relationship between the ice water return temperature Tbh and the preset return temperature Ts, the unit is controlled to operate in a low load control mode or a high load control mode.

[0016] In some embodiments,

[0017] When Tbh≥Ts, the unit operates in a high-load control mode. In the high-load control mode, the chiller is controlled to operate in a high-efficiency range, and the opening of the third solenoid valve is increased, and the frequency of the second water pump is increased;

[0018] The real-time water level H2 in the water return chamber and the real-time water level H1 in the water supply chamber are obtained, and when H2-H1>H3, the partition is controlled to move toward the side close to the water supply chamber, wherein H3 is a preset liquid level difference.

[0019] In some embodiments,

[0020] After the partition moves to the maximum distance toward the side close to the water supply chamber, the chiller main unit is controlled to increase the frequency to the maximum load operation.

[0021] In some embodiments,

[0022] When the chiller is running at maximum load, the magnitude relationship between H2 and H5 is detected, wherein H5 is the lowest water level in the water tank.

[0023] In some embodiments,

[0024] When Tbh<Ts, the unit operates in a low-load control mode. In the low-load control mode, the chiller is controlled to operate in a high-efficiency range, and the opening of the third solenoid valve is reduced, and the frequency of the second water pump is reduced;

[0025] The real-time water level H1 in the water supply chamber and the real-time water level H2 in the water return chamber are obtained, and when H1-H2>H3, the partition is controlled to move toward the side close to the water return chamber, wherein H3 is a preset liquid level difference.

[0026] In some embodiments,

[0027] After the partition moves to a maximum distance toward the side close to the water return chamber, the chiller main unit is controlled to shut down.

[0028] In some embodiments,

[0029] During the shutdown of the chiller, the magnitude relationship between H2 and H5 is detected, wherein H5 is the lowest water level in the water tank.

[0030] In some embodiments,

[0031] When the unit is started, obtain the unit shutdown time t;

[0032] When t>T, the unit is controlled to run in a quick start control mode, in which the fourth solenoid valve is controlled to be opened and the fifth solenoid valve is controlled to be closed;

[0033] When the real-time water temperature Th of the first water return pipeline is lower than the preset qualified temperature Ty, the second solenoid valve is controlled to be closed, and the first solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve are opened;

[0034] When the real-time water temperature Th of the first water return pipeline is not lower than the preset qualified temperature Ty, the second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve are controlled to open, and the first solenoid valve is closed, wherein T is a preset time length; or,

[0035] When t≤T, the unit is controlled to run in a normal startup control mode, in which the fourth solenoid valve is controlled to be closed and the fifth solenoid valve is controlled to be opened;

[0036] When the real-time water temperature Th of the first water return pipeline is lower than the preset qualified temperature Ty, the second solenoid valve is controlled to be closed, and the first solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve are opened;

[0037] When the real-time water temperature Th of the first water return pipeline is not lower than the preset qualified temperature Ty, the second solenoid valve and the third solenoid valve are controlled to open, and the first solenoid valve is closed, wherein T is a preset time length.

[0038] The present invention provides an ice water preparation chiller and a control method thereof. A movable partition is provided in a water tank so that the volumes of a water supply chamber and a return water chamber formed in the water tank can be adaptively adjusted according to the high and low load conditions of the chiller, so that the chiller can prepare ice water efficiently and stably under various working conditions. In addition, since the water supply chamber and the ice water main unit are controllably connected through a first pump water pipeline, after the unit is shut down for a long time, the water in the water supply chamber can be controlled to directly enter the ice water main unit for heat exchange and cooling, so that cooling water of a qualified temperature can be formed more quickly, and there is no need to cool the water in the large volume of the return water chamber, thereby greatly shortening the time from startup to stable provision of qualified ice water. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the principle of a chiller for preparing ice water according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Another structural schematic diagram of the water tank in FIG.

