Chiller Plant Room Control for Variable Load Energy Savings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy-saving methods for chiller plant rooms are ineffective in optimizing energy consumption due to varying cooling loads and weather parameters, leading to irregular parameter values and increased energy consumption, with no established heat exchange model to control energy consumption effectively.
Innovation Solution
An energy-saving optimized control system comprising an industrial control computer, programmable controller, sensors, and variable speed drivers that monitor and adjust operational parameters in real-time to minimize energy consumption, using mathematical models to determine the best operation conditions for chillers, water pumps, and cooling towers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If energy consumption model is adjusted with above methods in actual operational process, then energy consumption optimization is attempted, but irregular parameter values from varying cooling loads and weather parameters cause contrary effects
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple operating condition points with optimized parameter combinations (chilled water supply temperature, flow rate, condensing pressure, condenser water flow rate) based on theoretical models and historical data. When actual operation occurs, the system selects from these pre-optimized conditions rather than attempting real-time optimization, avoiding the instability caused by adjusting energy consumption models during varying operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor actual energy consumption and operational parameters, comparing them against the pre-established operating condition points. This feedback allows the system to select the most appropriate pre-optimized condition based on current conditions, ensuring stable and reliable energy consumption control without the volatility of real-time model adjustments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cooling loads and weather parameters vary at any moment, then actual operational flexibility is maintained, but parameter values become irregular and energy consumption model optimization fails
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple operating condition points that cover a range of typical operating scenarios including different cooling loads and weather conditions. This preliminary preparation allows the system to maintain adaptability to varying conditions while avoiding the parameter irregularity problem, as the system selects from pre-validated condition points rather than attempting real-time optimization under varying conditions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly improves energy efficiency by optimizing the operation of chiller plant room apparatus, reducing overall energy consumption and ensuring the chiller plant room operates at its most efficient state, even under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The condenser water is transported to cooling towers through the condenser water pumps so as to perform the heat and humidity exchange with outdoor air by dissipating heat and moisture into the atmosphere finally
Implementation Method 2
The condenser water is transported to cooling towers through the condenser water pumps so as to perform the heat and humidity exchange with outdoor air by dissipating heat and moisture into the atmosphere finally
Implementation Method 3
The chillers produce chilled water with predetermined temperature
Implementation Method 4
Chilled water is transported to air terminals through chilled water pumps, to conduct a thermal exchange with indoor air, absorb the heat indoor
Data Source
AI summary
An energy-saving optimized control system for a chiller plant room comprises an industry control computer, a flow sensor, a temperature sensor, an outdoor temperature and humidity sensor, a three-phase active power transmitter, a water pump variable speed driver and a cooling tower fan variable speed driver, which are respectively connected with a programmable controller, wherein the programmable controller communicates with the industrial control computer through an industrial Ethernet; and an RS485 communication interface module is connected with chillers and communicates with the industrial control computer through a ModBus protocol. An energy-saving optimized control method for a chiller plant room is also provided. By establishing a mathematical model of the relationship between the energy consumption and operation parameters of each equipment in the refrigeration plant room and combining the real-time cooling loads and weather parameters, the operating state of each equipment is adjusted so as to reach the lowest operating energy consumption of the whole chiller plant room under the premise of meeting the cooling loads.