Cooling Tower Fan Speed Control for Chiller Power Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
It is challenging to control cooling tower fan systems in a way that minimizes the combined power consumption of the chiller and the cooling tower fan system, as increasing airflow to cool condenser fluid temperatures reduces chiller power but increases fan system power consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an extremum seeking controller that dynamically adjusts the speed of the cooling tower fan motor to find an optimal speed that minimizes the sum of power expended by the cooling tower fan system and the chiller, by continuously searching for a speed that balances these power demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If cooling tower airflow is increased to reduce chiller power consumption, then chiller power is reduced, but cooling tower fan system power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a variable speed fan system that continuously adjusts fan speed based on real-time operating conditions. The controller dynamically modifies fan motor speed to optimize the balance between chiller power consumption and fan system power consumption, rather than operating at fixed speeds. This enables the system to adapt to changing load conditions and environmental factors to minimize total power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using sensors to monitor condenser water temperature, fan speed, and power consumption, then feeding this information back to the controller. The controller processes this feedback data and adjusts fan speed accordingly to maintain optimal operating conditions. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables continuous optimization of the trade-off between chiller power savings and fan power consumption.
Solution Approach 3:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the fan speed parameter to optimize system performance. The controller adjusts the fan speed parameter based on measured operating conditions, changing this key parameter to find the optimal balance point where the sum of chiller power and fan power is minimized. This involves continuously modifying operational parameters rather than relying on fixed settings.
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 effectively reduces the total power consumption of the cooling system by optimizing fan speed, achieving a balance between chiller power reduction and fan system power management.
Implementation Method 1
cooling tower fan system that controllably varies a speed of at least one fan motor
Implementation Method 2
cooling tower that cools condenser fluid for a condenser of a chiller
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling a cooling tower that cools condenser fluid for a condenser of a chiller includes a cooling tower fan system that controllably varies a speed of at least one fan motor. The system further includes an extremum seeking controller that receives inputs of power expended by the cooling tower fan system and of power expended by the chiller. The extremum seeking controller provides an output to the cooling tower fan system that controls the speed of the at least one fan motor. The extremum seeking controller determines the output by searching for a speed of the at least one fan motor that minimizes the sum of the power expended by the cooling tower fan system and the power expended by the chiller.