Agenda and Objectives Trane Engineers Newsletter Live Series Variable-Speed Drives (VSDs) and Their Effect On HVAC System Components Variable-speed drives (VSDs) can save energy, but the savings may not equal the cube of the speed in every case. This program looks at how VSDs affect the performance of pumps, cooling-tower fans, air-handler fans, and chillers, and discusses the differences in VSD control in each of these applications.. By attending this event you will be able to: 1. Explain why energy savings from VSDs vary by application and may not correspond to the cube of the speed 2. Summarize how other equipment in the system is affected when a VSD is added (to a condenser water pump, for example) 3. Identify control methods that can enhance the benefits of a VSD Agenda 1) Fan Laws a) Velocity-pressure relationships b) Darcy-Weisbach equation c) System relationships d) Fan laws 3) Free Discharge Fans a) System performance b) Fan performance c) Fan speed/efficiency curves d) Cooling tower fans 4) Air handling fans a) System resistance curves b) Fan modulation c) Control 5) Chilled Water Pumps a) ASHRAE 9.1 requirements b) Chilled water system pressure drops c) Pump curves d) System design options and comparisons e) System control options f) Energy savings 6) Condenser water pumps a) Minimum allowable flow rate b) Pump energy consumption c) System interactions d) Effect of variable condenser water flow on components e) Additional effect of variable tower speed control f) System energy comparisons g) Guidance 7) Chillers a) A commonly misused analogy b) Compressor c) The effect of Load and Lift d) Comparative discussion e) Rating methods f) System analysis
Presenters Trane Engineers Newsletter Live Series Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) and Their Effect On System Components (26) Lee Cline, PE senior principal marketing engineer Trane Lee began his 25-year tenure with Trane as a factory service engineer for heavy refrigeration equipment. While in that role, he helped introduce the three-stage CenTraVac hermetic centrifugal chiller to the industry. He also served on the team that launched Integrated Comfort systems. Lee s considerable experience with building automation and control applications, coupled with his in-depth knowledge of Trane chillers, make him a valued member of the Applications Engineering and Systems Marketing team. He holds a patents in chilled-water system control and is a registered professional engineer in the State of Wisconsin. Lee earned a bachelor s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University ( Michigan Tech ). Donald Eppelheimer, PE senior principal applications engineer Trane Don has over 34 years of experience with Trane HVAC systems and their application. His expertise encompasses variableair-volume systems and comfort cooling, with particular emphasis on direct-expansion refrigerant piping, chiller selection, chiller-plant design and control, thermal storage, and cold-air distribution. Don currently serves on the ASHRAE Journal review committee. He has also been a member of various ASHRAE committees, including TG/TB Task Group for Tall Buildings, TC 9.1 Large Building Systems, and TC9.8 Large Building Applications. Don earned his BSME from Michigan State University. W. Ryan Geister manager, chiller field sales support Trane Ryan currently leads the product field sales support team for centrifugal and absorption chillers. During his 1 years with Trane, he helped develop and support Trane s design and analysis tools, managed the systems training portion of the Trane Graduate Training Program, and served as a regional sales manager. In these positions, Ryan garnered valuable experiences in many aspects of HVAC system design by working closely with engineers, contractors, owners, office management, and sales teams for myriad applications. Ryan was recently a featured speaker for the International District Energy Association (IDEA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the American Society of Hospital Engineers (ASHE), and the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Partnership (formerly MAIOF). He earned a bachelor s degree in engineering from the University of Illinois and his a master's degree in business from the University of Wisconsin.
