U.S. patent application number 10/432978 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-12 for system and method of pressure distribution and pressure regulation for heating and air-conditioning units, and a very high-rise building utilizing the same.
Invention is credited to Park, Jung-Hwan, Park, Jung-Ro.
Application Number | 20040026075 10/432978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26638577 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040026075 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park, Jung-Ro ; et
al. |
February 12, 2004 |
System and method of pressure distribution and pressure regulation
for heating and air-conditioning units, and a very high-rise
building utilizing the same
Abstract
The present invention relates to a multi-stage pressure
distribution and pressure regulation system for heating and air
conditioning piping units, a pressure control method of the same,
and a very high-rise building utilizing the same, wherein head
pressure that is critical in heating and air conditioning piping
units of an very high-rise building can be stably and correctly
controlled. According to the present invention, there is provided a
multi-stage pressure distribution and pressure regulation system
for heating and air conditioning piping units, comprising: one or
more heating and cooling loads 400 for areas vertically zoned
depending on head pressure; a heat source supply system 100 for
supplying thermo-fluid to the respective heating and cooling loads
400 for the vertically zoned areas; one or more booster pumping
systems 300 which are provided between the heat source supply
system 100 and the respective heating and cooling loads 410, 420,
430 and each of which includes booster pumps PP2 for transferring
the thermo-fluid from the heat source supply system 100 to the
respective heating and cooling loads 400 and pump control valves
PCV2 for maintaining a predetermined head pressure; and one or more
pressure regulating systems 600 which are installed between output
side return lines of the respective heating and cooling loads 410,
420, 430 and the heat source supply system 100 and each of which
includes at least one pressure reducing and sustaining device PRSD
for reducing the pressure of the thermo-fluid outputted from each
heating and cooling load 400 and sustaining it at the predetermined
head pressure, wherein the head pressure acting in proportion to
the heights of stories of a building is distributed in a
multi-stage manner within a head pressure range for safe use.
Therefore, high head pressure in heating and air conditioning
piping units of the very high-rise building can be accurately and
stably controlled, and building space can be efficiently available
since there is no need for intermediate stories for installing
thermal equipment therein contrary to the prior art. Further, there
are advantages in that a lightweight building structure and a
saving of construction expenses can be achieved and in that energy
consumption can be reduced.
Inventors: |
Park, Jung-Ro; (Dongjak-gu
Seoul, KR) ; Park, Jung-Hwan; (Yonghyun-dong Nam-gu
Incheon, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LADAS & PARRY
5670 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, SUITE 2100
LOS ANGELES
CA
90036-5679
US
|
Family ID: |
26638577 |
Appl. No.: |
10/432978 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
November 14, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR01/01941 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/218 ; 236/1C;
62/185; 62/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 3/06 20130101; F24D
3/04 20130101; F24F 11/30 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/218 ;
236/1.00C; 62/99; 62/185 |
International
Class: |
F25D 017/02; F24F
003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 28, 2000 |
KR |
2000-71274 |
Nov 12, 2001 |
KR |
2001/70088 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A multi-stage pressure distribution and pressure regulation
system for heating and air conditioning units, comprising: one or
more heating and cooling loads for areas vertically zoned depending
on head pressure; a heat source supply system for supplying
thermo-fluid to the respective heating and cooling loads for the
vertically zoned areas; one or more booster pumping systems which
are provided between the heat source supply system and the
respective heating and cooling loads and each of which includes
booster pumps for transferring the thermo-fluid from the heat
source supply system to the respective heating and cooling loads
and pump control valves for maintaining a predetermined head
pressure; and one or more pressure regulating systems which are
installed between output side return lines of the respective
heating and cooling loads and the heat source supply system and
each of which includes at least one pressure reducing and
sustaining device for reducing the pressure of the thermo-fluid
outputted from each heating and cooling load and sustaining it at
the predetermined head pressure, wherein the head pressure acting
in proportion to the heights of stories of a building is
distributed in a multi-stage manner within a head pressure range
for safe use.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the booster
pumping systems further includes a pressure relieving and
sustaining valve connected to the booster pumps and the pump
control valves in parallel the pressure of the thermo-fluid so that
only a predetermined pressure can be exerted on the booster pumps
and pump control valves.
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a lower end of each
booster pump of each of the booster pumping systems is provided
with a check valve for preventing pressure on an upstream side with
respect to the booster pump from acting on the downstream side
thereof upon stop of the booster pump.