[0041] Figure 3 The present invention is a flowchart of a method for controlling a chiller for preparing ice water according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] The reference numerals are as follows:

[0043] 1. Cooling tower; 2. Third water pump; 3. Chilled water main unit; 4. First water pump; 5. Chilled water terminal equipment; 6. Second water pump; 7. Water tank; 8. Partition; 9. Telescopic hinge; 10. Water supply chamber; 11. Return water chamber; 21. Telescopic rod; 101. First solenoid valve; 102. Second solenoid valve; 103. Third solenoid valve; 104. Fourth solenoid valve; 105. Fifth solenoid valve; 201. First water temperature sensor; 202. Second water temperature sensor; 203. First water level sensor; 204. Second water level sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] See also Figures 1 to 3As shown, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an ice water preparation chiller, comprising: an ice water main unit, comprising an ice water main unit 3; an ice water circulation buffer unit, comprising a water tank 7, the water tank 7 having a containing chamber, the containing chamber having a controllably movable partition 8, the partition 8 dividing the containing chamber into a water supply chamber 10 and a water return chamber 11, the water supply chamber 10 and the water return chamber 11 are controllably connected to the inlet of the ice water main unit 3 through a first pumping water pipeline having a first water pump 4, respectively, and the water supply chamber 10 and the water return chamber 11 are controllably connected to the outlet of the ice water main unit 3 through the first return water pipeline, respectively; an ice water terminal device 5, which is connected to the water supply chamber 10 through a second pumping water pipeline having a second water pump 6, and is controllably connected to the water return chamber 11 through a second return water pipeline.

[0045] In this technical solution, a movable partition 8 is provided in the water tank 7 so that the volumes of the water supply chamber 10 and the return water chamber 11 formed in the water tank 7 can be adaptively adjusted according to the high and low load conditions of the chiller, so that the chiller can prepare ice water efficiently and stably under various working conditions; in addition, since the water supply chamber 10 is controllably connected to the ice water main unit 3 through the first pump water pipeline, after the unit is shut down for a long time, the water in the water supply chamber 10 can be controlled to directly enter the ice water main unit 3 for heat exchange and cooling, so that cooling water of a qualified temperature can be formed more quickly, and there is no need to cool the water in the large volume of the return water chamber 11, thereby greatly shortening the time from startup to stable provision of qualified ice water.

[0046] In some embodiments, the partition 8 is connected to a telescopic control mechanism, and the telescopic control mechanism includes a telescopic hinge 9 (such as Figure 1 ) or telescopic rod 21 (as shown in Figure 2 As shown in ). It can be understood that necessary sealing should be performed between the partition 8 and the cavity wall of the accommodating cavity. For example, a strip-shaped sealing bag is provided between the bottom wall and the two vertical walls of the partition 8 and the cavity wall of the accommodating cavity. The sealing bag is filled with a material with good elasticity and easy deformation, such as foamed polyurethane, in a sealed envelope.

[0047] See also Figure 1 As shown, in a specific embodiment, the first water outlet of the water supply chamber 10 is connected to the first water pump pipeline through the fourth solenoid valve 104, the second water outlet of the water supply chamber 10 is connected to the inlet of the second water pump 6, the first water return port of the water supply chamber 10 is connected to the first water return pipeline through the first solenoid valve 101, the third water outlet of the water return chamber 11 is connected to the first water pump pipeline through the fifth solenoid valve 105, the second water return port of the water return chamber 11 is connected to the second water return pipeline through the third solenoid valve 103 and is connected to the first water return pipeline through the second solenoid valve 102, wherein the inlet of the second solenoid valve 102 is connected to the inlet of the first solenoid valve 101, and the outlet of the second solenoid valve 102 is connected to the inlet of the third solenoid valve 103.

[0048] The aforementioned ice water main unit 3 specifically includes components such as a compressor, an evaporator, a condenser, and a throttling element, wherein the evaporator exchanges heat with the water flowing out of the first pump water pipeline in the ice water circulation buffer unit to achieve the purpose of cooling the cooling water in the ice water circulation buffer unit, while the condenser is cooled by the cooling cycle formed by the third water pump 2 and the cooling tower 1.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a control method for an ice water preparation chiller is also provided, which is used to control the above-mentioned ice water preparation chiller, comprising the following steps:

[0050] When the unit is running and the second solenoid valve 102 and the third solenoid valve 103 are closed and the first solenoid valve 101 is opened, the ice water return temperature Tbh of the second return water pipeline is obtained through the second water temperature sensor 202;

[0051] According to the relationship between the ice water return temperature Tbh and the preset return temperature Ts, the unit is controlled to operate in a low load control mode or a high load control mode.

