A study on the energy performance of a cooling plant system: Air-conditioning in a semiconductor factory

This paper will focus on the energy performance evaluation of a cooling plant system in a semiconductor factory. Several energy saving technologies namely: integrated cooling towers, free cooling systems, control of the chilled water quantity, etc., have been adopted to improve efficiency of the cooling plant system. We have collected actual operating data for 2 years and evaluated the performance of chillers’ COP and the whole cooling plant system's COP and they showed satisfactory results even if the thermal load of the factory was about half compared with design phase assumption.

We also have verified each effect of the energy saving technologies through model-based simulation analysis. The annual electric power consumption dropped about 35% compared to conventional cooling plant systems in case of design phase thermal load. And the faulty status operation of the chiller's number control miss occurred while we monitored. Electric power consumption increased about 17% compared to normal status operation at the same period.     

An alternative approach for the performance rating of air-cooled chillers used in air-conditioned buildings

Air-cooled chillers are widely used to provide cooling energy for air-conditioned buildings at the expense of considerable electricity. The (Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute) ARI standard 550/590 sets out a rating condition to specify the coefficient of performance (COP) of the chillers under part-load conditions. This condition was found to be insufficient to deal with diverse operating conditions under the multiple chiller arrangement. This paper proposes an alternative approach to specifying more precisely the chiller COP under part-load conditions. It is desirable to establish a set of part-load performance curves showing how the chiller COP varies with the condensing temperature at various combinations of chiller loads and outdoor temperatures. The results of this paper will give engineers and researchers a better idea about how to specify the upper limit of condensing temperature for more energy efficient chillers and how chiller COP curves help compare air-cooled chillers for buildings in any climate zone and to estimate the annual electricity consumption of chillers satisfying any given building cooling load profile.     

Effects of utilizing seawater as a cooling source system in a commercial complex

This paper treats energy and cost performance of a cooling source system with indirect seawater utilization for air conditioning in a commercial complex. Seawater utilization has merits as a cooling source, because seawater temperature is lower than outdoor air in summer and it is cost effective because there is no water monetary cost. Actual operating data has been measured for about 2 years and the chiller and system co-efficient of performance (COP) have indicated about 4.77 and 2.93, respectively, even in summer season and the mean efficiency of the thermal storage system was about 89.9% taking into account heat loss of pumps. In addition, we have constructed simulation models for cooling tower systems, air cooling chiller systems and direct seawater utilization systems then compared them to this system. The electric power consumption of the indirect seawater utilization system was almost the same as the other systems except the air cooling chiller system, because using lower seawater temperature made the chiller efficiency higher. In conclusion, our results showed the indirect seawater utilization system was able to improve the system COP compared to air cooling chiller system, and cancel water consumption compared with the cooling tower system, and cut down an initial and maintenance costs compared with the direct seawater utilization system.     

Part load performance of air-cooled centrifugal chillers with variable speed condenser fan control

Air-cooled centrifugal chillers are commonly used in commercial buildings but their performance analysis is lacking. This paper investigates the part load performance of the chillers via a thermodynamic model. The model was validated using a wide range of operating data from an existing chiller with specific settings of outdoor temperature and condensing pressure in controlling the condensing temperature. The validated model was developed specifically to ascertain the maximum coefficient of performance of chiller (COP) together with the strategy for optimizing the condensing temperature under various operating conditions. It is found that the highest COP occurs at a part load ratio (PLR) of 0.71–0.84, depending on the outdoor temperature and the control of condensing temperature, rather than at full load. Yet the chillers operating at such part load conditions will cause extra energy used for the early staging of chilled water pumps. To minimize the overall chiller plant energy consumption, it is still preferable to implement chiller sequencing based on the full load condition than on the aforementioned PLRs. The results of this paper present criteria for implementing low-energy strategies for operating air-cooled chillers satisfying a given building cooling load profile.     

