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Prof.

Mario Motta
095146 - IMPIANTI TECNICI DEGLI EDIFICI
Hydronic systems
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Hydronic systems:
ronics is the use of water as the heat-transfer meium in heating
an cooling sstems. Are part of an air conitioning sstem an that
link the central plant, chiller/boiler, air-hanling units (As), an
terminals.
Types of Water System
hille Water Sstem;
ot Water Sstems;
Dual-Temperature Water Sstem;
onenser Water Sstem;
lose sstem;
Open sstem.
Hydronic or water systems
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Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
ChiIIed Water System:
n a chille water sstem, water is first coole in the water chiller
the evaporator of a reciprocating, screw, or centrifugal
refrigeration sstem locate in a centralize plant to 4.4 to
10.0.
t is then pumpe to the water cooling coils in As an terminals
in which air is coole an ehumiifie. After flowing through the
coils, the chille water increases in temperature up to 15.6 to
18.3 an then returns to the chiller.
hille water is wiel use as a cooling meium in central
hronic air conitioning sstems.
f temperature is below 3.3, inhibite glcols, such as ethlene
glcol or proplene glcol, ma be ae to water to create an
aqueous solution with a lower freezing point.
Hydronic or water systems
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Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Hot Water Systems:
These sstems use hot water at temperatures between 66 an
220 for space an process heating purposes.
DuaI-Temperature Water System:
hille or hot water is supplie to the coils in As an terminals
an is returne to the water chiller or boiler mainl through the
following two istribution sstems:
1. se suppl an return main an branch pipes separatel.
2. se the common suppl an return mains, branch pipe, an
coil for hot an chille water suppl an return.
n 2. the changeover from chille water to hot water an vice
versa in a builing has to be consiere as it epens mainl on
the space requirements an the temperature of outoor air.
Hydronic or water systems
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Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Condenser Water System:
n a conenser water or cooling water sstem, the latent heat of
conensation is remove from the refrigerant in the conenser b
the conenser water.
The meium (water) is either from the cooling tower or it is surface
water taken from a lake, river, sea, or well.
or an absorption refrigeration sstem, heat is also remove from
the solution b cooling water in the absorber.
The temperature of the conenser water epens mainl on the
local climate.
Hydronic or water systems
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Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Characterisation according to their operating
characteristics:
CIosed System. n a close sstem, chille or hot water flowing
through the coils, heaters, chillers, boilers, or other heat
exchangers forms a close recirculating loop. n a close sstem,
water is not expose to the atmosphere uring its flowing process.
Hydronic or water systems
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Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Open System. n an open sstem, the water is expose to the
atmosphere. or example, chille water comes irectl into contact with
the coole an ehumiifie air in the air washer, an conenser water
is expose to atmosphere air in the cooling tower. Open sstems nee
more water treatments than close sstems because ust an
impurities in the air ma be transmitte to the water in open sstems. A
greater quantit of makeup water is require in open sstems to
compensate for evaporation, rift carrover, or blow-own operation.
Hydronic or water systems
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Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Once-Through System. n a once-through sstem, water flows through
the heat exchanger onl once an oes not recirculate, Lake, river, well,
or seawater use as conenser cooling water represents a once-
through sstem. Although the water cannot recirculate to the conenser
because of its rise in temperature after absorbing the heat of
conensation, it can still be use for other purposes, such as flushing
water in a plumbing sstem after the necessar water treatments, to
conserve water. n man locations, the law requires that well water be
pumpe back into the groun..
Hydronic or water systems
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Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
The heating an cooling capacit of water when it flows through a heat
exchanger Q
w
(W), can be calculate as

w
= I

p cp Iw
i
- Iw
o
= m c
p
AT
I

volume flow of water, (m


3
/s)
p ensit of water, (kg/m
3
)
c
p
specific heat of water, (J /kg)
T
we
,T
wl
are temperature of water entering an leaving heat exchanger ()
AT temperature rop or rise of water after flowing through heat exchanger, ()
ChiIIers: T
wl
shoul be no lower than 2.8 to prevent freezing. f is lower than
brine, ethlene glcol, or proplene glcol shoul be use.
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Operating parameters: VF, T and T
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
DuaI-temperature water system:
the hot water temperature leaving the boiler often ranges from 35 to 65,
an returns at a temperature between 15 an 35).
n most of them the value of I

an the pipe size are etermine base on


the cooling capacit requirement for the coils an water coolers. This is
because chille water has a smaller AT than hot water oes.
urthermore, the sstem cooling loa is often higher than the sstem
heating loa. or instance in a chille water sstem to transport each kW
of cooling capacit, at AT of 4.4 requires 0.19 L/ s, whereas for a AT of
13.3 (heating case), is onl 0.063 L/ s.