[0052] Specifically, when Tbh ≥ Ts, it means that the heat exchange demand at the ice water terminal device 5 is greater than the cooling capacity of the cooling water entering it. At this time, the unit is controlled to operate in a high-load control mode. In the high-load control mode, the ice water host 3 is controlled to operate in a high-efficiency range (the operating power of the ice water host 3 corresponding to this range is generally 60% to 80% of the rated maximum operating power of the unit), and the opening of the third solenoid valve 103 is increased, and the frequency of the second water pump 6 is increased to increase the inflow and outflow of cooling water at the ice water terminal device 5, so that it can be faster. The cooling purpose of the ice water terminal equipment 5 is achieved quickly; in this process, the amount of water flowing out of the water supply chamber 10 is relatively large, while the amount of water flowing into the return water chamber 11 is relatively small. At this time, the real-time water level H2 in the return water chamber 11 and the real-time water level H1 in the water supply chamber 10 are obtained, and when H2-H1>H3, the partition 8 is controlled to move toward the side close to the water supply chamber 10, wherein H3 is the preset liquid level difference, so that the volumes of the water supply chamber 10 and the return water chamber 11 are matched with the supply and return water volumes in this control process, thereby ensuring the stable and efficient operation of the unit.

[0053] Furthermore, after the partition 8 moves to the maximum distance toward the side close to the water supply chamber 10, the partition 8 will stop moving. At this time, the chiller 3 can be controlled to increase the frequency to the maximum load (that is, the rated maximum operating power) to ensure cooling efficiency. When the chiller 3 is running at the maximum load, the size relationship between H2 and H5 is detected, where H5 is the lowest water level in the water tank, to prevent the liquid level in the return chamber 11 from being too low and losing the buffering effect.

[0054] When Tbh<Ts, it means that the heat exchange demand at the ice water terminal device 5 is less than the cooling capacity of the cooling water entering it. At this time, the control unit runs in the low-load control mode. In the low-load control mode, the ice water host 3 is controlled to run in the high-efficiency range, and the opening of the third solenoid valve 103 is reduced, and the frequency of the second water pump 6 is reduced to reduce the inflow and outflow of cooling water at the ice water terminal device 5, and the lowered temperature of the ice water terminal device 5 can also be maintained; in this process, the amount of water flowing out of the water supply chamber 10 is relatively small, and the water obtained at this time The real-time water level H1 in the water supply chamber 10 (detected and obtained by the first water level sensor 203 arranged in the water supply chamber 10) and the real-time water level H2 in the return water chamber 11 (detected and obtained by the second water level sensor 204 arranged in the return water chamber 11), and when H1-H2>H3, the partition 8 is controlled to move toward the side close to the return water chamber 11, wherein H3 is the preset liquid level difference, so that the volumes of the water supply chamber 10 and the return water chamber 11 are matched with the supply and return water volumes in this control process, thereby ensuring the stable and efficient operation of the unit.

[0055] Furthermore, after the partition 8 moves to the maximum distance toward the side close to the return water chamber 11, the partition 8 will stop moving, and the chiller 3 can be controlled to shut down at this time, that is, at this time, due to the small cooling load, the chiller 3 does not need to continue to run to provide cooling. During the shutdown of the chiller 3, the size relationship between H2 and H5 is detected, where H5 is the lowest water level in the water tank to prevent the liquid level in the water supply chamber 10 from being too low and losing its buffering effect.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment, when the unit is started, the unit shutdown time t is obtained;