Economic benefits of optimal control for water-cooled chiller systems serving hotels in a subtropical climate

A water-cooled chiller system in an air-conditioned hotel can take up about one-quarter of the total electricity consumption and considerable amounts of water in the heat rejection process. This paper evaluates operating cost savings of a chiller system integrated with optimal control of cooling towers and condenser water pumps. A sophisticated chiller system model was used to ascertain how different control methods influence the annual electricity and water consumption of chillers operating for the cooling load profile of a reference hotel. It is estimated that applying load-based speed control to the cooling tower fans and condenser water pumps could reduce the annual system electricity use by 8.6% and operating cost by 9.9% relative to the equivalent system using constant speed fans and pumps with a fixed set point of 29.4 °C for cooling water temperature control. The ways to implement this advanced control for system optimization are discussed.     

冷却塔风机运行节能之模式与策略的分析

冷却塔风机是整个冷却水系统的核心设备,其运行状况直接关系到系统性能与能耗状况.本文针对国内某办公建筑的冷却塔风机运行状况进行实测,从风机与变频器电耗、冷却塔效率、冷机COP,设备寿命与运行策略的可行性4个方面分析评价了风机运行模式和策略对能耗的影响.     

基于DPSSHP的分布式供能系统在赣南地区的研究

赣南地区城市污水排放量较大,工业废水富含大量余热。发展基于直接式原生污水源热泵(Direct Primary Sewage Source Heat Pump,简称DPSSHP)的分布式供能系统,向建筑供冷供热,将大大降低建筑空调采暖能耗。根据赣南地区实际情况,提出了DPSSHP系统针对不同类型建筑的应用规划。选取了地下水源热泵,大型螺杆式冷水机组+燃煤锅炉,风冷式空气源热泵、DPSSHP,从系统初投资、运行费用、单位面积运行成本等方面进行经济性比较,得出DPSSHP较为经济。     

海南某数据中心空调系统设计

结合项目当地具体气候条件,综合对比多种空调系统方案,从节能效果、初投资、运行费用等各方面计算分析,找到适合本项目的 空调系统节能设计.空调设计从系统架构特点出发,利用备用机组的制冷能力,结合磁悬浮机组部分负荷效率高的优点,实际运行时冷水机组全部运行,主机负载率为70％～80％,磁悬浮主机的COP可达15以上,配合冷却塔...     

Low-energy design for air-cooled chiller plants in air-conditioned buildings

Chillers are widely used for cooling buildings in the subtropical regions at the expense of considerable energy. This paper discusses how the number and size of air-cooled chillers in a chiller plant should be designed to improve their energy performance. Using an experimentally verified chiller model, four design options were studied for a chiller plant handling the cooling load profile of an office building. Using chillers of different sizes is desirable to increase the number of steps of total cooling capacity. This enables the chillers to operate frequently at or near full load to save chiller power. Pumping energy can also be saved because of the improved control of chilled water flow whereby the chilled water supplied by the staged chillers can match with that required by air side equipment for most of the operating time. It is estimated that the annual electricity consumption of chiller plants could drop by 9.4% with the use of unequally sized chillers. The findings of this research will offer guidance on how to select chillers of different sizes for a low-energy chiller plant.     

Energy-efficient HVAC systems: Simulation–empirical modelling and gradient optimization

This paper addresses the energy saving problem of air-cooled central cooling plant systems using the model-based gradient projection optimization method. Theoretical–empirical system models including mechanistic relations between components are developed for operating variables of the system. Experimental data are collected to model an actual air-cooled mini chiller equipped with a ducted fan-coil unit of an office building located in hot and dry climate conditions. Both inputs and outputs are known and measured from field monitoring in one summer month. The development and algorithm resulting from the gradient projection, implemented on a transient simulation software package, are incorporated to solve the minimization problem of energy consumption and predict the system's optimal set-points under transient conditions. The chilled water temperature, supply air temperature and refrigerant mass flow rate are calculated based on the cooling load and ambient dry-bulb temperature profiles by using the proposed approach. The integrated simulation tool is validated by using a wide range of experimentally collected data from the chiller in operation. Simulation results are provided to show possibility of significant energy savings and comfort enhancement using the proposed strategy.     

