HVAC Flow-Temperature Characterization for Adaptive Energy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems lack adaptive control mechanisms that adjust to the specific properties of energy consumers and changes over time, leading to inefficiencies and incorrect dimensioning, as limit values are specified without considering the unique characteristics of each energy consumer or secondary circuit.
Innovation Solution
The method involves empirically determining the dependency of energy flow and temperature difference on volume flow for each energy consumer, allowing for adaptive adjustment of control parameters, such as limit values, to optimize system operation and recognize changes or deteriorations, thereby ensuring the system operates under optimal conditions throughout its lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed limit values are specified for HVAC system operation, then the system can be operated with simple control, but the system cannot adapt to specific energy consumer properties or changes over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary empirical determination of the dependency between energy flow and volume flow for each energy consumer during commissioning or maintenance phases. This preliminary characterization data is stored and used for subsequent adaptive control operations, allowing the system to adapt to specific consumer properties without requiring complex real-time analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors actual energy flow and volume flow parameters, compares them against the empirically determined dependency relationships, and automatically adjusts control parameters such as pump speed or valve positions. This feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to changing conditions and consumer properties while maintaining optimal efficiency.
2Reliability
If high pumping power is used to maintain volume flow, then sufficient energy supply is ensured, but energy efficiency decreases when temperature differences are small
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pumping power based on the empirically determined dependency relationships between energy flow, volume flow, and temperature difference. Instead of maintaining constant high pumping power, the system optimizes pump speed or valve positions in real-time to match actual thermal demands, ensuring reliable energy supply while minimizing pumping losses during part-load operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (volume flow rate, pump speed, valve opening) based on the empirically characterized dependency curves for each energy consumer. By adjusting these parameters according to actual temperature difference and energy demand conditions, the system maintains reliable energy delivery while avoiding excessive pumping energy consumption when temperature differences are small.
3Ease of operation
If the system operates with generic control parameters, then installation and operation are simplified, but system efficiency is reduced due to incorrect dimensioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary empirical characterization of each energy consumer's thermal properties and flow requirements during commissioning or maintenance. This preliminary action creates consumer-specific dependency curves that are stored in the control system, enabling efficient operation without requiring complex manual dimensioning or tuning during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically uses the empirically determined dependency relationships to self-adjust control parameters for optimal efficiency. The control system serves itself by automatically interpreting the stored empirical data and adjusting pump speeds, valve positions, and flow rates without requiring manual intervention or expert knowledge, thus maintaining both simplicity and high efficiency.
4Adaptability or versatility
If empirical determination of energy flow dependency is performed, then adaptive control is achieved, but measurement and monitoring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multi-functional sensors and measurement devices that serve both the empirical characterization phase and ongoing operational monitoring. The same flow meters, temperature sensors, and energy measurement systems used for initial empirical determination continue to provide data for real-time adaptive control, eliminating the need for separate measurement infrastructure and reducing overall measurement complexity.
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 ensures the HVAC system operates efficiently and effectively by adapting to the specific energy consumer's properties, preventing inefficiencies and allowing for continuous monitoring and maintenance, reducing energy consumption, and enabling early detection of system degradation.
Implementation Method 1
heat is transferred from a primary circuit via a heat exchanger to a secondary circuit
Implementation Method 2
The energy flow E (energy per unit of time or power) delivered to the respective secondary circuit results from the equation E = k · φ · Δ T
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating and/or monitoring an HVAC system (10), in which a medium circulating in a primary circuit (26) flows through at least one energy consumer (11, 12, 13), the medium entering with a volume flow (phi) through a supply line (14) into the energy consumer (11, 12, 13) at a supply temperature (Tv) and leaving the energy consumer (11, 12, 13) at a return temperature (TR) via a return line (15), and transferring heat or cooling energy to the energy consumer (11, 12, 13) in an energy flow (E). A considerable improvement in the operating behavior of the system is achieved by empirically determining the dependence of the energy flow (E) and/or the temperature difference (DeltaTau) between supply temperature (Tv) and return temperature (TR) on the volume flow (phi) for the energy consumers (11, 12, 13) in a first step, and by operating and/or monitoring the HVAC system (10) according to the determined dependency or dependencies in a second step.