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Operating parameters: VF, T and T
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
CooIing systems:
3 important parameters - the temperature of water entering the coil T
we
, the
temperature of water leaving the coil T
wl
, an the ifference between them are
closel relate to the performance of a chille water sstem, air sstem, an
refrigeration sstem:
T
we
irectl affects the power consumption in the compressor.
AT is closel relate to the volume flow of chille water an thus the size of
the water pipes an pumping power.
oth AT an T
we
influence the temperature an humiit ratio of air leaving
the coil.
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Operating parameters: VF, T and T
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
The maximum water velocit in pipes is governe mainl b pipe erosion,
noise, an water hammer.
rosion of water pipes is the result of the impingement of rapil
moving water containing air bubbles an impurities on the inner surface
of the pipes an fittings. t occurs onl if soli matter is containe in
water flowing at high velocit.
Velocit-epenent noise in pipes results from flow turbulence,
cavitation, release of entraine air, an water hammer that results from
the transient pressure impact on a suen close valve. Velocities
lower than 4.5 m/s o not present noise problems.
n some cases (such as enhancing the heat-transfer coefficients) the
maximum water velocity in certain short sections of a water sstem ma
be raise at about 3.0 m/s. ut normal water velocit values are about
1.5 m/s
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Operating parameters: veIocity and p
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
n coils an heat exchangers: water velocit has to be kept normall
above 0.6 m/s. elow the risk is to become laminar, seriousl impairing
the heat-transfer characteristics (with Re about 10,000, within the
transition region).
Water velocit shoul also be maintaine at not less 0.6 (0.3) m/s in
orer to transport the entraine air to air vents.
Pipes sizing: the optimum pressure rop (m), is a compromise between
energ costs an investments. At the same time, the age corrosion of
pipes shoul be consiere.
enerall, the pressure rop for water pipes insie builings is between
100 to 400 Pa/m (250 Pa/m use often). ecause of a lower increase in
installation cost for smaller-iameter pipes, it coul make sense to use a
lower pressure rop (250 Pa/m) when the pipe iameter is 2in. or less.
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Operating parameters: veIocity and p
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Age corrosion results in an increase in the friction factor an a ecrease
in the effective iameter.
The factors that contribute to age corrosion are sliming, caking of
calcareous salts, an corrosion.
t is recommene an increase in friction loss of 15 to 20 percent for
close water sstems; an a 75 to 90 percent increase in friction loss for
open water sstems.
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Operating parameters: veIocity and p
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
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Operating parameters: veIocity and p
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
t is a common practice to limit the water velocit to no more than 1.5 m/s
for water pipes 50 mm (2in.) or less in iameter in orer to prevent an
excessive pressure rop (hea loss). The pressure rop shoul not
excee 400 Pa/m for water pipes of greater than 2-in. (50-mm) iameter.
ext figures show the pressure rop charts for steel, copper, an plastic
pipes, respectivel, for close water sstems. ach chart shows the
volume flow (L/s), pressure rop (mm2O/m or Pa/m), water velocit
(m/s), an water pipe iameter D (mm).
iven an two of these parameters, the other two can be etermine.
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Operating parameters: veIocity and p
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
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Operating parameters: veIocity and p
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
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Operating parameters: veIocity and p
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
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Operating parameters: veIocity and p
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
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Operating parameters: veIocity and p
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
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Operating parameters: veIocity and p
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
or water sstems, the piping materials most wiel use are steel,
both black (plain) an galvanize (zinc-coate); uctile iron an cast
iron; har copper; an polvinl chlorie (PV).
The piping materials for various services are shown below:
hille water lack an galvanize steel
ot water lack steel, har copper
ooling water an rains lack steel, galvanize uctile iron,
PV
opper, galvanize steel, galvanize uctile iron, an PV pipes have
better corrosion resistance than black steel pipes. Technical
requirements, as well as local customs, etermine the selection of
piping materials.
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Piping materiaI
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
opper tubes: Soft pipes applications for which the pipe will be bent in
the fiel.
Thermoplastic plastic pipes: most wiel use in air conitioning.