VSDs and Their Effect on System Components an Engineers Newsletter Live telecast Trane is a Registered Provider with The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems. Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to CES Records for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for non-aia members available on request. This program is registered with the AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at the conclusion of this presentation. All rights reserved 1
Copyrighted Materials This presentation is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws. Reproduction, distribution, display, and use of the presentation without written permission of Trane or American Standard is prohibited. 26 American Standard All rights reserved AIA continuing education Learning Objectives Participants will learn the following about varying the speed of rotating equipment: Varying speed theoretically affects energy consumption Theoretical performance doesn t occur in most HVAC situations Specific applications of different fans, pumps, and chillers yield varying levels of energy efficiency All rights reserved 2
variable-speed drives (VSDs) Today s Topics Fundamentals Speed and performance Fan laws Practical application Control signal options Effect on energy use Today s Presenters Don Eppelheimer applications engineer Lee Cline systems marketing engineer Ryan Geister manager, absorption and centrifugal chillers All rights reserved 3
VSDs in HVAC systems Effect on Components Airside Cooling tower fans Supply fans Waterside Chilled water pumps (effect on chiller performance, system control) Condenser water pumps (system interactions) Chillers Fundamentals: Speed, Performance, Fan Laws VSDs and their effect on system components All rights reserved 4
e = mc² speed of light water air 299,792,458 m/s 2 m/s 1 2 m/s 5, lbs/hr air 6, lbs/hr water All rights reserved 5
work = mass resistance Darcy-Weisbach Equation path length fluid density velocity p = f L V² D 2 g c friction factor path diameter gravitational constant All rights reserved 6
Darcy-Weisbach Equation resistance velocity² System Resistance return duct dampers supply duct coil diffusers and grilles All rights reserved 7
Fan Laws cfm rpm p hp rpm² cfm² rpm³ Chiller Laws? resistance velocity² resistance lift All rights reserved 8
Practical Application: Free Discharge Fans VSDs and their effect on system components Free Discharge System Draw-through cooling tower Propeller fan propeller fan louvers outdoor air fill sump All rights reserved 9
General Fan Performance cfm rpm p hp rpm² rpm³ system performance Static Pressure 1 static pressure, % 8 6 4 2 system resistance fixed pressure airflow, % friction pressure 2 4 6 8 1 All rights reserved 1
system performance Free Discharge System 1 static pressure, % 8 6 4 2 system resistance 2 4 6 8 1 airflow, % fan performance curves Fan Speed (N) 1 static pressure, % 8 6 4 2 N1 N2 As fan speed varies so does airflow volume 2 4 6 8 1 airflow, % All rights reserved 11
fan performance curves Speed N vs. Efficiency static pressure, % 1 8 6 4 2 2' 2 1' 1 N1 N2 2 4 6 8 1 airflow, % performance curves Fan and System 1 static pressure, % 8 6 4 2 1' 1 N1 N2 2 4 6 8 1 airflow, % All rights reserved 12
fan performance curves Cooling Tower 1 8 fan power, % 6 4 2 2 4 6 8 1 airflow, % fan performance curves Cooling Tower 1 fan and motor power, % 8 6 4 2 1-speed motor 2 4 6 8 1 airflow, % All rights reserved 13
fan performance curves Cooling Tower 1 fan and motor power, % 8 6 4 2 1-speed motor 2- speed motor 2 4 6 8 1 airflow, % fan performance curves Cooling Tower 1 fan and motor power, % 8 6 4 2 VSD 2 4 6 8 1 airflow, % All rights reserved 14
cooling tower application Fan Energy Comparison Control strategy 1-speed fan cycling (base) 2-speed fan cycling Energy use factor 1% kwh 39% kwh variable-speed control source: Marley Technical Report H-1A 19% kwh fan/tower performance curves Free Cooling at Low Load 1 1 fan and motor power, % 8 6 4 2 tower capacity 8 6 4 2 2 4 6 8 1 airflow, % tower capacity, % free cooling All rights reserved 15
