Managed Water Heating Control for Lower Energy Pool Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The heating duration and cost of controlled bodies of water, such as swimming pools and spas, are prolonged and inefficient due to lack of optimization in heating systems and equipment usage.
Innovation Solution
A managed water system that includes sensors, a circulation system, and a controller using algorithms to optimize heating, chemical treatment, and equipment operation, allowing for real-time monitoring and control to minimize energy consumption and enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If heating capacity is increased to reduce heating time, then heating duration is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts heating capacity based on real-time water temperature measurements and environmental conditions. The controller modulates the heater output to match the actual heating needs, preventing both overheating and unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining optimal heating duration.
Solution Approach 2:
Temperature sensors continuously monitor water temperature and provide feedback to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to adjust heating operations in real-time, optimizing the balance between heating duration and energy consumption by stopping heating when target temperature is reached.
2Reliability
If equipment operates continuously to maintain water parameters, then water quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system and chemical dosing operate periodically rather than continuously. The controller monitors water parameters and activates equipment only when adjustments are needed, maintaining water quality while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses automated sensors and controllers to monitor and adjust water parameters without constant human intervention. The equipment serves itself by detecting when maintenance is needed and performing adjustments automatically, ensuring reliable water quality management with minimal energy waste.
3Productivity
If multiple sensors and control systems are added to optimize heating, then heating efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: monitoring temperature, controlling heating, managing circulation, and coordinating chemical dosing. By making the controller multi-functional, the system achieves high heating efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity, as one component performs multiple optimization tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines temperature sensing, heating control, circulation management, and chemical dosing into an integrated control system. This merging of functions reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate independent systems for each function, while maintaining high heating efficiency through coordinated operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A managed water system can include a first body of water contained in a vessel. The managed water system can also include at least one sensor device that measures at least one parameter associated with the first body of water. The managed water system can further include a circulation system that circulates the body of water relative to the vessel. The managed water system can also include a controller communicably coupled to the at least one sensor device and the circulation system. The controller can control the circulation system, and receive measurements of the at least one parameter made by the at least one sensor device. The controller can also evaluate the measurements using multiple algorithms, and communicate a result of evaluating the measurements.