Effects of alternative control strategies of water-evaporative cooling systems on energy efficiency and plume control: A case study

This paper reports the evaluations of energy efficiency, plume potential as well as plume control of a huge chiller plant using water-evaporative cooling towers for heat rejection for a super high-rising commercial office building in a subtropical region of Hong Kong. The evaluations were carried out in a dynamic Transient Simulation Program (TRNSYS)-based simulation platform using alternative control strategies including set-point control logics of the supply cooling water temperature and cooling tower fan modulation control methods as well as different number control means of cooling towers. The results show that different control strategies have significant effects on the energy efficiency of the chiller plant. The quantification of the energy efficiency demonstrates significant energy-saving potential by using advanced technologies for implementing optimal control strategies in this cooling system. The results also reveal that the plume may occur frequently in spring and summer seasons and occasionally in other months due to the odd subtropical weather conditions. Control strategies also have significant effects on the frequency of the plume occurrence. The effective energy efficiency control and effective plume control using wet–dry (i.e., hybrid) cooling towers are also discussed.     

上海某工厂空调系统热回收综合节能改造

冷水机组在制取冷量的同时会排放大量冷凝热,回收这部分冷凝热可使冷水机组的综合COP大幅提升,系统一次能源利用率大量提高,降低热水系统的运行成本。结合上海某工厂空调系统热回收综合节能改造的案例,分析采用冷凝热回收技术后的节能效果和经济效益,为同类工厂空调系统科学、经济、合理地设计改造和运行管理提供借鉴。     

Computational model for a ground coupled space cooling system with an underground energy storage tank

A computational model for determining annual periodic performance of a cooling system utilizing a ground coupled chiller and a spherical underground thermal energy storage tank is developed. An analytical solution for the transient heat transfer problem outside the storage tank is obtained by the application of complex finite Fourier transform (CFFT) technique. Analytical expressions for heat gain to the space and energy consumption of the chiller are acquired, and these expressions are coupled with the transient temperature field problem to obtain computational model. Variation of water temperature in the storage tank is calculated using the transient solution of the problem over an entire year for different soil, chiller, and storage tank characteristics. Temperature profile of earth surrounding the storage tank and the COP of the cooling unit are also investigated under various assumptions and varying system design and operating conditions. The results show that water temperature in the storage tank remains under ambient air temperature during summer months, and thus the proposed ground coupled cooling system should yield higher COP values compared to a corresponding air source system.     

基于分项计量数据对两种冷水机组序列启停策略的识别算法

冷水机组的序列控制方式对建筑能耗和室内热舒适有着显著的影响,如能对其进行自动识别和优化,对公共建筑节能具有重要的意义。从2008年开始,我国在全国范围内推行大型公共建筑的分项计量系统,冷热源系统的电耗是该系统的必要监测内容,该系统为自动识别冷水机组的启停策略提供了数据基础。因而,基于冷水机组的电耗数据,利用数据挖掘的算法来识别冷水机组序列启停方式的方法。该方法利用One R分类算法来实现对以建筑即时冷负荷为指标的冷水机组序列控制方式(Q-based)和以压缩机功率为指标的控制方式(P-based)这两者的区分。最后,通过对位于上海市的一栋建筑进行模拟实验来验证该算法的可行性。     

Numerical simulation and performance assessment of an absorption solar air-conditioning system coupled with an office building

To minimize environmental impact and CO₂ production associated with air-conditioning, it is reasonable to evaluate the prospects of a clean energy source. Solar energy, via thermal collectors can provide a part of the heating needs. Moreover, it can drive absorption chiller in order to satisfy the cooling needs of buildings. The objective of the work is to evaluate accurately the energy consumption of an air-conditioning system including a solar driven absorption chiller. The complete simulation environment includes the absorption chiller itself, the cooling tower, the solar collectors field, heater, storage devices, pumps, heating-cooling distribution, emission system and building. A decrease of primary energy consumption of 22% for heating and cooling is reached when using a solar air-conditioning system instead of classical heating and cooling devices. The modelling of each subsystem is detailed. TRNSYS software modular approach provides the possibility to model and simulate this complete system.     