free discharge fans Summary Performance approximates the cube of the speed Variable-speed drives (VSDs) are a great option for modulating capacity When considering VSDs for chilled water plants, start at the cooling tower Practical Application: Ducted Indoor Fans VSDs and their effect on system components All rights reserved 16
System Resistance static pressure 3,5 cfm 2. in. wg airflow System Resistance p = f L V² D 2 g c All rights reserved 17
System Resistance static pressure system resistance curve 3,5 cfm 2. in. wg 2, cfm.65 in. wg airflow some devices don t obey the rules for System Resistance All rights reserved 18
System Resistance valves closed valves open static pressure system resistance curve airflow VAV System actual system resistance design static pressure surge region modulation range airflow All rights reserved 19
Fan Performance static pressure blocked-tight static pressure airflow wide-open airflow Fan Speed static pressure airflow All rights reserved 2
VAV System system resistance static pressure airflow fan speed VAV System System resistance changes as valves modulate air valves 9 cfm 5 cfm T T All rights reserved 21
comparison of methods Fan Modulation 1 design power, % 8 6 4 2 BI fan with 1 discharge dampers 1 AF fan with 2 inlet vanes 2 FC fan with 3 discharge dampers FC fan with 3 4 inlet vanes 4 5 fan-speed control 5 vaneaxial fan with 6 variable-pitch blades 6 2 4 6 8 1 design airflow, % fan modulation Objectives Produce adequate static pressure Eliminate excess static pressure Exploit diversity Maximize energy savings at fan Provide stable control Keep everyone comfortable All rights reserved 22
Static Pressure Control Insufficient static pressure? VAV box delivers too little airflow Static Pressure Control Excessive static pressure? Wasted energy Poor comfort control Poor acoustics All rights reserved 23
Fan Control Loop supply fan static pressure sensor S controller VAV System Modulation system resistance actual design static pressure VAV modulation curve airflow All rights reserved 24
static pressure control Sensor at Fan Outlet supply fan S VAV boxes controller static pressure control Sensor Down 2/3 of Duct supply fan S VAV boxes controller All rights reserved 25
static pressure control Sensor Down 3/4 of Duct supply fan S VAV boxes controller static pressure control Sensor Down 3/4 of Duct supply fan S VAV boxes controller All rights reserved 26
optimized static pressure control Sensor at Fan Outlet supply fan speed or inlet vane position VAV damper positions static pressure S static pressure setpoint communicating BAS static pressure control methods Performance Comparison Control method Airflow Fan static pressure Fan input power Full-load power 24, cfm (full load) 2.7 in. wg 22 hp 1% Fan outlet 18, cfm 2.1 in. wg 13 hp 6% Supply duct 18, cfm 1.9 in. wg 12 hp 55% Optimized 18, cfm 1.5 in. wg 9.5 hp 43% All rights reserved 27
Practical Application: Pumping Water VSDs and their effect on system components why care about Pump Energy According to the DOE... Pumps represent 5% of industrial energy consumption Total cost of owning a pump is 9% energy consumption Pump energy consumption generally can be reduced by as much as 2% All rights reserved 28
pumping chilled water ASHRAE 9.1-21 Requires variable chilled water flow if: Total pump power exceeds 75 hp AND System includes > 3 control valves pumping chilled water ASHRAE 9.1-21 Requires 3% design wattage at 5% flow if: Any variable-flow pump motor > 5 hp AND Design head pressure > 1 ft Typical solution: Variable-speed drive All rights reserved 29
chilled water system Variable Primary Flow 1 75 gpm 2 75 gpm chilled water system Full-Load Pressure Drop 1 75 gpm 2 75 gpm control valve tp P All rights reserved 3
