Secondary Pump Heat Source Control Without Flow Meters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat source systems in large-scale facilities require expensive flow meters to measure and adjust water flow quantities, leading to increased installation and operational costs, and complexity in managing pump performance imbalances.
Innovation Solution
A secondary pump-type heat source system that uses temperature sensors to calculate flow quantities and control secondary pumps, eliminating the need for flow meters by adjusting the number of operational secondary pumps based on temperature differences between water supply and return pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If flow meters are installed to measure and adjust water flow quantities, then flow measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical flow meters with a calculation-based system using temperature sensors and heat balance equations. Flow quantity is derived from temperature differences and heat source output rather than direct mechanical measurement, eliminating complex flow measurement devices while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temperature sensors as intermediary measurement devices that indirectly provide flow information through thermal measurements. Instead of directly measuring flow, the system uses temperature as an intermediary parameter to calculate flow quantity via heat balance relationships.
2Manufacturing precision
If flow meters are installed to measure water flow quantities, then flow adjustment accuracy is improved, but installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive flow meters with inexpensive temperature sensors that can be easily installed and replaced. The calculation-based approach uses low-cost sensing elements rather than expensive flow measurement instruments, significantly reducing installation costs while maintaining control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical flow measurement systems with thermal-based calculation methods, eliminating the need for expensive flow meters and their associated installation infrastructure.
3Use of energy by moving object
If secondary pumps are controlled based on flow meter data, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control using temperature sensor data from the water supply and return pipes. The controller continuously monitors temperature differences and adjusts secondary pump operations accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes energy consumption without requiring complex flow meter feedback infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex flow meter-based control systems with simpler temperature-based feedback control, using thermal measurements to drive pump optimization decisions.
4Ease of manufacture
If flow meters are installed in the load system side only, then facility cost is reduced, but pump performance imbalance management becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control approach that works regardless of whether flow meters are installed on the heat source side, load system side, or both. The temperature-based calculation method provides a unified solution that handles various installation configurations and pump performance scenarios without requiring site-specific adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from flow rate to temperature difference, which simplifies the control approach and makes it applicable across different system configurations without requiring detailed knowledge of pump performance characteristics or flow meter installation locations.
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 approach allows for efficient and cost-effective control of heat source systems, accurately responding to load changes without flow meters, thereby reducing energy consumption and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a water temperature sensor detecting temperature of the heat source water
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of heat sources which are connected in parallel and generate heat source water
Data Source
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AI summary
A secondary pump-type heat source system includes: heat sources connected in parallel; a load system in which the heat source water flows; a primary pump supplying the heat source water to the load system; a secondary pump provided for each heat source and supplies the heat source water subjected to heat exchange in the load system to the heat source; and a heat source controller calculating flow quantity of the heat source water flowing in the heat source side and flow quantity of the heat source water flowing in the load system side by assigning a result from measurement by a water temperature sensor detecting heat source temperature to an operating characteristic of each heat source and controlling operation of the secondary pumps based on the calculation result.