4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure reducing
and sustaining device includes a pressure reducing and sustaining
valve, pressure sensor units provided on inlet and outlet sides of
the pressure reducing and sustaining valve for sensing the pressure
of the thermo-fluid and for allowing control of maintenance of a
constant pressure, and a service valve.
5. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pressure reducing
and sustaining valve further includes an additional small-diameter
pressure reducing and sustaining valve for bypassing the
thermo-fluid.
6. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a surge tank is
installed at the top of a circulation line to communicate
therewith, and a pressure relief valve or safety valve and a check
valve is installed in the surge tank to communicate therewith, so
that the pressure relief valve or safety valve can prevent abrupt
pressure fluctuation within the piping system while the check valve
can prevent backflow.
7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a water return header
of the heat source supply system further includes an expansion tank
for absorbing, relieving and regulating expansion pressure, so that
pressure fluctuation occurring upon start and stop of the pumps or
due to hunting and offset phenomena of the pressure reducing and
sustaining valve can be absorbed and regulated.
8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the expansion tank is
an air- or nitrogen-pressurized closed tank.
9. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat source supply
system is an external district heat supply system for supplying the
thermo-fluid to the building.
10. An very high-rise building utilizing a multi-stage pressure
distribution and regulation system for heating and air conditioning
units, comprising: one or more heating and cooling loads for areas
vertically zoned depending on head pressure according to the
heights of stories of a building; a heat source supply system for
supplying thermo-fluid to the respective heating and cooling loads
for the vertically zoned areas; one or more booster pumping systems
which are provided between the heat source supply system and the
respective heating and cooling loads and each of which includes
booster pumps for transferring the thermo-fluid from the heat
source supply system to the respective heating and cooling loads
and pump control valves for maintaining a predetermined head
pressure; and one or more pressure regulating systems which are
installed between output side return lines of the respective
heating and cooling loads and the heat source supply system and
each of which includes at least one pressure reducing and
sustaining device for reducing the pressure of the thermo-fluid
outputted from each heating and cooling load and sustaining it at
the predetermined head pressure, wherein the head pressure acting
in proportion to the heights of stories of the building is
distributed and reduced in a multi-stage manner within a head
pressure range for safe use.
11. The very high-rise building as claimed in claim 10, wherein
each of the booster pumping systems further includes a pressure
relieving and sustaining valves connected to the booster pumps and
the pump control valves in parallel in order to control the
pressure of the thermo-fluid so that only a predetermined pressure
can be exerted on the booster pumps and the pump control
valves.
12. The very high-rise building as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
pressure reducing and sustaining device includes a pressure
reducing and sustaining valve, pressure sensor units provided on
inlet and outlet sides of the pressure reducing and sustaining
valve for sensing the pressure of the thermo-fluid and for allowing
control of maintenance of a constant pressure, and a service
valve.
13. The very high-rise building as claimed in claim 10, wherein the
heat source supply system is an external district heat supply
system for supplying the thermo-fluid to the building.
14. A pressure control method of a multi-stage pressure
distribution and pressure regulation system for heating and air
conditioning units, comprising: a first step of supplying
thermo-fluid from a heat source supply system to a plurality of
heating and cooling loads for areas vertically zoned depending on
head pressure while distributing the pressure of the thermo-fluid
in a multi-stage manner, by using at least one booster pumping
system including booster pumps and pump control valves; and a
second step of returning the thermo-fluid outputted from the
plurality of heating and cooling loads to the heat source supply
system while reducing the pressure of the thermo-fluid in the
multi-stage manner, by using at least one pressure regulating
system including a pressure reducing and sustaining device for
sustaining a predetermined head pressure.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to heating and air
conditioning piping units equipped for a very high-rise building,
and more particularly to a system and method of a multi-stage
pressure distribution and pressure regulation for heating and air
conditioning piping units, and a very high-rise building utilizing
the same, wherein head pressure which is critical in heating and
air conditioning piping units of the very high-rise building can be
stably and correctly controlled.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Recently, owing to rapid development of architecture, there
are a very large number of more than fifty-storied high-rise
buildings of which heights are over 200 m. Further, there are a
large number of more than one hundred-storied very high-rise
buildings of which heights are over 400 m throughout the world.
[0003] In such a high-rise building, water pressure within piping
units of thermal equipment, such as a refrigerator, a boiler and a
heat exchanger, is directly associated with the building.