Evaluation of alternative arrangements of a heat pump system for plume abatement in a large-scale chiller plant in a subtropical region

Heat pumps could be used to produce hot water for hybrid cooling towers for preventing the occurrence of plume in subtropical regions. The evaporative side of the heat pump system could be arranged either at the inlet side or at the outlet side of these cooling towers for cooling down the cooling water temperature. Alternatively, the evaporative side of the heat pump system could also be arranged at the evaporative side of chillers to reduce return chilled water temperature and therefore to reduce the cooling load of chillers. This study presents the evaluation of the impacts of these three arrangements of the heat pump system on the plume control performance and the energy performance in a large-scale chiller plant in Hong Kong. The performance prediction and evaluation of the chiller plant and the plume abatement system were conducted on a dynamic simulation platform. The results show that these three arrangements have almost the same plume control performance with sufficient plume control capability. The results also show that the arrangement of the evaporative side of the heat pump system for cooling down return chilled water temperature has much better performance that the other two arrangements for improving the overall energy efficiency.     

Optimum load sharing strategy for multiple-chiller systems serving air-conditioned buildings

Many central cooling systems in air-conditioned buildings have multiple chillers to meet various cooling load requirements. This paper further develops optimum load sharing strategies for the chillers in order to maximize their aggregate coefficient of performance (COP). Based on the part load performance curves of air-cooled screw chillers, it is ascertained that for two equally sized chillers operating, one should carry a full load and the other should be partially loaded to meet the system load. When two chillers of different sizes are running, the larger chiller should be fully loaded and the smaller chiller should operate at part load in order that their combined capacity satisfies the system load. Such an uneven load sharing strategy for achieving maximum COP is independent of ambient conditions and the control of condensing temperature. The variable primary flow of chilled water should be applied to chillers in order to implement the strategy. The results of this paper are useful in developing low-energy chiller plants.     

某大型空调系统能耗分析

能源问题是决定我国能否可持续发展的关键因素之一。对某大型空调系统能耗进行了测试和分析，表明冷机实际COP低于其额定COP，并且空调箱能耗占到30％-50％；另外，对系统的负荷分析表明，造成系统的供需比下降的主要原因是该系统设计本身所造成。因此，对空调系统优化运行是节能改造必不可少的一个环节；同时，如何优化空调系统各级的设定参数以及系统的划分，将会从根本上提高系统冷负荷的供需比，从而大大减少系统能耗，可为大型空调系统的运行人员、设计人员提供参考。     

北京某商业建筑温湿度独立控制空调系统的全年能耗分析

以北京某一商业建筑为模拟对象,对其空调冷负荷进行模拟,并在此基础上计算普通空调系统和温湿度独立控制空调系统的能耗.经过对能耗的比较和分析表明,温湿度独立控制空调系统的能耗比普通空调系统的能耗降低了16.4%,冷水机组全年平均性能系数提高了13%.结果表明温湿度独立控制空调系统具有很好的应用前景.     

香港环球贸易中心冷却水系统优化控制研究

提出了常规中央空调冷却水系统的优化控制策略.该控制策略是香港理工大学智能建筑研究所与香港新鸿基地产发展有限公司共同研究开发的中央空调系统系列智能优化控制策略之一.这一优化控制策略将应用在香港环球贸易中心.该方法可以自动设置系统冷却水的供水温度(即冷却塔的出水温度)以保证系统自适应于动态的工作条件并保持高效率.该方法在这一建筑及空调系统的虚拟环境下进行了测试和验证.