Temperature control system including multiple valves and temperature control method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temperature control systems for chiller units face challenges in rapidly and efficiently changing the temperature of temperature-controlled media, such as brine, across a wide range and at high speeds, which is necessary due to diversifying process conditions.
Innovation Solution
A temperature control system that includes a first pump to circulate the medium, a second pump to discharge it, a temperature adjusting unit, and a network of flow passages and valves that allow for bypasses, enabling efficient temperature control by adjusting flow rates and valve openings to achieve rapid temperature changes without altering the chiller's discharge temperature or flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a conventional temperature control system with a single circulation loop is used, then the system structure is simple, but the temperature change speed and efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single circulation loop is segmented into multiple parallel circulation loops (first circulation loop and second circulation loop), each with independent flow control. This allows different portions of the temperature-controlled medium to be circulated at different rates, enabling faster temperature changes without requiring a completely complex system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable flow rate valves in each circulation loop that can dynamically change the flow distribution. This dynamic control capability allows the system to adaptively optimize temperature change speed based on process requirements, transforming a static single-loop system into a dynamic multi-loop system.
2Productivity
If the flow rate of temperature controlled medium is increased to achieve faster temperature changes, then the temperature response improves, but the energy consumption and system load increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly increasing the flow rate throughout the entire system, the invention applies local flow rate optimization by independently controlling the flow in each circulation loop. The adjustable valves allow each loop to operate at its optimal flow rate, ensuring fast temperature response where needed while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption in other loops.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow rate parameter dynamically through adjustable valves in each circulation loop. By independently tuning the flow rate in the first and second circulation loops, the system achieves optimal temperature control efficiency without requiring the entire system to operate at high energy consumption levels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent chillers are used to achieve wide temperature range control, then the temperature range and versatility improve, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single chiller is given multi-functionality by incorporating it into multiple parallel circulation loops with independent flow control. The same chiller can serve different temperature control requirements by adjusting the flow distribution among loops, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated chillers for different temperature ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple circulation loops are merged into a single integrated system sharing a common chiller. This consolidation allows the system to achieve wide temperature range control capabilities that would otherwise require multiple separate chiller units, thereby reducing installation space while maintaining versatility.
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 system allows for rapid and efficient temperature adjustments of the medium flowing through a member's flow passage, reducing the amount of brine needed for temperature changes and enabling quick temperature shifts, even with a single chiller unit, thereby simplifying the device configuration and reducing installation space.
Implementation Method 1
a first pump configured to circulate a temperature controlled medium through a flow passage formed in a member
Implementation Method 2
a temperature adjusting unit, a first flow passage connecting one end of the flow passage formed in the member to one end of the temperature adjusting unit to allow the temperature controlled medium to flow therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A temperature control system includes a first pump, a second pump, a temperature adjusting unit, a first flow passage, a second flow passage, a first valve disposed in the first flow passage, a second valve disposed in the second flow passage, a first bypass flow passage connecting the first flow passage to the second flow passage on the temperature adjusting unit side of the first and second valves, a second bypass flow passage connecting the first flow passage to the second flow passage on the flow passage side of the first and second valves, a third valve disposed in the first bypass flow passage, and a fourth valve disposed in the second bypass flow passage. At least one of a pair of the first valve and the second valve, and a pair of the third valve and the fourth valve is a pair of flow rate adjustable valves.