Heat Source System with Automatic COP-Based Load Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat source systems require manual adjustment of number-of-units control devices when installing additional heat source apparatuses, which is inefficient and time-consuming, as they need pre-existing relationships between coefficient of performance (COP) and load factor for each apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The system allows heat source apparatuses to send their unique COP information to the number-of-units control device, enabling automatic determination of appropriate operating regions where the COP is equal to or more than a predetermined value, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and ensuring optimal load allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual adjustment of the number-of-units control device is performed when installing additional heat source apparatuses, then the COP information can be stored in the control device, but the installation process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heat source apparatus automatically transmits its own COP information to the number-of-units control device through communication means, eliminating the need for manual input. The apparatus serves itself by autonomously providing the control device with the necessary operational parameters, thereby reducing installation time while maintaining control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The COP information is pre-stored in the heat source apparatus itself before installation. When the apparatus is installed, this information is automatically transmitted to the control device, eliminating the need for manual adjustment during installation. The preliminary preparation of COP data within the apparatus enables rapid system expansion without compromising control precision.
2Reliability
If manual adjustment is required for each heat source apparatus, then the control device can store accurate COP information, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each heat source apparatus autonomously manages its own COP information storage and transmission. The apparatus independently provides its operational characteristics to the control device, eliminating the need for complex manual configuration procedures. This self-service mechanism simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining precise control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat source apparatus is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the cooling/heating device and as the storage medium for its own COP information. The apparatus also functions as its own configuration source, transmitting data automatically to the control device. This universal design reduces system complexity by eliminating separate configuration tools or manual intervention processes.
3Productivity
If COP information is pre-stored in the control device, then optimal load allocation can be achieved, but the adaptability to new apparatuses decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static configuration where COP information must be pre-loaded into the control device to a dynamic system where the heat source apparatus automatically transmits its COP information upon installation. This dynamic approach enables the system to adapt to new apparatuses seamlessly while maintaining optimal energy efficiency through accurate real-time COP data for load allocation decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat source apparatus provides feedback to the control device by automatically transmitting its COP information. This feedback mechanism enables the control device to adapt to new apparatuses dynamically, maintaining optimal energy efficiency by incorporating accurate COP data from each apparatus into the load allocation algorithm without requiring manual reconfiguration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Upon newly installing a system or installing an additional heat source apparatuses, manual adjustment of a number-of-units control device should be eliminated. Provided is a heat source system including a plurality of heat source apparatuses connected in parallel; and a number-of-units control device 100 that controls on and off of the plurality of the heat source apparatuses and allocates a load to an active heat source apparatus according to a load demand, wherein the heat source apparatuses each possess COP map unique to the respective heat source apparatuses that indicates a relationship among operating status, coefficient of performance, and load factor, each of the heat source apparatuses sets the appropriate operating region in correspondence to the operating status from the COP map and reports it to the number-of-units control device 100, and the number-of-units control device 100 performs number-of-units control of the heat source apparatus and load allocation on the basis of the appropriate operating region that is reported from each of the heat source apparatuses.