Dimensions that match steel pipes imensions. The avantages
inclue resistance to corrosion, scaling, an the growth of algae an
fungi. Plastic pipes have smooth surfaces an negligible age
allowance. Most are low in cost, especiall compare with corrosion-
resistant metal tubes. The isavantages of plastic pipes inclue the
fact that their pressure ratings ecrease rapil when the water
temperature rises above 40. PV pipes are weaker than metal pipes
an must usuall be thicker than steel pipes if the same working
pressure is to be maintaine.
Plastic pipes ma experience expansion an contraction uring
temperature changes that is 4 times greater than that of steel.
Precautions must be taken to protect plastic pipes from external
amage an to account for its behavior uring fire. Some local coes
o not permit the use, necessar to check with local authorities.
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Piping materiaI
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
n a water sstem, the maximum allowable working pressure an
temperature are not limite to the pipes onl; joints or the pipe fittings,
especiall valves, ma often be the weak links.
During temperature changes, all pipes expan an contract. The esign of
water pipes must take into consieration this expansion an contraction.
oth the temperature change uring the operating perio an the possible
temperature change between the operating an shutown perios shoul
also be consiere.
or chille an conenser water, which has a possible temperature change
of 4.0 to 40, expansion an contraction cause consierable movement in
a long run of piping. nexpecte expansion an contraction cause excess
stress an possible failure of the pipe, pipe support, pipe joints, an fittings.
xpansion an contraction of hot an chille water pipes can be better
accommoate b using loops an bens. The commonl use bens are
bens, Z bens, an L bens, as shown further.
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Working Pressure and Temperature
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Anchors are the points where the pipe is fixe so that it will expan or
contract between them. Reaction forces at these anchors shoul be
consiere when the support is being esigne.
Several empirical formulas are present in litterature to calculate the main
parameters characterising the "expansion loops
f there is no room to accommoate , Z, or L bens (such as in high-rise
builings or tunnels), mechanical expansion joints are use to compensate
for movement uring expansion. Packe expansion joints allow the pipe to
slie to accommoate movement uring expansion. Various tpes of
packing are use to seal the sliing surfaces in orer to prevent leakage.
Another tpe of mechanical joint uses bellows or flexible metal hose to
accommoate movement. These tpes of joints shoul be carefull
installe to avoi istortion.
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Piping support
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
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Piping support
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Tpes of piping support inclue hangers, which hang the pipe from
above; supports, which usuall use brackets to support the pipe from
below; anchors to control the movement of the piping; an guies to
guie the axial movement of the piping.
Piping support: (Vincoli tubazioni istribuzione) mechanical elements
use in orer to balance the forces, static an namic, which normall
are present on a istribution network.
Static forces: pipes weight, flui weight, weight of other components
(valves, pumps, insulation, etc.). Dnamic forces: thermal expansion
Supports have to be installe in orer to avoi:
xcessive forces close to joints an wele or flange connections;
Wave paths, which coul cause air bags (heating plants) an
conensate pouns (steam plants).
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Piping support
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
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Piping support
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
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Piping support
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
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Piping support
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
xternal pipe insulation shoul be provie when the insie water
temperature is higher than 40 or lower than 15.6, for the sake of
energ saving, surface conensation, an high-temperature safet
protection.
The optimum thickness of the insulation of pipes epens mainl on the
operating temperature of the insie water, the pipe iameter, an the
tpes of service (see heat transfer through a cilinrical surface).
There is a compromise between initial cost an operation energ costs,
which set the minimum pipe insulation. Moreover often local legislation
efines minimum pipes insulation thickness for specific applications:
heating, cooling, refrigereation, D, ect.
nsulation shall be protecte from amage incluing that because of
sunlight, moisture, conensation an win..
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Piping InsuIation
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Water System Pressurization ControI
or an open water sstem, the maximum operating gauge pressure is the
pressure at a specific point in the sstem where the positive pressure
exerte b the water pumps, to overcome the pressure rops across the
equipment, components, fittings, an pipes plus the static hea ue to the
vertical istance between the highest water level an that point, is at a
maximum.
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Water system pressurization and the
presence of air
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Water System Pressurization ControI
n a close chille or hot water sstem, a variation in the water temperature
will cause an expansion of water that ma raise the water pressure above
the maximum allowable pressure. The purposes of sstem pressurization
control for a close water sstem are as follows:
To limit the pressure of the water sstem to below its allowable working
pressure
To maintain a pressure higher than the minimum water pressure
require to vent air
To assist in proviing a pressure higher than the net positive suction
hea (PS) at the pump suction to prevent cavitation
To provie a point of known pressure in the sstem
xpansion tanks, pressure relief valves, pressure-reucing valves for
makeup water, an corresponing controls are use to achieve water
sstem pressurization control.