Generally, in case of an about twenty-storied building of which
height is about 70 m, even when the thermal equipment is installed
only in a basement floor of the building, there is no substantial
difficulty in providing thermo-fluid supplied from the thermal
equipment to upper stories of the building. However, in case of a
building of which height is over 70 m, since pressure of the
thermo-fluid becomes a critical factor, the thermal equipment
should be distributively installed in intermediate stories or the
topmost story of the building. Thus, as the height of a building
becomes higher, the number of intermediate stories (equipment
stories) for installing the thermal equipment therein increases in
proportion to the building height.
[0004] Accordingly, a facilities system for use in the very
high-rise building should be properly designed in consideration of
the characteristics of the very high-rise building, unlike that
employed in a general building. In the very high-rise building, it
is necessary to maintain a high pressure acting on a water piping
units of air conditioning facilities within an appropriate pressure
range depending on the building height.
[0005] Since there is a growing tendency for buildings to become
higher, control of a head pressure in heating and air conditioning
piping units has been significantly required in view of their
construction environments and functions upon design of very
high-rise buildings.
[0006] Technology for providing a method and system for effectively
controlling air conditioning water in an air conditioning water
piping system of such a very high-rise building is disclosed in
Korean Patent No. 245,587, which was filed in the name of and then
issued to the present inventor.
[0007] The present invention is directed to a multi-stage pressure
distribution and regulation system for heating and air conditioning
piping units, which can be stably applied even to an very high-rise
building where a high head pressure acts under severe conditions by
improving the above technology; a pressure control method of the
same; and an very high-rise building utilizing the same.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to stably maintain
inner pressure throughout heating and air conditioning piping units
at a constant value in a head pressure control system of heating
and air conditioning piping units in a very high-rise building.
[0009] It is another object of the present invention to control
pressure fluctuation due to hunting and offset phenomena of valves
generated during operation of the system, water hammer action
generated upon start and stop of pumps, and pressure fluctuation
derived from negative pressure creation due to cold water
falling.
[0010] After plotting a pressure diagram of heating and air
conditioning system, when examining pressure for safe use of
equipment, fluctuation in thermo-fluid flow and pressure, control
conditions, pump characteristics, control of the number of
equipment for energy saving, and devices to be applied to pressure
control of the system, the above objects can be achieved by
applying technology having the following characteristics.
[0011] Excessive Water Pressure and Pressure Reduction Control
[0012] 1. Problems related to water pressure within a supply piping
portion and the constitution of a supply and circulation pump
system
[0013] One of critical factors of various problems occurring in a
water piping system in a very high-rise building is excessive
pressure. Since head pressure is proportional to height in the
natural world, an excessive pressure load acting on the water
piping system in the very high-rise building causes serious
problems in safe and normal operations of equipment, and also
incurs additional expenses of maintenance thereof from an
economical viewpoint. When pressure within the piping system is
generally over 10 kg/cm.sup.2, a steel pipe for pressure service
(SPPS) should be used in consideration of safety. At this time,
since auxiliary equipment such as a refrigerator, a boiler, a
circulation pump, an air handling unit (AHU) and a fan coil unit
(FCU) should be constituted in accordance with the high pressure,
then these lead to increase the costs.
[0014] If a high pressure is not specifically required for
operation of a certain equipment or system, it is irrational that
the equipment or system is constructed such that pressure therein
exceeds the maximum pressure at a discharging port thereof. It is
preferred that the maximum pressure be limited, if possible.
[0015] Heating and air conditioning piping units according to the
present invention is constructed by vertically zoning a very
high-rise building into multi-stage areas on a height basis so that
head pressure can be controlled at an appropriate pressure within a
setting limit. Thermo-fluid circulation is carried out such that
thermo-fluid can be pressurized and supplied by booster pumps of
booster pumping systems constructed in a multi-stage manner. Upon
stop of the pump, by preventing the upstream side pressure from
acting on the downstream side by means of a check valve, excessive
water pressure exerted on the system can be regulated at each
stage. At this time, it is advantageous that an appropriate
pressure range for water pressure control is set to be vertically
zoned in the range of about 7 to 25 kg/cm.sup.2 in consideration of
economical efficiency and stability.
[0016] 2. Problems related to water pressure within a return piping
portion and the constitution of a pressure regulating system
[0017] The water pressure acting on the supply piping portion can
be firmly kept safe by means of the check valve function of pump
control valves and installation of check valves on the downstream
sides of the booster pumps. However, control of water pressure
acting on the return side piping portion requires a high degree of
engineering, and application of knowledge and technology concerning
fluid mechanics, kinematics of machinery, thermo-fluid engineering
and construction equipment are also required.
