HVAC Service Line Characterization for Flow-Temperature Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning and heating plants face challenges in optimizing energy exchange, detecting inefficiencies, and modeling plant behavior due to complex control requirements and the difficulty in managing multiple environments, leading to non-optimal operating conditions and load losses.
Innovation Solution
A process and device for monitoring and controlling air conditioning and heating plants that adjust carrier fluid parameters like temperature and flow rate, using flow rate regulators, sensors, and control units to optimize energy management and detect inefficiencies, allowing for effective monitoring and characterization of plant behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the plant serves numerous environments with complex control requirements, then the coverage and service capability are improved, but the control complexity and difficulty of optimization increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex plant control into multiple service lines, each with its own characteristic function. Each service line is independently characterized by measuring flow rate and temperature difference, then determining its specific heat and characteristic function separately. This segmentation allows complex multi-environment control to be broken down into manageable independent units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from direct control of multiple parameters to monitoring characteristic functions that inherently capture the relationship between flow rate, temperature difference, and thermal power. By determining characteristic functions for each service line, the system transforms complex control parameters into simplified performance indicators that guide optimization.
2Ease of operation
If traditional control methods are used to manage carrier fluid parameters, then the system operates with simple control logic, but the energy efficiency and thermal exchange optimization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously measuring flow rate and temperature difference in each service line, determining the actual thermal power exchanged, and comparing it with the characteristic function. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect deviations from optimal operation and adjust carrier fluid parameters to maintain energy efficiency while keeping control logic relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the natural relationship between flow rate, temperature difference, and thermal power to self-characterize each service line. By determining characteristic functions from actual measurements rather than requiring complex pre-programming, the system achieves energy optimization through self-learning behavior patterns.
3Device complexity
If the plant operates without continuous monitoring and characterization, then the system structure remains simple, but the detection of inefficiencies and deterioration progresses undetected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary characterization of each service line by determining its characteristic function during normal operation. This preliminary action establishes a baseline for optimal performance, enabling future detection of inefficiencies and deterioration without requiring complex real-time analysis. The characteristic function serves as a pre-established reference for identifying performance degradation.
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 solution enhances energy efficiency by reducing load losses and improving energy management in systems serving multiple environments, ensuring optimal operation and reducing inefficiencies.
Implementation Method 1
thermal exchange unit (7) configured for serving a respective environment to be air conditioned or heated
Implementation Method 2
capable of transferring heat or cold, respectively, from the carrier fluid circulating in the distribution circuit to the environment to be served
Data Source
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AI summary
Process and apparatus for monitoring and/or controlling at least one air conditioning and/or heating plant (1) comprising at least one delivery line (3), at least one return line (4) and a predetermined number of service lines (5) hydraulically interposed between the delivery line (3) and the return line (4), each service line (5) comprising at least one thermal exchange unit (7). The process and apparatus are designed for detecting the value (ϕ) of the flow rate of the carrier fluid traversing the thermal exchange unit (7), and for determining at least one value of the temperature difference (ΔT) between the temperature (Tt1) of the carrier fluid, at the first section (5a), detected at a first instant (t1), and the temperature (Tt2) of the carrier fluid, at the second section (5b), detected at a second instant (t2), wherein the second instant is subsequent to the first instant (t1) by said hydraulic delay (dt). Based on the above values the process and apparatus determine a characteristic function which relates said temperature difference (ΔT) between the first and the second section to said value of the carrier fluid flow rate (ϕ), or a characteristic function which relates a thermal power exchanged (dQ/dt) by the thermal exchange unit to said value of the carrier fluid flow rate (ϕ). Moreover, or alternatively, the process and apparatus use the above values to control the thermal power exchanged by the exchange unit.