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Water system pressurization and the
presence of air
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
OT is a evice that allows for the
expansion an contraction of water
containe in a close water sstem when
the water temperature changes between
two preetermine limits. Another
function: provie a point of known
pressure in a water sstem.
An open expansion tank is vente to the
atmosphere an is locate at the highest
point of the water sstem (at least 1m)
Makeup water is supplie through a float
valve, an an internal overflow rain is
alwas installe.
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Open Expansion Tank
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
OT is often connecte to suction sie of
the pump to prevent the water pressure
from ropping below the atmospheric
pressure. The pressure of the liqui level
in OT is equal to the atmospheric
pressure (provies reference to etermine
pressure at an point).
The minimum tank volume shoul be at
least 6% of the volume of water in the
sstem. An OT is simple, stable in terms
of sstem pressure characteristics, low
cost; installe inoors or outoors
(freezing prevention). ecause the water
surface is expose to the atmosphere,
oxgen is more easil absorbe into the
water corrosion. ecause of these
isavantages, OT has nowas
onl limite applications.
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Open Expansion Tank
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
A T is an airtight tank fille with air or
other gases. When the temperature of
the water increases, the water volume
expans. xcess water then enters the
tank. The air in the tank is compresse,
which raises the sstem pressure. When
the water temperature rops, the water
volume contracts, resulting in a reuction
of the sstem pressure.
To reuce the amount of air issolve in
the water so as to prpevent corrosion
an prevent air noise, a iaphragm, or a
blaer, is often installe in the close
expansion tank to separate the fille
air an the water permanentl. Such an
expansion tank is calle a iaphragm, or
blaer, expansion tank.
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CIosed Expansion Tank
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
A T is either a plain close expansion
tank (no iaphragm to separate air an
water), or a iaphragm tank.
n water sstem with onl one T, the
junction between the close expansion
tank an the water sstem is a point of
fixe pressure. At this point, water
pressure remains constant whether or
not the pump is operating because the
fille air pressure epens on onl the
volume of water in the sstem. The
pressure, uner p ieal gas, is
etermine accoring to:
I = nR
I
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CIosed Expansion Tank
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
The pressure in a close expansion tank
uring the initial filling process or at the
minimum operating pressure is calle the
fill pressure p
fil
. The fill pressure is often
use as the reference pressure to
etermine the pressure characteristics of
a water sstem.
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CIosed Expansion Tank
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
f a T (fille volume) is too small, the sstem pressure will excee the
maximum allowable pressure an cause water to ischarge from the
pressure relief valve. f a T is too large, when water temperature rops,
the sstem pressure ma ecrease to a level below the minimum allowable
value an cause trouble in the air vent. Therefore, accurate sizing of a
close expansion tank is essential.
or iaphragm expansion tanks, the minimum volume of the water tank, V
t
,
(m3), can be calculate b the following formula,
V
t
= Vs

- - So(I - I
- pp
where
T1 lower temperature,(); T2 higher temperature (chw summer, heat. fill,
(); V
s
volume of water in sstem, (m
3
); p1 absolute pressure at lower
temperature, (kPa abs.); p2 absolute pressure at higher temperature, (kPa
abs.); v1, v2 specific volume of water at lower an higher temperature,
respectivel, (m3 /kg); o linear coefficient of thermal expansion; for steel,
1.2 x 10
-5
per ; for copper, 1.7 10
-5
per )
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Size of Diaphragm Expansion Tank
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
The location of the pump in a water sstem that uses a iaphragm
expansion tank shoul be arrange so that the pressure at any point in
the water system is greater than the atmospheric pressure.
n such an arrangement, air oes not leak into the sstem, an the require
net positive suction hea (PS) can be maintaine at the suction inlet of
the water pump.
A water pump Iocation commonl use for hot water systems with
iaphragm expansion tanks is just after the expansion tank and the
boiIer. n this arrangement, the pressure at the pump suction is the sum of
the water pressure an the fill pressure. n another often-use
arrangement, the iaphragm expansion tank is move to the highest point
of the water sstem, an the pump is still locate after the boiler.
n a chiIIed water system, the location of the chille water pump is usuall
before the water chiller, an the iaphragm expansion tank is usuall
connecte to the suction sie of the water pump.