chilled water system Full-Load Pressure Drop 1 75 gpm 2 75 gpm triple-duty valve pumping system Pump & System Curves pump head, % 1 pump 8 6 design point 4 system 2 2 4 6 8 1 water flow, % All rights reserved 31
pump characteristics Power pump head, % 1 pump 8 6 4 system 2 pump power 1 5 2 4 6 8 1 water flow, % design point power variable-flow water system How Does It Unload? Depends on: Chilled-water system curve Pump curve Pump control method Ride the curve Different pump sizes Vary the speed All rights reserved 32
pump characteristics Ride the Curve pump head, % 1 8 6 4 2 part-load point system pump 1 pump power 5 2 4 6 8 1 water flow, % design point power chilled water system Part Load: Ride the Curve 1 75 gpm 2 75 gpm control valve tp coil flow All rights reserved 33
variable-flow water system How Does It Unload? Depends on: Chilled water system curve safe zone Pump curve Pump control method Ride the curve Different pump sizes Vary the speed Pump Characteristics pump head, % 1 8 6 4 2 pump system 2 4 6 8 1 water flow, % pump power 1 5 design point power All rights reserved 34
pump characteristics Different Pump Sizes pump head, % 1 8 6 4 2 pump system part-load point pump power 1 5 2 4 6 8 1 water flow, % design point power pump characteristics Different Pump Sizes pump head, % 1 8 6 4 2 pump system pump power 1 5 2 4 6 8 1 water flow, % power All rights reserved 35
pump characteristics VFD = Different Pumps 1 system 8 pump head, % 6 4 2 1 5 2 4 6 8 1 water flow, % power variable-speed pump Control Methods Pressure control (P) at pump Pressure control (P) at end of system Critical-valve pressure reset All rights reserved 36
chilled water system Part Load: P at Pump P 1 75 gpm 2 75 gpm tp variable-speed pump Control Methods Pressure control (P) at pump Pressure control (P) at end of system Critical-valve pressure reset All rights reserved 37
chilled water system Part Load: P at End of System 1 75 gpm P 2 75 gpm tp P variable-speed pump Control Methods Pressure control at pump Pressure control at end of system Critical valve pressure reset All rights reserved 38
chilled water system Part Load: Critical Valve Reset P 1 75 gpm 2 75 gpm valve position tp pump characteristics Part Load: Ride the Pump Curve 12 1 pump head 8 6 4 excess pump pressure dynamic pressure full load part load 2 fixed pressure 2 4 6 8 1 water flow, % All rights reserved 39
pump characteristics Part Load: P Control at Pump What the pump needs to produce the required system pressure determines minimum pump pressure, motor speed 1 pump head 8 6 4 excess pump pressure dynamic pressure all loads 2 fixed pressure 2 4 6 8 1 water flow, % pump characteristics Part Load: P Control at End of System 1 Pump P slides down the system curve 8 pump head 6 4 dynamic pressure 2 fixed pressure 2 4 6 8 1 water flow, % P All rights reserved 4
pump characteristics Part Load: Critical Valve Reset 1 Pump P constantly reset to lowest possible value almost all pressure drop is dynamic 8 pump head 6 4 2 previous system curve pump pressure 2 4 6 8 1 water flow, % variable-flow pumping Summary Energy savings depends on: Pump selections Fixed vs. frictional pressure components Control strategy Energy savings can approach cube of speed Great application for variable-speed drives All rights reserved 41
variable-flow condenser water Pump Speed Determining minimum speed How variable flow affects: Pump Cooling tower Chiller Controlling flow to improve system performance condenser water pump Minimum Speed Determinants: Minimum condenser flow Tower static lift Minimum tower flow Nozzle selection Performance Compare curve with cubic All rights reserved 42
cooling tower Static Lift static lift cooling tower Water Distribution All rights reserved 43
