Method for controlling a centrifugal pump, and associated pump system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heating and cooling systems lack a demand-based control mechanism for variable speed centrifugal pumps on the primary side of transfer points, leading to inefficient energy usage and incomplete adaptation to system requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling the volume flow rate of the first circulation pump in a heating or cooling system, where the primary circuit is coupled with a secondary circuit at a transfer point, by adjusting the primary volume flow rate based on the volume flow rate of the secondary circuit, ensuring energy-efficient operation and adequate heating or cooling output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a variable speed centrifugal pump is implemented in the consumer circuit with constant pressure controller or variable pressure controller, then the volume flow rate can be controlled to adapt to consumer demands, but the energy efficiency and adaptability of the primary-side pump remains insufficient without demand-based control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by having the primary-side circulation pump receive control signals from the secondary circuit's volume flow rate requirements. The controller continuously monitors the secondary circuit's demand and adjusts the primary pump's volume flow rate accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to changing conditions and eliminates energy waste from oversized pumping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamic control by enabling the primary-side circulation pump to continuously adjust its operating parameters (volume flow rate) in real-time based on secondary circuit demands. This transforms the pump system from a static, fixed-operation configuration to a dynamic, adaptive system that optimizes performance across varying load conditions.
2Reliability
If the primary-side circulation pump operates at high volume flow rate to ensure adequate supply, then the heating or cooling output is sufficient, but energy consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism monitors the actual volume flow rate requirements of the secondary circuit and communicates this information to the primary pump controller. This enables the system to maintain reliable heating or cooling supply by matching the primary pump output exactly to secondary circuit demands, eliminating energy waste from excessive flow rates while ensuring adequate supply is never compromised.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the primary-side circulation pump dynamically based on secondary circuit conditions. By adjusting the volume flow rate parameter in real-time according to actual demand signals from the secondary circuit, the system maintains reliable performance while minimizing energy consumption, avoiding both oversupply and undersupply conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If demand-based control is implemented for the primary-side pump, then energy efficiency improves, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves energy-efficient demand-based control without significantly increasing system complexity by utilizing the existing controller infrastructure in the secondary circuit. The primary-side pump controller leverages the same control architecture and communication protocols already present in the variable speed centrifugal pump system, allowing it to perform multiple functions (pressure regulation, flow control, and demand-based adaptation) through a unified control platform.
4Productivity
If the primary volume flow rate is matched to secondary circuit requirements, then overall system efficiency increases, but the control and measurement requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback control system continuously measures the volume flow rate in the secondary circuit and uses this measurement to adjust the primary pump operation. By relying on feedback from existing sensors and controllers already present in the variable speed centrifugal pump system, the patent achieves accurate volume flow rate matching without requiring additional complex measurement infrastructure, thereby improving overall system efficiency while keeping measurement requirements manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for controlling at least one first circulation pump (17b, 17c) of a heating or cooling system (1) having a primary circuit (2, 2a) and a secondary circuit (4, 30a) coupled therewith at a transfer point (3, 29). The first circulation pump (17, 17b, 17c, 17b′) conveys a heating or cooling medium in the primary circuit (2, 2a), and in the second secondary circuit (4, 30a), at least one second circulation pump (12, 17d) is located that conveys a heating or cooling medium in at least one partial area of the secondary circuit (4, 30a). The volume flow rate (formula I) of the first circulation pump (17, 17b, 17c, 17b′) is controlled in functional dependence on the volume flow rate (formula II) of the secondary circuit (4, 30) behind the transfer point (3, 29). In this way, a demand based, and thus an energy-efficient control of the primary-side circulation pump is achieved. The invention further relates to a pump system, comprising the at least one first and the at least one second circulation pump for carrying out the method.