Cooling Tower Control Device for Heat Source Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling cooling towers in heat source systems fail to effectively suppress power consumption and achieve energy savings, as they often rely on chiller load or cooling capacity, neglecting macroscopic energy saving opportunities.
Innovation Solution
A cooling tower control device that starts all cooling towers at system initiation, maintains fans at a minimum rotational speed, and strategically stops or starts towers based on cooling capacity estimation and efficiency, ensuring stable operation and uniform rotational speeds across all towers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the number of cooling towers is determined based on chiller load or cooling capacity, then the cooling capacity can be demonstrated to enhance chiller COP, but power consumption of the cooling towers cannot be sufficiently suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the control parameter from chiller load or cooling capacity to cooling water temperature. By monitoring the actual cooling water temperature and comparing it with a target temperature, the system determines whether to start or stop cooling towers, thereby optimizing power consumption while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback control mechanism where the actual cooling water temperature is continuously measured and fed back to the control device. Based on this feedback and the temperature difference from the target, the system dynamically adjusts the operation state of cooling towers, achieving optimal energy efficiency.
2Temperature
If simple control is executed by increasing the number of cooling towers when cooling water temperature increases, then cooling water temperature can be maintained, but energy saving of the cooling towers is not considered
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the control approach from purely temperature-based on/off control to a more sophisticated method that considers the temperature difference (ΔT) between actual and target cooling water temperatures. By calculating this difference and comparing it with a reference value, the system makes more informed decisions about starting or stopping cooling towers, balancing temperature maintenance with energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies partial action by not immediately starting additional cooling towers when temperature rises, but first evaluating whether the temperature difference exceeds a reference threshold. This prevents unnecessary operation of cooling towers and achieves energy saving while still maintaining adequate cooling water temperature.
3Productivity
If cooling towers are started based on cooling capacity requirements, then adequate cooling can be provided, but macroscopic energy saving opportunities are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements feedback control by continuously monitoring the actual cooling water temperature and comparing it with the target temperature. This feedback mechanism enables the system to make real-time decisions about cooling tower operation, achieving both adequate cooling capacity and macroscopic energy savings by avoiding unnecessary tower operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies partial action by evaluating whether the temperature difference exceeds a reference threshold before starting additional cooling towers. This prevents excessive operation of cooling towers and captures macroscopic energy saving opportunities while still providing adequate cooling capacity when needed.
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
This approach significantly reduces power consumption by maintaining low fan rotational speeds and preventing inefficient operation, achieving energy savings by starting as many towers as possible and optimizing their operation based on cooling efficiency and water temperature.
Implementation Method 1
cooling towers... fans are rotated... cooling water temperature... heat source system
Implementation Method 2
fans are rotated... air flow over cooling water... heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
To achieve energy saving in the cooling towers as a whole in a heat source system including a plurality of cooling towers connected in parallel to a common chiller. In a heat source system, a plurality of cooling towers are connected in parallel to a common chiller. The cooling towers cool cooling water used and thereby heated in the chiller, and supplies the cooled cooling water to the chiller. A cooling tower control device for controlling the cooling towers starts all the cooling towers at the start of the heat source system.