Example 15 gpm system, 177 rpm Minimum flows: Chiller Tower Tower static lift Pump: Speed Pump flow 658 gpm 75 gpm 12.2 ft 974 rpm 875 gpm variable condenser-water flow Effect on Pump 1 pump head, ft 8 6 4 2 6% 75% 81% 83% 75% 177 rpm 155 rpm 1239 rpm 974 rpm 4 8 12 16 2 24 capacity, gpm All rights reserved 44
operating dependencies Full Flow Tower design Condenser water temperature & flow Heat rejection Wet bulb Chiller design Condenser water temperature & flow Load variable condenser water flow Effect on Tower 11 tower entering water, F 1 9 8 7 1% fan 6 5 6 7 8 9 1 condenser water flow, % All rights reserved 45
variable condenser water flow Effect on Chiller 3 25 96 F LCWT chiller power, kw 2 15 1 5 Conditions: 7% load 7 F WB Full-speed tower fan 5 6 7 8 9 condenser water flow, % 84 F LCWT 1 variable condenser water flow Effect on System component/system power, kw 3 25 2 15 1 5 system chiller tower pump 5 6 7 8 9 1 condenser water flow, % All rights reserved 46
reducing flow & fan speed Effect on Tower 11 fan speed tower entering water, F 1 9 8 7 conditions: 7% load 7 F WB 6 5 6 7 8 9 1 condenser water flow, % reducing flow & fan speed Effect on System 3 8% 6% 5% fan speed system power, kw 25 2 15 1 5 1% conditions: 7% load 7 F WB 5 6 7 8 9 1 condenser water flow, % All rights reserved 47
reducing flow & fan speed Effect on System 3 fan speed system power, kw 25 2 15 1 5 conditions: 7% load 5 F WB 5 6 7 8 9 1 condenser water flow, % reducing flow & fan speed Effect on System 3 fan speed system power, kw 25 2 15 1 5 1% 8% 6% 5% conditions: 3% load 5 F WB 5 6 7 8 9 1 condenser water flow, % All rights reserved 48
variable condenser water flow Summary Determine what savings, if any, are possible Are pumps already low power? Can reducing tower-fan speed achieve most of the savings? variable condenser water flow Summary If you decide to reduce flow: Find minimum condenserwater flow rate Examine system at various loads and wet-bulbs keep chiller out of surge Document the sequence of operation Help commission the system All rights reserved 49
variable condenser water flow Guidance Can provide savings Finding proper operating points requires more time, more fine-tuning Two-step process: 1 Reduce design pump power 2 Is variable condenser-water flow still warranted? Practical Application: How VSDs Affect Chillers VSDs and their effect on system components All rights reserved 5
VSDs and Chiller Laws Variable-speed drives benefit centrifugal compressors in water chillers Review chiller laws Explore scientific cause-and-effect relationships Maximize benefits resistance velocity² resistance lift VSD and centrifugal chillers A Simple Analogy brake (inlet guide vanes for unloading) accelerator (speed control of chiller motor) All rights reserved 51
a simple analogy Constant-Speed Chiller Motor runs at constant speed, regardless of load Inlet guide vanes restrict refrigerant at off-design conditions a simple analogy Variable-Speed Chiller Based on load, motor speeds up or slows down All rights reserved 52
VSDs and centrifugal chillers An Analogy In each case: Energy is wasted Mechanical wear-and-tear is increased Typical Centrifugal Chiller capacitymodulating device compressor condenser controller evaporator not shown: pressure-reducing device All rights reserved 53
Impeller hot refrigerant vapor cold refrigerant vapor blade Multistage Compressor inlet vanes inlet vanes impellers All rights reserved 54
Centrifugal Compressor volute diffuser passage impeller passage Lift versus Load lvg condenser water 2 gpm/ton lift (T) 58 F 8 gpm load = 5 tons lvg evaporator water lift P cnd P evp lift T lvg cnd T lvg evp load gpm (T lvg cnd T lvg evp ) All rights reserved 55
Compressor Work and Chiller Efficiency lvg cond water compressor work cooling capacity/ load head/ lift 58 F 5 tons lvg evap water Impeller Dynamics V r refrig flow rate V t rpm diameter V t tangential velocity LIFT R resultant velocity diameter LOAD compressor work refrigerant flow rate V r radial velocity rotational speed All rights reserved 56
