Chilled Water Temperature Control for Adaptive Energy Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chilled water systems face inefficiencies due to aging and component changes, as existing energy management systems rely on pristine system models that fail to adapt to actual operating parameters, leading to suboptimal energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a controller that adjusts chilled water supply and condenser water supply temperatures, measuring efficiency, and making adjustments based on improvements or worsenments to optimize energy usage, without relying on specific equipment models.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If equipment modeling and algorithms based on pristine system design are used to predict optimal temperatures, then energy usage can be reduced, but the system becomes locked to an ideal model and cannot adapt when the actual system changes over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors actual operating parameters (temperatures, energy consumption, flow rates) and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the chilled water supply temperature and condenser water supply temperature. This closed-loop control allows the system to adapt to changing conditions over time, maintaining optimal efficiency without relying on static pristine system models.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static equipment modeling to dynamic adaptive control by continuously adjusting operating temperatures based on real-time system performance. The system evolves its operating parameters dynamically rather than being locked to fixed model-based setpoints, enabling adaptation to aging components and changing operating conditions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If chilled water supply temperature is adjusted upwards and condenser water supply temperature is adjusted downwards, then overall energy usage can be reduced, but if temperatures are adjusted too far, energy usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system measures actual energy consumption and uses this feedback to determine the optimal balance between chilled water supply temperature and condenser water supply temperature adjustments. By continuously monitoring energy usage and adjusting temperatures based on measured performance, the system avoids the risk of over-adjustment while maintaining energy reduction benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes operating parameters (temperatures) to optimize energy usage. Rather than using fixed adjustment rules, the system continuously modifies chilled water supply temperature and condenser water supply temperature based on real-time measurements of system efficiency, allowing flexible optimization without compromising stability.
3Use of energy by moving object
If custom equipment data and modeling are required to find lowest energy usage, then optimal efficiency can be achieved, but each plant requires custom data and the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs its own optimization by directly measuring energy consumption and efficiency without requiring external equipment modeling or custom data collection. The chilled water system self-adjusts its operating parameters based on its own performance measurements, eliminating the need for complex custom models and reducing system complexity while maintaining optimization capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for improving efficiency of a chilled water system having a chiller unit, circulation pumps, a heat absorption unit and a heat rejection unit, including adjusting a temperature of at least one of a chilled water supply to the heat absorption unit and a condenser water supply from the heat rejection unit; measuring efficiency of the chiller unit and at least one of the circulation pumps, the heat absorption unit and the heat rejection unit; further adjusting temperature of at least one of the chilled water supply to the heat absorption unit and the condenser water supply from the heat rejection unit if the measuring the efficiency indicates an improved efficiency; and further adjusting the temperature of the at least one of the chilled water supply to the heat absorption unit and the condenser water supply from the heat rejection unit if measuring the efficiency indicates worsened efficiency.