Central Cooling Control Using Ambient-Responsive Temperature Setpoints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Central cooling systems face inefficiencies in energy consumption due to varying temperatures of the heat exchange medium, coolant, and ambient air, requiring optimal temperature adjustments to minimize energy usage.
Innovation Solution
A central cooling system with a control unit that monitors temperatures and humidity to calculate and set optimal control temperatures for the heat exchange medium, coolant, and air using a quadratic energy consumption function, adjusting operations of ventilation fan, chiller, and cooling tower units to minimize energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the central cooling system operates with fixed temperature settings for the heat exchange medium and coolant, then the system operation is simple, but the energy consumption increases due to inability to adapt to varying ambient conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic temperature control for the heat exchange medium and coolant based on real-time ambient temperature measurements. The control unit continuously adjusts the temperatures of the heat exchange medium and coolant according to the ambient conditions, transforming the static temperature control into a dynamic adaptive control system that optimizes energy consumption while responding to environmental changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where sensors measure the ambient temperature and provide this information to the control unit. The control unit processes this feedback and adjusts the temperatures of the heat exchange medium and coolant accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system enables the cooling system to adapt to varying ambient conditions and minimize energy consumption.
2Loss of energy
If the control unit continuously adjusts temperatures based on ambient conditions, then energy consumption is minimized, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters (temperatures of heat exchange medium and coolant) based on ambient conditions. The control unit adjusts these parameters dynamically to optimize energy efficiency. By focusing parameter changes rather than overhauling the entire system, the patent achieves energy optimization with relatively modest increases in control complexity.
3Productivity
If the system operates without optimal temperature adjustment, then the system structure is simple, but energy efficiency decreases due to varying ambient temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static temperature control into dynamic adaptive control, where the temperatures of the heat exchange medium and coolant are continuously adjusted according to ambient conditions. This dynamic approach optimizes the temperature differential across the heat exchanger, thereby maximizing cooling efficiency while adapting to varying environmental temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes cooling efficiency by changing the operational parameters (temperatures) of the heat exchange medium and coolant based on ambient conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system maintains optimal heat transfer efficiency across varying ambient temperatures, thereby improving overall cooling productivity.
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 optimizes energy consumption by determining and adjusting control temperatures based on measured parameters, reducing energy costs and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger in which heat exchange between a heat exchange medium and air is performed
Implementation Method 2
a cooling tower which cools the heat exchange medium
Implementation Method 3
Through the heat exchange between flowing air and the heat exchange medium, the temperature of the flowing air is lowered
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a central cooling system including: a ventilation fan unit configured to provide air to a predetermined space; a chiller unit configured to provide heat exchange medium to lower temperature of the air; a cooling tower unit configured to provide a coolant to the chiller unit to lower temperature of the heat exchange medium, and configured to lower temperature of the coolant through heat exchange between the coolant and ambient air; a sensor unit configured to measure the temperatures of the air, the heat exchange medium, and the coolant, and temperature and humidity of the ambient air; and a control unit configured to monitor energy consumption of the central cooling system and configured to calculate at least one of a control temperature of the heat exchange medium, a control temperature of the coolant, and a control temperature of the air which minimizes the energy consumption.