Compressor Response to Load V t R V t R V r V r full load part load Compressor Response to Lift V t R V t R V r V r full load part load All rights reserved 57
Lessons Learned To reduce lift: Decrease condenser pressure by reducing leaving-tower water temperature Increase evaporator pressure by raising chilled water setpoint VSDs optimize chiller lift efficiency compressor work lvg cond water 99 F 75 F 45 F 41 F lvg evap water various system components Energy Use energy use, % 1 8 6 4 2 static lift free discharge fan chilled water pump (P at end of loop) condenser water pump (stopped at 875 gpm) chiller w/low lift 2 4 6 8 1 load, % All rights reserved 58
VSDs and centrifugal chillers A Simple Analogy But misleading and technically incorrect brake (inlet guide vanes for unloading) accelerator (speed control of chiller motor) chiller efficiency at part load IPLV and NPLV Conditions 85 F ECWT 75 F ECWT lift 65 F ECWT 1% load 75% 5% 25% All rights reserved 59
VSDs and centrifugal chillers A Closer Look at IPLV Load Weighting ECWT kw/ton 1%.1 85 F.572 75%.42 75 F.429 5%.45 65 F.324 25%.12 65 F.393 VSDs improve part-lift performance, so running two chillers with VSDs at part load seems more efficient than one chiller at double the same load, but VSDs and centrifugal chillers Performance at 9% Load ECWT 2 Chillers* 1 Chiller Difference 85 F 36.4 268. 38.4 8 F 268. 238. 3. 75 F 23.8 21.6 2.2 7 F 195.2 185.7 9.5 65 F 16.3 164.3 Note: Data shows only chiller power. +4.3 *Load equally divided All rights reserved 6
VSDs and centrifugal chillers Performance at 9% Load chiller power, kw 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 2 chillers: 45% load each 1 chiller: 9% load 65 7 75 8 85 entering condenser water, F Conclusion: 1 chiller uses less power than 2 chillers Analyze the System Model: Building use Local weather Economizers Utility rates System design Use programs like TRACE, DOE 2.x, Chiller Plant Analyzer, HAP All rights reserved 61
VSDs and centrifugal chillers Summary VFDs improve chiller part-lift performance Lots of operational hours Reduced condenser water temperatures Higher costs of electricity IPLV is not an economic tool Answers to Your Questions VSDs and their effect on system components All rights reserved 62
wrap-up VSD Effect Differs Cubic relationship to speed only occurs in free discharge systems Control parameters affect savings In chillers, external parameters define lift (pressure difference) wrap-up VSD Effect Differs Cooling towers: Nearly cubic HVAC fans: Not cubic Depends on control strategy Fan pressure optimization is best Chilled water pumps: Not cubic Affected by valves and control method Consider pump pressure optimization based on critical valve All rights reserved 63
wrap-up VSD Effect Differs Condenser water pumps: Not cubic Must meet minimum flow or pressure Tower static lift Minimum condenser water flow Minimum tower flow Reduced flow affects chiller and tower performance Before applying a VFD, reduce pump design power (CW flow rate) wrap-up VSD Effect Differs Power for any chiller is reduced at part load and lift Chiller savings? Not even close to cubic VFD helps more at part-lift conditions MUST reduce lift for VSD to slow down and give benefit Use same condenser water temperature to compare constant- and variable-speed chillers All rights reserved 64
VFDs and Gensets Trane Engineers Newsletter volume 35-1 How VFDs Affect Genset Sizing by Court Nebuda www.trane.com/commercial/ location.aspx?item=5 references for this broadcast Where to Learn More 25 ENL Cooling Towers and Condenser Water Systems http://www.trane.com/bookstore/catalog.asp?sectionid=14 Bibliography All rights reserved 65
mark your calendar 26 ENL Broadcasts May 3 HVAC systems and airside economizers Sep 13 HVAC design for places of assembly Nov 8 Energy-saving designs for rooftop systems All rights reserved 66