[0018] Since there is downward flow in the return side piping
portion, head pressure within the system is controlled by employing
a pressure reducing and sustaining device that is a pressure
control device for reducing the water pressure within the piping
system to an appropriate pressure. Such device functions to cut off
a main device when the upstream side pressure becomes lower than a
predetermined pressure and to prevent backflow by cutting off the
main device when the downstream side pressure becomes higher than
the predetermined pressure. This pressure maintaining function
allows pressure within the system to be always stably maintained
within a range of design.
[0019] In order to accomplish the above objects of the present
invention, there is provided a multi-stage pressure distribution
and pressure regulation system for heating and air conditioning
units, comprising: one or more heating and cooling loads for areas
vertically zoned depending on head pressure; a heat source supply
system for supplying thermo-fluid to the respective heating and
cooling loads for the vertically zoned areas; one or more booster
pumping systems which are provided between the heat source supply
system and the respective heating and cooling loads and each of
which includes booster pumps for transferring the thermo-fluid from
the heat source supply system to the respective heating and cooling
loads and pump control valves for maintaining a predetermined head
pressure; and one or more pressure regulating systems which are
installed between output side return lines of the respective
heating and cooling loads and the heat source supply system and
each of which includes at least one pressure reducing and
sustaining device for reducing the pressure of the thermo-fluid
outputted from each heating and cooling load and maintaining it at
the predetermined head pressure, wherein the head pressure acting
in proportion to the heights of stories of a building is
distributed in a multi-stage manner within a head pressure range
for safe use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The above and other objects and features of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description of a
preferred embodiment given in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a systematic diagram of heating and air
conditioning piping units of an embodiment according to the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a conceptual view of a system for controlling the
system of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing thermo-fluid circulation
within heating and air conditioning piping units of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing thermo-fluid circulation
within heating and air conditioning piping units of the present
invention in a case where a district heat source supply system is
employed as a heat supply means; and
[0025] FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the constitution of a
pressure reducing and sustaining device provided for a pressure
regulating system according to the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0026] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention
will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0027] Although the present invention can be embodied by dividing
an entire heating and cooling load into those for a plurality of
zoned areas depending on head pressure according to the heights of
stories of a building, a preferred embodiment of the present
invention to be described below will be explained with heating and
air conditioning piping units in the building in which the entire
heating and cooling load is divided into those for first, second
and third stages of the zoned areas depending on the head pressure
according to the heights of stories of the building.
[0028] The heights of respective stages of the zoned areas can be
arbitrarily adjusted depending on piping material, building
conditions and the like.
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, a multi-stage pressure distribution and
pressure regulation system according to the present invention
comprises a heating and cooling load 400 consisting of a
first-stage heating and cooling load 410, a second-stage heating
and cooling load 420, and a third-stage heating and cooling load
430; a booster pumping system 300; and a pressure regulating system
600. The multi-stage pressure distribution and pressure regulation
system is connected with a heat source supply system 100 through
piping units for controlling air conditioning water.
[0030] Heating and air conditioning piping units according to the
present invention may employ steel pipes, copper pipes, stainless
steel pipes or the like.
[0031] The heating and cooling load 400 consists of an air handling
unit (AHU), a fan coil unit (FCU), a convector and the like.
[0032] The heat source supply system 100 comprises a number of
thermal equipment such as a refrigerator R, a boiler B, a water
cooling/heating device RB; a first circulation pump PP1 for
circulating and driving thermo-fluid; a pump control valve PCV1
interlocked with the first circulation pump PP1; and a pressure
relieving and sustaining valve RSV1.
[0033] Although the heat source supply system 100 consists of
general thermal equipment such as a refrigerator R, a boiler B, a
water cooling/heating device RB equipped within a building, a
district heat source supply system, such as a combined heat and
power plant, for supplying thermo-fluid from the exterior of the
building may be used.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, in a case where the district heat
source supply system is used as the heat source supply system 100,
the piping system is constructed such that a machine room receives
the thermo-fluid from the district heat source supply system and
transmit it to the booster pumping system, and that the
thermo-fluid returned and collected via the heating and cooling
loads is transmitted back to the district heat supply system.
[0035] The booster pumping system 300 and the pressure regulating
system 600 are intended to perform pressure control at each stage
by constructing them to be vertically zoned in a multi-stage manner
depending on the head pressure of the building, so that pressure
control can be stably carried out within the entire system.
