44 th annual conference & technical exhibition by thomas hartman, p.e. the hartman company...

44th Annual Conference & Technical Exhibition

ByThomas Hartman, P.E.The Hartman CompanyGeorgetown, Texaswww.hartmanco.com

Sustainable Chilled Water Systems


Session Outline

• Overview: New Directions Required for Sustainability

• Plant Issues: What Equipment, What Configurations

• Chilled Water Distribution: What Are the Objectives

• Summary – Conclusion – Questions - Discussion



Keys in Configuring a Sustainable Chiller Plant

• BEWARE! A Lot of Traps

• Explore new directions and technologies

• Incorporate Effective Performance Measurement

• Establish Accountability



Managing Development of a Sustainable Chiller Plant

• LEADERSHIP! Be Directed and In Charge

• Set Aggressive Performance Goals

• Incorporate Effective Performance Measurement

• Establish Accountability



The Equal Marginal Performance Principle



Equal Marginal Performance Principle Based Control



Characteristics of Cooling Loads for Various Climates



1 While Constant Speed Chiller Efficiency is nearly constant between 60% & 100% loading, the Efficiency of Variable Speed Centrifugal Chillers increases dramatically as load falls in that range.

2 The Efficiency of Variable Speed Centrifugal Chillers is more significantly improved by the reduction in Condensing Water Temperature.

The Variable Speed Difference

Variable vs. Constant Speed Chiller Performance



"Natural Curve" Of VS Centrifugal Chiller

The "Natural Curve" of a variable speed centrifugal chiller is shown as the black line. The Natural Curve is the locus of load points at various condenser and evaporator conditions at which the highest operating efficiency is achieved.

To achieve optimum performance, chillers should be sequenced such that the on-line chillers operate as close as possible to their Natural Curve.



Tower Approach Temperature For 3 Tower System

At lower wet bulb temperatures, the approach of cooling towers rises due to reduced moisture capacity of cooler air. By keeping towers on line and slowing fans and pumps, greater air and water volumes pass over larger surface areas per unit energy expended to improve part load approach temperatures, as shown in this chart.

The total power to fans and pumps is the same for the variable speed and constant speed systems at each condition. Note the improved approach by slowing, not shedding towers at low loads.



Chiller Plant with Conventional Controls

Equipment is operated independently with local PID temperature and pressure loops. Chillers and towers are sequenced to keep on-line equipment as fully loaded as possible. Plant optimization, if it is applied at all, requires another level of control that continuously resets the various setpoints, which can reduce overall system stability.



All-Variable Speed Demand Based Control

Equipment is connected via an integrated network and operation is coordinated to maintain lowest overall energy use at all load conditions using demand based control and natural curve sequencing of equipment. Unless incorporated as design criteria, temperature and pressure setpoints are not employed except as operating limits.



Network Enabled Demand Based Control Of All-Variable Speed Chiller Plants

Control Features:• Simple Direct Control Relationships between Chillers, Pumps and

Tower Fans• "Natural Curve" Sequencing of chillers

Benefits:• Ultra-Efficient Plant Operation• Simpler and More Stable Plant Operation• Longer Life for Equipment and Lower Maintenance Costs



Sustainable Chilled Water Plants

• Ultra Efficient All-Variable speed chiller plants are generally configured the same conventional plants, but must employ new operating strategies to achieve efficient operation.

• Network enabled Demand Based Control provides ultra-efficient, simple and stable control for all-variable speed chiller plants.

• Implementing all-variable speed plants successfully requires special emphasis on performance



All-Variable Speed/Flow Distribution Systems

• Background: Current distribution systems• New Choices: Why all-variable flow distribution systems work

well with variable speed chillers • Application: Developing effective all-variable flow chilled water

distribution systems.• Scale: Large scale primary/ booster all-variable flow chilled water

distribution systems



Primary/Secondary CHW Distribution System



Variable Primary Flow CHW Distribution System



Variable Speed Pump Operation Comparison



Improving Efficiency of Variable Flow Distribution System for Demand Based Control

• Reduce the pressure drop through chilled water valves. Line size valves with zero pressure drop at full flow are effective if they are properly controlled.

• Operate chilled water pumps with network control that reacts to actual demand for flow by the valves served and sequence pumps to so that on-line pumps operate as close as possible to their natural curve.



Demand Based Control Applied to Distribution System Elements

Valve Control:Multivariable "Intelligent Iterative Control" is used whereby valve adjustment is based on setpoint error, pump speed, chilled water temperature, and current valve position.

Pump Control:"Orifice area" pump speed control adjusts speed based on percent of total valve orifice area currently open and further adjusted by the number of valves nearly wide open. Pump Sequencing is based on "natural curve" principle.



Demand Based Control of Variable Flow Distribution System



Network Enabled Demand Based Control Of All-Variable Speed Distribution Systems

Control Features:•Line sized valves for near zero pressure drop.•Simple and direct "Valve Orifice Area" control of chilled water pumps•Distribution pumps sequence with chillers according to "Natural Curve"

Benefits:•Ultra-Efficient integrated system operation.•Simpler and more stable plant operation•Longer life for equipment and lower maintenance costs



Demand Based Control of All-Variable Flow Primary/Booster Distribution System



Sustainable Chilled Water Distribution Systems

• All-variable speed chilled water distribution systems are configured very similar to newer conventional systems, but employ new operating strategies.

• Network enabled iterative and demand based control provide ultra-efficient, simple and stable control for all-variable speed distribution systems.

• When properly configured and operated new technology all-variable speed chilled water distribution systems ensure every load served is satisfied while providing ultra-efficient operation.



Implementing All-Variable Speed Chilled Water Systems

WHY? Achieves approximately 0.5 kW/ton overall annual plant &

distribution system performance – about half the energy use of most existing plants.

Simple, stable, ultra-efficient control with reduced system maintenance.

HOW? Network control coordinates all-variable speed equipment for

optimum operation in response to actual demand on system.Plant is designed for direct control among components, and

distribution system to minimize pressure drops and variations



Success With All-Variable Speed Chiller Plants

• New variable speed system technologies require special effort through design/construction/turnover

• Owner/Designer team must work together to ensure all problems will be solved

• Nearly every chiller plant is a good potential application for all-variable speed technologies

• Focus on Performance. Let overall plant performance drive the selection of configuration, equipment and controls

• Be certain the project incorporates measurement and verification and accountability for achieving projected performance



Next Steps Toward a Sustainable Chilled Water System

1. Instrument current facility or facilities to obtain actual energy used to generate and distribute chilled water.

2. Calculate the potential avoided costs by converting to an ultra-efficient all-variable speed chilled water system.

3. Develop cost-effective budgets, goals and target dates to implement a conversion to a more sustainable system.

4. Implement the project or projects required to achieve the targeted plant performance.

5. Incorporate performance verification and performance accountability to ensure the goals are achieved and maintained.



ByThomas Hartman, P.E.The Hartman CompanyGeorgetown, Texaswww.hartmanco.com


Questions & Discussion

44 th annual conference & technical exhibition by thomas hartman, p.e. the hartman company...

Documents