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Pump Location
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
n a close recirculate water sstem, air an nitrogen are present in forms:
issolve in water, free air or gas bubbles, or pockets of air or gas. The
behavior of air or gas issolve in liquis is escribe b enrs equation.
enrs equation states that the amount of gas dissoIved in a Iiquid at
constant temperature is directIy proportionaI to the absoIute pressure
of that gas acting on the Iiquid:
x = p/
where x = amount of issolve gas in solution, percent b volume
p = partial pressure of that gas, = enrs constant; changes with
temperature
The lower the water temperature an the higher the total pressure of the
water an issolve gas, the greater the maximum amount of issolve gas
at that pressure an temperature.
When the issolve air or gas in water reaches its maximum amount at that
pressure an temperature, the water becomes saturate.
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Air in Water Systems
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
An excess air or gas, as well as the coexisting water vapor, can exist onl
in the form of free bubbles or air pockets. A water velocit greater than 0.6
m/s can carr air bubbles along with water.
When water is in contact with air at an air-water interface, such as the fille
airspace in a plain close expansion tank, the concentration graient
causes air to iffuse into the water until the water is saturate at that
pressure an temperature. An equilibrium forms between air an water
within a certain time (e.g., 24h).
The oxgen in air that is issolve in water is unstable. t reacts with steel
pipes to form oxies an corrosion. Therefore, after air has been issolve
in water for a long enough time, onl nitrogen remains as a issolve gas
circulating with the water.
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Air in Water Systems
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
lose water sstems, incluing hot, chille, an ual-temperature
sstems, can be characterize as follows:
Constant or VariabIe FIow.
A constant-flow water sstem is a sstem for which the volume flow at an
cross-sectional plane in the suppl or return mains remains constant uring
the operating perio. Three-wa mixing valves are use to moulate the
water flow rates to the coils.
n a variable-flow sstem, all or part of the volume flow varies when the
sstem loa changes uring the operating perio. Two-wa valves are use
to moulate the water flow rates to the coils or terminals.
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CIosed water systems characteristics
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Direct Return or
Reverse Return.
n a irect-return water
sstem, the various
branch piping circuits,
such as AA an
AA, are not
equal in length. areful
balance is often
require to establish the
esign flow rates for a
builing loop when a
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CIosed water systems characteristics
irect-return istribution
loop is use as escribe in later sections. n a reverse-return sstem, the
piping lengths for each branch circuit, incluing the main an branch pipes,
are almost equal.
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
entrifugal pumps are the most wiel use pumps for transporting chille
water, hot water, an conenser water in VAR sstems because of
their high efficienc an reliable operation.
entrifugal pumps accelerate liqui an convert the velocit of the liqui to
static hea. A tpical centrifugal pump consists of an impeller rotating insie
a spiral casing, a shaft, mechanical seals an bearings on both ens of the
shaft, suction inlets, an a ischarge outlet (see ex. Section).
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CentrifugaI pumps
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
46
CIosed water systems characteristics
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Two Pipe or Four Pipe. n a ual-temperature water sstem, the water
piping from the boiler or chiller to the coils an the terminals, or to various
zones in a builing, can be either a two-pipe sstem, with a suppl main
an a return main or a four-pipe sstem, with a hot water suppl main, a hot
water return main, a chille water suppl main, an a chille water return
main.
or a two-pipe sstem, it is impossible to heat an cool two ifferent
coils or terminals in the same zone simultaneousl. hangeover from
summer cooling moe operation to winter heating moe operation is
require.
A four-pipe sstem oes not nee changeover operation. hille an hot
water can be supplie to the coils or terminals simultaneousl. owever, a
four-pipe sstem requires a greater installation cost.
n the past, there was also a three-pipe sstem with a hot water suppl
main, a chille water suppl main, an a common return main. or
reasons the are not in use anmore.
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CIosed water systems characteristics
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
entrifugal pumps are the most wiel use pumps for transporting chille
water, hot water, an conenser water in VAR sstems because of
their high efficienc an reliable operation.
entrifugal pumps accelerate liqui an convert the velocit of the liqui to
static hea. A tpical centrifugal pump consists of an impeller rotating insie
a spiral casing, a shaft, mechanical seals an bearings on both ens of the
shaft, suction inlets, an a ischarge outlet
et Positive Suction ea (PS): The lowest absolute water pressure at
the suction inlet of the centrifugal pump must excee the saturate vapor
pressure at the corresponing water temperature. f the absolute pressure
is lower than the saturate vapor pressure, the water evaporates an a
vapor pocket forms between the vanes in the impeller. As the pressure
increases along the water flow, the vapor pocket collapses an ma
amage the pump. This phenomenon is calle cavitation.