[0036] For example, when a pressure control range of the
first-stage booster pumping system is maintained at 7 to 25
kg/cm.sup.2 in consideration of safety and economical efficiency,
since the story height per one story in the very high-rise building
is generally 4.0 to 4.5 m, the head pressure generated when each
area zoned in the building is composed of twenty stories would be
in the order of 8 to 10 kg/cm.sup.2. Accordingly, the booster
pumping system 300 is constructed such that booster pumps PP2
should be installed at respective areas to circulate and supply the
thermo-fluid, thereby controlling the head pressure in a pressure
range for safe use.
[0037] The booster pumping system 300 includes booster pumps PP2
and pump control valves PCV2 connected to the booster pumps PP2 in
series. The booster pumping system 300 has a function of preventing
a surging phenomenon upon start and stop of the booster pumps PP2,
and a function of instantly closing the valve to prevent
thermo-fluid backflow upon stop of electricity supply, in order to
stably optimize control of the system by minimizing pressure
fluctuation upon control of the number of pumps to be operated.
[0038] In addition, the booster pumping system 300 further includes
pressure relieving and sustaining valves RSV2 connected to the
booster pumps PP2 and pump control valves PCV2 in parallel to
maintain pressure, which is changed when 2-way valves V2 of the
heating and cooling load 400 are opened and closed, at a
predetermined pressure irrespective of an inlet side potential or
flow rate changes required for the system.
[0039] In addition, it is preferred that a check valve (not shown)
is further installed on a lower end of each booster pump PP2 of the
booster pumping system 300. The check valve constructed as such
prevents pressure on an upstream side with respect to the booster
pump from acting on the downstream side thereof upon stop of the
booster pump so that excessive water pressure cannot act on the
system.
[0040] A surge tank device unit 500 is installed on the topmost
portion of a return piping system, functions to adjust pressure
fluctuation factors, which are generated when pressure control
devices are opened or closed at different timing by means of a
pressure relief valve RV or a check valve, prevents the surge
action when the control valves are rapidly closed, functions as a
water supply tank, and relieves pressure in the system by opening
the pressure relief valve RV when rapid pressure expansion is
generated.
[0041] That is, the booster pumping system 300 is vertically zoned
in a multi-stage manner by setting up water pressure control ranges
in consideration of characteristics, conditions, stability and the
like within head pressure for safe use at each stage, and the
thermo-fluid is pressurized and supplied by a booster pumping
system of each zoned area. Upon stop of the pumps, as described
above, the mechanical check valves of the booster pumps are closed
so that the upstream side pressure does not act on the downstream
side of the pumps.
[0042] If a carbon steel pipe for pressure service is used as a
pipe for supply piping of a circulation supply piping line, the
height of each of the vertically zoned areas can be increased. That
is, the height of each vertically zoned area may be increased such
that its head pressure is larger than the head pressure of 7 to 25
kg/cm.sup.2 within the pressure range for safe use of the piping
line and the pumps, and then, the number of and installation space
for machine facilities such as a booster pump can be reduced. In
addition, the head pressure within the piping system for the
heating and cooling load at each zoned area is caused to be
maintained at pressure for safe use of equipment (5 to 10
kg/cm.sup.2).
[0043] Next, since there is downward flow in a water return piping,
the pressure regulating system prevents negative pressure creation
due to water falling and controls reduction of the high head
pressure.
[0044] The characteristics of the head pressure control device for
reducing the head pressure in the system to an appropriate pressure
performs the pressure reduction function, and a backflow prevention
function that the main valve is caused to be closed when the
upstream side pressure becomes lower than a predetermined pressure
as well as when the downstream side pressure becomes higher than a
predetermined pressure.
[0045] That is, the pressure regulating system should perform a
pressure maintaining function that thermo-fluid pressure in the
system is caused to be always stably maintained within the design
range. The pressure regulating system for meeting the requirements
is constructed as follows.
[0046] The pressure regulating system 600 includes pressure
reducing and sustaining devices PRSD. Each pressure reducing and
sustaining device PRSD reduces a high pressure of an inlet side
thereof (upstream side) to a low pressure of an outlet side thereof
(downstream side), and accurately maintains a predetermined outlet
pressure irrespective of a change in the inlet side pressure or a
flow rate. The valve is closed when the outlet side pressure
becomes higher than the predetermined pressure as well as when the
inlet side pressure becomes lower than the predetermined
pressure.
[0047] Since the pressure regulating system constructed as such is
vertically zoned in a multi-stage manner in consideration of the
pressure control range and characteristics and constructed to
include a first stage or more stages so as to reduce the pressure
of thermo-fluid, the occurrence of cavitation can be avoided. The
control range of the head pressure in the pressure regulating
system is 7 to 25 kg/cm.sup.2 in the same way as the booster
pumping system. This range is desirable in view of stability and
economical efficiency.
