Pumping Station Curve Switching for Fast Flowrate Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automatically controlling pumping stations in fluid circulation systems, such as heating and cooling systems, take too long to adapt to flowrate variations, resulting in delayed energy savings during stable operation.
Innovation Solution
A method that predefines multiple driving curves for a pumping station, allowing for immediate adaptation by monitoring flowrate variations and modifying the driving curve in response, ensuring dynamic control while maintaining system stability through defined thresholds and stabilization times.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If statistical analysis methods are used to adapt the driving curve to system flowrate history, then energy performance improves in the long term, but the correction time for operating modes becomes relatively long
Solution Approach 1:
The system predefines multiple driving curves in advance that correspond to different flowrate conditions. Instead of analyzing historical data to determine the optimal curve, the controller can directly select from the predefined set, enabling immediate adaptation when flowrate conditions change without the delay of statistical analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different predefined driving curves based on real-time flowrate monitoring. When the flowrate variation exceeds a threshold for a stabilization time, the controller automatically selects a different driving curve from the predefined set, allowing the system to adapt quickly to changing conditions rather than relying on slow statistical analysis.
2Loss of energy
If the driving curve is modified frequently to adapt to flowrate variations, then energy efficiency improves, but system stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a stabilization time threshold that prevents premature switching between driving curves. By requiring the flowrate condition to be maintained for this stabilization period before allowing curve modification, the system prevents oscillations and ensures stable operation while still enabling timely energy optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple driving curves are predefined in advance for different flowrate conditions. This preliminary preparation allows the system to have ready-made optimal curves available, eliminating the need for complex real-time calculations that could cause instability, while ensuring the correct curve is selected based on pre-established criteria.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for automatically controlling a pumping station of a fluid circulation system with flowrate control valves, comprising the following control steps which are cyclically repeated: (b) driving said pumping station in accordance with a set curve belonging to a group of predefined driving curves; (c) monitoring over time the variation in flowrate of fluid circulating in the system at the pumping station, or a parameter related thereto; (d) if, during the monitoring step (c), the variation in flowrate exceeds or falls below a control threshold and if said condition is maintained for a stabilization time, (e) modifying the set driving curve, replacing it with another curve from the plurality of driving curves; and (f) reinitializing the monitoring step (c) from a new working point reached by the pumping station.