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CentrifugaI pumps
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Moulation of the volume flow rate of a pump-piping sstem can be one b
means of the following:
Throttle the volume flow b using a valve. As the valve closes its
opening, the flow resistance of the pump-piping sstem increases. A new
sstem curve is forme, which results in having a new sstem operating
point that moves along the pump curve to the left-han sie of the
original curve, with a lower volume flow rate an higher total hea. Such
behavior is known as riing on the curve. sing the valve to moulate
the volume flow rate of a pump-piping sstem alwas wastes energ
because of the hea loss across the valves.
Turn water pumps on or off in sequence for pump-piping sstems that
have multiple pumps in a parallel connection. Moulation of the volume
flow rate b means of turning water pumps on an off often results in a
suen rop or increase in volume flow rate an hea, as shown b
sstem operating points P, Q, an T in igure.
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ModuIation of Pump-Piping Systems
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
50
ModuIation of Pump-Piping Systems
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Var the pump spee to moulate the volume flow an the hea of a pump-
piping sstem. When the spee of the pump is varie from n1 to n2 an
then to n3, new pump curves P2 an P3 are forme. The sstem operating
point will move from point P to Q an then to T along the sstem curve, with
a lower volume flow rate, hea, an input pump power. Varing the pump
spee requires the lowest pump power input in comparison with other
moulation methos.
51
ModuIation of Pump-Piping Systems
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
52
Operation of chiIIed water systems
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Often chille an hot water sstems in commercial central hronic air
conitioning sstems have their central plant locate in the basement,
rooftop, or equipment floors of the builing.
The hot/chille water from the boiler/chiller in the central plant is then
supplie to the coils an terminals of various zones in one builing or in
ajacent builings b means of suppl istribution pipes. Water returns from
the coils an terminals to the central plant via the return mains.
oil Loa an hille Water Volume low: n As or fan coils, two-wa
control valves are currentl wiel use to moulate the water volume flow
rate so as to maintain a preetermine air ischarge temperature or space
temperature at reuce sstem loas. oils, (mainl oversize) operate at
esign loa usuall less than 5% of operating time.
During part-loa operation, the require fraction of esign volume flow rate
of chille water flowing through a coil is not equal to the fraction of esign
sensible coil loa Qcs (W) which is the sensible heat transfer from the coil
to the conitione air.
53
Operation of chiIIed water systems
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
where Ao outer surface area of coil, (m2); o overall heat-transfer
coefficient base on outer area, (W/m2); Tm logarithmic temperature
between conitione air an chille water, ()
f volume flow rate V
w
is reuce, the ecrease in the prouct of AooTm
is not the same as the reuction in the chille water volume flow rate. When
V
w
rops, the outer surface area Ao remains the same an o is slightl
reuce. Onl a consierable rise in chille water temperature across the
coil Tw,c = Twl - Twe, can reuce Tm sufficientl to match the reuction
of Qcs. The igure is obtaine for entering water an entering air
temperatures that remain constant at various fractions of the esign flow.
54
Operation of chiIIed water systems
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
Theoreticall, when the sensible coil loa Qcs is reuce to 0.6 of the
esign value, the chille water volume flow rate shoul be ecrease to
about 0.25 of the esign volume flow rate to match the reuction of Qcs.
Meanwhile, the power input at the shaft of the variable-spee pump is onl
about 8 percent of its esign brake horsepower. There is a tremenous
savings in pump power for a variable-flow sstem compare to a constant-
flow sstem.
hiller Plant: a central plant is often installe with multiple chillers (2 to 4).
Multiple chillers are usuall connecte in parallel. ach chiller is often
installe with a pump that has the same V
w
as the chiller, therefore it is more
convenient to turn the chillers on or off in sequence. Dut: provie aequate
chille water flow an cooling capacit that the As an fan coils require.
suall, a fairl constant-volume flow in the evaporator of the water chiller is
preferable to avoi an extremel high temperature rop in the chiller an to
prevent water from freezing at a reuce flow uring part-loa operation. A
constant flow of chille water in chillers is also beneficial to the capacit
control of multiple chillers.
55
Operation of chiIIed water systems
Prof. Mario Motta - Dipartimento di Energia
heck our calculations
Water Sstems configurations
enerators
56
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