[0048] Since the heat source supply system 100, the first-stage
booster pumping system 310 and the first-stage pressure regulating
system 610 may be installed on the basement floor of building to
constitute a machine room 200, installation space thereof can be
reduced.
[0049] Since an air- or nitrogen-pressurized diaphragm type closed
expansion tank ET is installed in the machine room 200 to absorb
and regulate pressure fluctuation occurring upon start and stop of
the pumps or due to hunting and offset phenomena of the pressure
reducing and sustaining valves, the predetermined pressure in the
system can be always stably maintained.
[0050] Reference numeral M denoted within the machine room 200 in
the figures designates a flow meter for measuring a flow rate of
the returned thermo-fluid. The flow meter M is provided with a flow
detector 220, and signals generated from the detection of the flow
meter M are inputted into a system control panel 210.
[0051] Hereinafter, main functions and characteristics of each
component of the present invention constructed as such will be
summarized.
[0052] {circle over (1)} Pressure Reducing and Sustaining
Device
[0053] Each pressure reducing and sustaining device PRSD performs
two independent functions: the function of reducing a high pressure
of the inlet side thereof (upstream side) to a low pressure of the
outlet side thereof, and the function of correctly maintaining the
predetermined outlet side pressure irrespective of a change in the
inlet side pressure or the flow rate. That is, the high pressure of
the inlet side thereof (upstream side) is reduced to the low
pressure of the outlet side thereof, and the predetermined outlet
side pressure is accurately maintained irrespective of the change
in the inlet side pressure or the flow rate.
[0054] Specifically, referring to FIG. 5, a first pressure sensor
SS1 and a second pressure sensor SS2, which are pressure sensing
units, and a first service valve GV1 and a second service valve GV2
are positioned at both sides of the pressure reducing and
sustaining valve PRSV. Reference numeral ST designates a
filter.
[0055] The pressure reducing and sustaining device constructed as
such maintains the inlet side pressure at the predetermined
pressure while always maintaining the outlet side pressure, which
is a reference pressure, at the predetermined pressure.
[0056] That is, when the inlet side pressure becomes lower, the
lowered pressure is sensed by the first pressure sensor SS1, and
the pressure reducing and sustaining valve PRSV is automatically
closed through pilot control. Then, the inlet side pressure is
raised until a certain pressure is reached and maintained. If the
outlet side pressure becomes higher due to added pressure or
returned pressure, this is sensed by the second pressure sensor
SS2. Then, the pressure reducing and sustaining valve PRSV is
closed to prevent backflow.
[0057] In constructing the pressure reducing and sustaining device
according to the present invention, it is desirable that the
pressure reducing and sustaining valves be arranged to be connected
with each other in parallel as described below.
[0058] When various changes in the flow rate are required, if one
valve is selected for a large flow rate, this valve should meet
both small and large flow rate while reducing the pressure to a
desired pressure. When a very small flow rate is required, a valve
seat should be opened only in a little amount, and then,
immediately closed. However, if this process is repeated, a
chattering phenomenon as well as excessive wear of an operating
portion thereof are generated. This becomes a cause of noise
generation. This problem can be solved by installing two valves,
i.e., a large-diameter valve and a small-diameter valve, in
parallel. An additional valve may be separately installed as a
spare part to enhance stability.
[0059] {circle over (2)} Pressure Relieving and Sustaining
Valves
[0060] The pressure relieving and sustaining valves RSV1, RSV2
serve to maintain the predetermined inlet side pressure at a
constant value irrespective of a change in the inlet side potential
or the flow rate required by the system, and function to alleviate
a load by bypassing a portion of the pressure so that only constant
pressure can be supplied.
[0061] {circle over (3)} Pump Control Valves
[0062] The pump control valves PCV1, PCV2 function to eliminate the
surging phenomenon within the piping system generated upon start
and stop of the pump, and are installed in the discharge side
piping of the booster pump PP2 and the first circulation pump PP1
to control discharge pressure.
[0063] When the pump starts in a state where the valves are closed,
electricity is supplied from a power source to an electronic
control valve for pilot, and then, the valves are slowly opened.
Then, the thermo-fluid in the piping is caused to be gradually
raised to a suction lift of the pump.