[0057] When t>T, it indicates that the chiller main unit 3 is in downtime. Due to the influence of heat from the external environment, the temperature of the cooling water in each pipeline in the unit and the cooling water in the water tank 7 may be much higher than the preset qualified temperature Ty. At this time, it is necessary to quickly cool the cooling water to the preset qualified temperature. Therefore, the unit is controlled to run in a quick start control mode. In the quick start control mode, the fourth solenoid valve 104 is controlled to be opened and the fifth solenoid valve 105 is controlled to be closed. When the real-time water temperature Th of the first return water pipeline (obtained by the first water temperature sensor 201) is lower than the preset qualified temperature Ty, the second solenoid valve 105 is controlled to be closed. Valve 102 is opened, and the first solenoid valve 101 is opened and the third solenoid valve 103 is opened or maintained in the conducting state. At this time, the cooling water with qualified water temperature is buffered and stored in the water supply chamber 10 for the second water pump 6 to pump and supply the ice water terminal device 5; when the real-time water temperature Th in the first return water pipeline is not lower than the preset qualified temperature Ty, the second solenoid valve 102 and the third solenoid valve 103 are controlled to be opened, and the first solenoid valve 101 is closed, and the cooling water with unqualified temperature is buffered and stored in the return water chamber 11 to prevent adverse effects on the cooling water in the water supply chamber 10, wherein T is a preset time length; or,

[0058] When t≤T, the unit can be controlled to run in a normal start-up control mode. In the normal start-up control mode, the fourth solenoid valve 104 is controlled to be closed and the fifth solenoid valve 105 is controlled to be opened, and the cooling water in the return water chamber 11 is pumped by the first water pump 4 into the ice water main unit 3 for cooling; when the real-time water temperature Th in the first return water pipeline is lower than the preset qualified temperature Ty, the second solenoid valve 102 is controlled to be closed, and the first solenoid valve 101 is opened to store the cooling water with qualified temperature in the water supply chamber 10, and the third solenoid valve 103 is opened or maintained in a conducting state; when the real-time water temperature Th in the first return water pipeline is not lower than the preset qualified temperature Ty, the second solenoid valve 102 and the third solenoid valve 103 are controlled to be opened (fully open at this time), and the first solenoid valve 101 is closed, and the cooling water with unqualified temperature is buffered and stored in the return water chamber 11 to prevent adverse effects on the cooling water in the water supply chamber 10, where T is a preset time.

[0059] For dairy production conditions, the aforementioned preset qualified temperature Ty is usually 2°C.

[0060] It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that, without conflict, the advantageous technical features of the above-mentioned methods can be freely combined and superimposed.

[0061] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included in the protection scope of the present invention. The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and variations can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention, and these improvements and variations should also be regarded as the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ice water preparation chiller, characterized in that: include: The chilled water host unit comprises a chilled water host (3); An ice water circulation buffer unit comprises a water tank (7), the water tank (7) having a containing chamber, the containing chamber having a controllably movable partition (8), the partition (8) dividing the containing chamber into a water supply chamber (10) and a water return chamber (11), the water supply chamber (10) and the water return chamber (11) being controllably connected to an inlet of the ice water main unit (3) via a first pumping pipeline having a first water pump (4), and the water supply chamber (10) and the water return chamber (11) being controllably connected to an outlet of the ice water main unit (3) via a first water return pipeline; An ice water terminal device (5) is connected to the water supply chamber (10) via a second water pump pipeline having a second water pump (6), and is controllably connected to the water return chamber (11) via a second water return pipeline; The first water outlet of the water supply chamber (10) is connected to the first water pump pipeline via a fourth solenoid valve (104), and the first water return port of the water supply chamber (10) is connected to the first water return pipeline via a first solenoid valve (101).

2. The ice water preparation chiller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The partition (8) is connected to a telescopic control mechanism, and the telescopic control mechanism comprises a telescopic hinge (9) or a telescopic rod (21).

