Abstract
Developments in pump technology provide new possibilities of improving both the efficiency and the quality of control of hydronic heating and cooling systems. Improved pump efficiency and direct flow control can substantially reduce the drive power to circulation pumps. Measurements show that a simple VSD (variable speed drive) does not unduly degrade the efficiency of commonly used pumps. An example from a residential heat pump installation indicates possible savings of around 30 % of the total drive energy to the heat pump. Another example illustrates how direct flow control can simplify systems and reduce electric drive power in supply‐air conditioning systems.
Highlights
Buildings employ numerous small and medium-sized pumps and fans in HVAC systems
In indirect supermarket cooling systems it is not uncommon that the energy for pump operation exceeds the drive energy for refrigeration compressors
The energy saving opportunities will be illustrated by results of simple laboratory measurements on pump efficiency and control, field measurements on a residential heat pump and calculations on three typical connections of air heaters and coolers
Summary
Due to the low rated power of the individual components, interest in their efficiency and operation has so far been low. The overall efficiency of the smallest units may be well below 10 % and their numbers and long operating hours result in substantial electric energy use. Developments in motor controls provide new possibilities of improving both the efficiency and quality of control. Direct flow control can render superfluous many balancing and control valves of traditional systems. Most of the pressure drop in current systems has been introduced to make the systems controllable. This pressure drop is unnecessary with direct pump control. Pump power may be substantially reduced just by a new control principle. Recent improvements in pump and motor technology can add further savings
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