[0064] When a stop signal is transmitted to the pump, the
electricity supplied from the power source to the electronic
control valve for pilot is cut off. Then, the valves are slowly
closed, and thus, the flow rate is gradually reduced. Thus, when
the valves are closed, a limit switch for electrically interlocking
the pump with the valves is operated to cut off the electricity to
the pump. As a result, the pump stops. If the electricity is
suddenly cut off (power failure), thermo-fluid flow stops at the
moment that a check valve contained in the pump is closed. The
check valve is closed irrespective of a position of a solenoid or
diaphragm in order to prevent backflow.
[0065] {circle over (4)} Booster Pumps
[0066] The booster pumps PP2 are installed to be connected with
each other in series in a multi-stage manner, if necessary, in
order to supply the thermo-fluid in the supply piping to a higher
position, and the booster pump at each stage is constructed by
connecting two or more pumps having rated capacity in parallel so
as to control the number of pumps to be operated by the system
control panel depending on values measured by the flow meter.
Accordingly, since the booster pumps can be controlled in response
to various changes in the flow rate, energy consumption can be
reduced. The vertical height (pressure range) of each zoned area is
determined in consideration of pressure resistance strength and
characteristics of the piping and equipment and the like.
[0067] Operation control of the booster pump may be made by
configuring a sequence such that energy consumption can be reduced
by control of the number of pumps to be operated and variable flow
rate control (control of the number of rotations), or by stopping
the pumps in response to the pressure in the system and controlling
the number of pumps to be operated depending on the load.
[0068] {circle over (5)} Expansion Tank
[0069] The expansion tank ET is provided for a water return header
of the heat source supply system to absorb, relieve and regulate
expansion pressure. In the present invention, it is preferred to
use an air- or nitrogen-pressurized closed tank, and auxiliary
equipment such as an air compressor, a relief valve, a
supplementary water line and an alarm device is provided
thereto.
[0070] Upon operation of the system, when the pressure in the water
return header becomes higher than the predetermined pressure, the
expansion tank always maintains the pressure in the system at a
constant value by absorbing and regulating this pressure.
[0071] {circle over (6)} Surge Tank
[0072] The surge tank prevents the surging phenomenon due to rapid
changes in the flow rate or velocity upon operation of the system,
and opens the pressure relief valve RV or safety valve to drop the
pressure in response to rapid pressure changes. A check valve CV
functions to prevent backflow, and also functions as a
supplementary water tank.
[0073] Thermo-fluid circulation process in the multi-stage pressure
distribution system of heating and air conditioning piping units
according to the present invention constructed as such will be
explained in detail.
[0074] First, the pressure in the machine room 200, which is a
reference pressure in the present invention, should be always
maintained at a constant value. Thus, upon operation of the system
under the condition that the pressure is maintained at a constant
value, the system control panel 210 constructed as shown in FIG. 2
is operated so that the first circulation pump PP1, the booster
pumps PP2 at each stage and thermal equipment R, B, RB are
sequentially operated.
[0075] The thermo-fluid flow will be explained in detail with
reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0076] In order to supply the thermo-fluid to be used in the
first-stage heating and cooling load 410, the second-stage heating
and cooling load 420 and the third-stage heating and cooling load
430, the system control panel 210 is operated so that the first
circulation pump PP1 of the heat source supply system 100 and
respective booster pumps PP2 of the booster pumping system 300 can
be driven.
[0077] The first circulation pump PP1 of the heat source supply
system 100 is driven so that the thermo-fluid can be transferred to
the booster pumping system 300 via the thermal equipment R, RB,
B.
[0078] The respective booster pumps PP2 of the first-stage booster
pumping system 310, the second-stage booster pumping system 320 and
the third-stage booster pumping system 330 are operated so that the
thermo-fluid can be transferred to the respective heating and
cooling loads 410, 420, 430 via the pump control valves PCV2.
[0079] As for, the thermo-fluid supplied to the first-stage heating
and cooling load 410, the thermo-fluid outputted from the heat
source supply system 100 is directly transferred to the load 410
via the first-stage booster pumping system 310.
[0080] As for the thermo-fluid supplied to the second-stage heating
and cooling load 420, the thermo-fluid is distributed at an
appropriate pressure by the first-stage booster pumping system 310
is transferred to the load 420 via the second-stage booster pumping
system 320.
[0081] Likewise, as for the thermo-fluid supplied to the
third-stage heating and cooling load 430, the thermo-fluid is
distributed at an appropriate pressure from the first- and
second-stage booster pumping systems 310, 320 is transferred to the
load 430 via the third-stage booster pumping system 330.