3. The ice water preparation chiller according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second water outlet of the water supply chamber (10) is connected to the inlet of the second water pump (6), the third water outlet of the water return chamber (11) is connected to the first pump water pipeline through the fifth solenoid valve (105), the second water return port of the water return chamber (11) is connected to the second water return pipeline through the third solenoid valve (103) and is connected to the first water return pipeline through the second solenoid valve (102), wherein the inlet of the second solenoid valve (102) is connected to the inlet of the first solenoid valve (101), and the outlet of the second solenoid valve (102) is connected to the inlet of the third solenoid valve (103).

4. A control method for a chiller for preparing ice water, characterized in that: Used to control the ice water preparation unit according to claim 3, comprising the following steps: When the unit is running and the second solenoid valve (102) and the third solenoid valve (103) are closed and the first solenoid valve (101) is opened, obtaining the ice water return temperature Tbh of the second return water pipeline; According to the relationship between the ice water return temperature Tbh and the preset return temperature Ts, the unit is controlled to operate in a low load control mode or a high load control mode.

5. The control method according to claim 4, characterized in that: When Tbh≥Ts, the unit operates in a high-load control mode. In the high-load control mode, the chiller (3) is controlled to operate in a high-efficiency range, the opening of the third solenoid valve (103) is increased, and the frequency of the second water pump (6) is increased; The real-time water level H2 in the water return chamber (11) and the real-time water level H1 in the water supply chamber (10) are obtained, and when H2-H1>H3, the partition plate (8) is controlled to move toward the side close to the water supply chamber (10), wherein H3 is a preset liquid level difference.

6. The control method according to claim 5, characterized in that: After the partition (8) moves to the maximum distance toward the side close to the water supply chamber (10), the chiller (3) is controlled to increase its frequency to operate at maximum load and the first water pump (4) is controlled to increase its frequency to operate.

7. The control method according to claim 6, characterized in that: When the ice water main unit (3) is running at maximum load, the magnitude relationship between H2 and H5 is detected, wherein H5 is the lowest water level in the water tank.

8. The control method according to claim 4, characterized in that: When Tbh<Ts, the unit operates in a low-load control mode. In the low-load control mode, the chiller (3) is controlled to operate in a high-efficiency range, the opening of the third solenoid valve (103) is reduced, and the frequency of the second water pump (6) is reduced; The real-time water level H1 in the water supply chamber (10) and the real-time water level H2 in the water return chamber (11) are obtained, and when H1-H2>H3, the partition plate (8) is controlled to move toward a side close to the water return chamber (11), wherein H3 is a preset liquid level difference.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: After the partition (8) moves to a maximum distance toward the side close to the water return chamber (11), the chilled water main unit (3) and the first water pump (4) are controlled to stop.

10. The control method according to claim 9, characterized in that: During the shutdown of the ice water main unit (3), the magnitude relationship between H2 and H5 is detected, wherein H5 is the lowest water level in the water tank.

11. The control method according to claim 4, characterized in that: When the unit is started, obtain the unit shutdown time t; When t>T, the unit is controlled to operate in a quick start control mode, in which the fourth solenoid valve (104) is controlled to open and the fifth solenoid valve (105) is controlled to close; When the real-time water temperature Th of the first water return pipeline is lower than the preset qualified temperature Ty, the second solenoid valve (102) is controlled to be closed, and the first solenoid valve (101) and the third solenoid valve (103) are opened; When the real-time water temperature Th of the first water return pipeline is not lower than the preset qualified temperature Ty, the second solenoid valve (102) and the third solenoid valve (103) are controlled to open, and the first solenoid valve (101) is closed, wherein T is a preset time length; or, When t≤T, the unit is controlled to operate in a normal startup control mode, in which the fourth solenoid valve (104) is controlled to be closed and the fifth solenoid valve (105) is controlled to be opened; When the real-time water temperature Th of the first water return pipeline is lower than the preset qualified temperature Ty, the second solenoid valve (102) is controlled to be closed, and the first solenoid valve (101) and the third solenoid valve (103) are opened; When the real-time water temperature Th of the first water return pipeline is not lower than the preset qualified temperature Ty, the second solenoid valve (102) and the third solenoid valve (103) are controlled to open, and the first solenoid valve (101) is closed, where T is a preset time length.

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