Optimizing Pump Speeds Saves Energy
The inefficient use of pumps is responsible for significant energy waste. Pumping systems are usually configured with overcapacity to enable them to operate in all circumstances. This built-in overcapacity results in energy losses because the pumps are driven at their nominal speeds rather than at the required speeds. The objective of this paper is to show how the application of optimized pump control can save energy. This is done by means of computer simulation with four case studies. One of the case studies is based on laboratory-scale equipment, and actual measurements were performed to confirm the accuracy of the simulation tool. The other three cases are based on real-life situations. Optimized pump control is an innovative control method which reduces energy consumption. It is based on the use of variable speed drives (VSDs) and all the pumps that run in parallel in a system are equipped with a VSD. They are all run at the same speed so they run much closer to their optimal efficiency, especially when an extra pump is taken into use. This also means that the energy consumption remains consistent and energy is saved. The study found that in specific cases the use of optimized pump control can result in energy savings of almost 70％. This can be compared with savings of around 50％ with standard pump control, a control method in which one pump is equipped with a VSD and the rest are on/off controlled. This statement is not generally valid. Whereas it can be true in the system (s) they looked at, it is not always the case. It must be stressed, however, that the potential for energy savings is highly dependant on case-specific factors such as the static head, pump dimensioning and system and duration curves. Energy costs usually represent 50％-85％ of lifecycle costs in pumping systems. The simulations showed that in specific cases the lifecycle costs can be halved by applying new control techniques. That could be true in some systems but again it is not generally true. The information presented in this paper is extracted from a M. Sc. thesis.
Hanna Varri Simo Hammo Jukka Tolvanen, Tero Nousiainen Li GuoXiao
M.Sc., Lappeenranta University of Technology Lic.Sc., Lappeenranta University of Technology M.Sc., ABB Drives Finland M.Sc., ABB Drives China
国际会议
北京
英文
688-693
2007-06-10（万方平台首次上网日期，不代表论文的发表时间）