[0082] The number of booster pumps PP2 to be operated at each stage
is controlled depending on the load by the system control panel
210, and changes in the flow rate and pressure generated upon stop
of the pumps are controlled by the control function of the
sequential pump control valves PCV2 to ensure silent operation of
the system.
[0083] Next, when the 2-way valve V2 provided for the heating and
cooling load 400 is closed due to a change in the load, the
pressure in the water supply piping is raised. At this time, the
raised pressure is controlled by the control function of the
booster pumping system 300. The pressure relieving and sustaining
valves RSV2 serves as emergency and complementary devices. In
addition, upon generation of unusual pressure, the pressure relief
valve RV or safety valve of the surge tank ST is operated at the
topmost portion of the piping system for the respective stages.
[0084] The pressure of the thermo-fluid which has passed through
the heating and cooling load 400 is controlled to be reduced via
the multi-stage pressure regulating system 600 which is installed
at areas vertically zoned according to the heights of stories of
the building. Thus, the thermo-fluid repeatedly circulates while
maintaining the pressure in the machine room 200 at a constant
value.
[0085] The head pressure in the respective stages of the pressure
regulating system 600 is set in the order of the predetermined
pressure range (7 to 25 kg/cm.sup.2) at the vertically zoned areas
as described above in consideration of economical efficiency and
safety. The operation pressure can be set up to a value higher than
the head pressure generated upon stop of the pump by 2 to 3
kg/cm.sup.2. Further, the pressure fluctuation due to the hunting
and offset phenomena of the pressure reducing and sustaining valves
PRSV is absorbed and regulated by the expansion tank ET provided
for the water return header.
[0086] Upon stop of the pump, the pump control valve is slowly
closed, and thus, the flow rate is reduced and the pressure drops.
When the pressure in the system continues to drop and becomes lower
than the predetermined pressure of the water return side pressure
sustaining valve, the valve is automatically closed to maintain a
hydrostatic head pressure. When the valve is completely closed, a
limit switch is operated to stop the booster pumps.
[0087] Although the present invention has been described with
respect to heating and air conditioning piping units of the
preferred embodiment in which the entire heating and cooling load
is divided into the first-, second- and third-stage heating and
cooling load for the vertically zoned areas, this is not intended
to limit the present invention but provided for illustrative
purposes only. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in
the art that various other modifications and equivalents can be
made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the
present invention. The scope of the invention is defined only by
the appended claims.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0088] As described above, according to the present invention, by
vertically zoning heating and air conditioning piping units of the
very high-rise building in the multi-stage manner so that the head
pressure can be controlled at an appropriate pressure, the
following advantages can be obtained.
[0089] First, the entire heating and cooling load is divided into
those for the vertically zoned area depending on the head pressure
generated according to the heights of stories of the building, so
that the head pressure at each area can be controlled within a
predetermined range for safe use. Thus, the present invention can
be applied to all buildings irrespective of the building
heights.
[0090] That is, since pressure generated from the action of the
thermo-fluid flowing within heating and air conditioning piping
units in the building can be maintained at a constant value even in
case of any pressure loads so that the system can be stably
maintained even in case of large pressure fluctuation, the present
invention can be technically applied to any buildings having an
infinite height.
[0091] Second, according to the present invention, heavy thermal
equipment such as a refrigerator, a heat exchanger and a boiler,
which has been installed in intermediate stories or the rooftop of
the building in the prior art, can be operated in a state where it
is installed in the basement floor of the building.
[0092] Therefore, since load acting on the building can be reduced,
a lightweight building structure can be achieved and the safety of
the building can be enhanced. In addition, danger such as noise,
vibration and a fire can be minimized in the building.
[0093] Third, according to the present invention, since the
thermo-fluid is transferred directly to the heating and cooling
load from the basement floor of the building through the piping
system, so that heat loss can be minimized and thus heat transfer
efficiency can be maximized. Accordingly, an energy saving effect
can be obtained.
[0094] Fourth, since in addition to economic profit creation due to
reduction in construction expenses, large space occupied by a
thermal equipment room in the conventional system can be available
for another use, usage efficiency of the space of the building can
be enhanced.
[0095] Fifth, according to the present invention, since the thermal
equipment can be centralized and managed in the basement floor of
the building, there are advantages in that efficient operation and
management of the air conditioning facilities is allowed, in that
maintenance of the thermal equipment and system becomes easier, and
in that the air conditioning facilities can be operated even small
manpower, and thus, management expenses can be reduced.
* * * * *