Cooling System Setpoint Control for Variable Building Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cooling systems in medium and large buildings often waste energy due to improper control, leading to undesirable temperature fluctuations and inefficiencies in heat removal.
Innovation Solution
A control system that detects actual cooling loads and adjusts operational setpoints to reduce energy consumption, incorporating a chiller subsystem, cooling tower subsystem, and air handling units, with a main processor interfacing with local control panels to optimize the operation of chillers, chilled fluid pumps, and condenser fluid pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If cooling systems operate with fixed setpoints, then system operation is simple, but energy consumption increases and cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic setpoint adjustment by continuously monitoring actual cooling loads and modifying operational setpoints in real-time. The control system transitions from static fixed setpoints to dynamic adaptive setpoints that respond to changing building conditions, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining comfort requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor actual cooling loads, temperature differentials, and system performance metrics. This feedback information is used to continuously adjust setpoints and optimize chiller operation, enabling the system to adapt to varying conditions and minimize energy waste.
2Use of energy by moving object
If cooling systems reduce energy consumption through setpoint adjustment, then energy efficiency improves, but temperature control stability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses continuous feedback from temperature sensors and load monitors to detect deviations from desired conditions. When setpoint adjustments cause temperature fluctuations, the feedback loop automatically corrects these deviations by modifying control parameters, thereby maintaining temperature stability while preserving energy efficiency benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates predictive control elements that anticipate load changes and pre-adjust setpoints to prevent temperature fluctuations before they occur. This cushioning approach smooths out temperature variations and maintains stability during transitions.
3Loss of energy
If cooling systems use advanced control routines to detect actual loads, then energy waste is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically detects actual cooling loads, calculates optimal setpoints, and adjusts system operation without requiring manual intervention or complex external control infrastructure. The system serves itself by integrating sensors, processors, and actuators into a self-regulating architecture that reduces energy waste while maintaining manageable complexity.
4Productivity
If cooling systems adjust operational setpoints dynamically, then cooling efficiency improves, but control difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic setpoint adjustment is fully automated through embedded control routines that continuously monitor system conditions and adjust parameters without operator intervention. This self-service capability maintains high cooling efficiency while preserving ease of operation by eliminating the need for manual control of multiple variables.
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 improves energy efficiency by adjusting setpoints such as chilled fluid temperature, flowrate, and condenser fluid temperature, leading to reduced energy waste and enhanced occupant comfort while maintaining desired cooling levels.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling coil is configured to receive a volume of chilled fluid from the chiller, and the fan is configured to deliver a volume of air or draw a volume of air past the cooling coil for heat exchange between the air and the chilled fluid.
Implementation Method 2
The chiller subsystem includes one or more absorption, constant speed, variable speed or other types of chillers
Implementation Method 3
the cooling tower subsystem comprises one or more cooling tower units, which include a cooling tower inlet and outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system for providing conditioned air to a facility includes a chiller or other cooling subsystem, a cooling tower subsystem and one or more air handling units or process cooling units. The cooling subsystem may advantageously include one or more chillers (e.g., variable speed chillers, constant speed chillers, absorption chillers, etc.) and chilled fluid pumps. The cooling tower subsystem includes one or more cooling tower units and condenser fluid pumps. In some implementations, the air handling unit has a cooling coil and a variable volume fan. In some implementations, direct expansion (DX) cooling systems comprise compressors, evaporators and air-cooled, water-cooled or evaporatively-cooled condensing systems. Such systems can be controlled to reduce energy waste, improve occupant comfort and/or improve the thermal characteristics of the process cooling unit. The cooling system further comprises a control system which is configured to evaluate a cooling load value at the air handling unit and use the cooling load value to calculate at least one operational setpoint. The operational setpoint may advantageously be selected to improve the energy efficiency of the overall cooling system.