Conditioning and/or heating plant and process of controlling the same plant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and conditioning plants face challenges in managing energy consumption efficiently, particularly in systems with multiple environments, as they struggle to optimize hydronic flows and thermodynamic conditions in real-time, and fail to account for flow resistances in the distributing system.
Innovation Solution
A controlling process and valve system that monitors thermal and hydraulic parameters across multiple channels, adjusting flow rates and heat exchange units to maintain optimal energy efficiency by comparing desired and actual energy parameters, and varying operative conditions to minimize energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If flow-rate regulators are controlled to set desired flow rates in each channel during installation, then the flow rates in the several branches of the plant can be set consistently with design points, but the plant cannot optimize energy consumptions in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static flow-rate regulators into dynamic systems by equipping them with sensors (heat sensors 9 and hydraulic sensors 10) and control units that continuously monitor thermal and hydraulic parameters. This enables real-time adjustment of flow rates based on actual plant conditions, allowing the system to optimize energy consumption dynamically while maintaining precise flow control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by using heat sensors 9 to detect thermal parameters and hydraulic sensors 10 to measure flow parameters in each channel. These sensors provide continuous feedback to control units, which automatically adjust the flow-rate regulators to maintain optimal energy efficiency. The feedback loop enables the system to adapt to changing conditions and optimize energy consumption in real-time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the plant is designed to supply many separated environments with individual heat exchange units, then each environment can be supplied with dedicated thermal treatment, but controlling the compliance with desired thermal conditions becomes extremely complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control architecture where a centralized control system manages all heat exchange units 7 across multiple channels 5. The control units are designed to handle thermal and hydraulic parameter monitoring, flow rate optimization, and energy efficiency calculations in a unified manner. This universal approach simplifies control of multi-environment systems by providing consistent management across all branches rather than requiring separate complex control systems for each environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service operation by equipping each channel 5 with sensors (heat sensor 9 and hydraulic sensor 10) and control units that automatically monitor and adjust their own parameters. Each heat exchange unit 7 can independently optimize its operation based on local conditions, reducing the burden on centralized control while maintaining overall system coordination. This distributed intelligence simplifies the control architecture by allowing local autonomous decision-making.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional control solutions are used, then initial flow rates can be set during installation, but the system cannot take flow resistances of the distributing system into account or optimize such resistances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary hydraulic optimization during the installation phase by using hydraulic sensors 10 to measure actual flow resistances in each channel 5. The control units calculate optimal flow rates that account for measured resistances and pre-adjust the flow-rate regulators accordingly. This preliminary action ensures that the system starts operation with optimized flow distribution, and the continuous monitoring and adjustment capabilities allow for ongoing optimization as conditions change.
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 enables precise control of energy usage, optimizing energy management and reducing consumption by adjusting flow rates and heat exchange operations in real-time, ensuring the lowest possible energy expenditure while maintaining desired thermal conditions across multiple environments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one heat sensor (9) configured for detecting a measured value of a thermal parameter dependent on the temperature difference between a first section of each channel (5) upstream said heat exchange unit (7) and a second section of each channel (5) downstream the same heat exchange unit (7)
Implementation Method 2
at least one hydraulic sensor (10) configured for determining a measured value of a flow parameter in each channel, said flow parameter comprising one among: the flow rate passing through the flow-rate regulator (8), and the pressure difference between a first section (5c) of the channel (5) upstream each said flow-rate regulator (8) and a second section (5d) of the same channel (5) downstream the same flow-rate regulator (8)
Implementation Method 3
at least one respective heat exchange unit (7) operating on each of said channels (5) for supplying a respective environment to be conditioned and/or heated
Data Source
AI summary
A conditioning or heating plant and a process of controlling the plant, wherein plant comprises at least one circuit for distributing a carrier fluid, having a delivery line, a return line, and a plurality of channels directly or indirectly connected to the delivery line and return line and configured for supplying respective environments to be conditioned and/or heated, at least one heat treatment central group placed on the circuit. The plant has, for each of the channels, at least one respective heat exchange unit and at least one flow-rate regulator.