Circulation Pump Speed Control for Lower Heating Power Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Older heating circulation pumps in small or medium-sized systems operate inefficiently due to manual speed adjustments, leading to energy wastage during irregular peak loads, and modern pumps with frequency converters still consume excess power due to abrupt speed changes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that varies the dynamics of speed adjustment based on the difference between actual and target delivery heads, using different speed ramps for increasing and decreasing speed to optimize power consumption, with a first-order low-pass filter-like control for smoother transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the pump speed is adjusted abruptly to reach the target delivery head quickly, then the response time is reduced, but the power consumption increases and mechanical stress rises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the speed adjustment rate variable rather than constant. The control system adapts the rate of speed change based on the current operating conditions and the difference between actual and target delivery heads, allowing faster adjustments when needed and slower adjustments when approaching the target, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adequate response time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of speed adjustment rate from a fixed value to a variable parameter that depends on the delivery head difference. By dynamically adjusting this parameter based on system state, the patent achieves optimal balance between response time and power consumption across different operating scenarios
2Use of energy by moving object
If the pump speed is reduced quickly to lower power consumption, then energy efficiency improves, but the delivery head may become insufficient temporarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback by continuously monitoring the actual delivery head and comparing it with the target delivery head. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts the speed ramp dynamically, ensuring that speed reductions are implemented in a manner that maintains adequate delivery head throughout the transition, thus preserving system reliability while reducing power consumption
3Device complexity
If manual speed settings are used for circulation pumps, then the device complexity is reduced, but the energy efficiency deteriorates due to inability to adapt to varying loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the circulation pump to automatically adjust its own speed based on real-time delivery head measurements. The pump control system autonomously determines the optimal speed setting without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to adapt to varying loads and maintain energy efficiency while keeping the control mechanism relatively simple
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling a circulation pump having variable speed in a hydraulic system, in particular a heating system, wherein the pump control specifies the setpoint discharge head and adjusts the speed of the pump in order to achieve the setpoint discharge head, and wherein the speed change rate is dynamically determined according to whether the setpoint discharge height is larger or smaller than the actual discharge head.