hydraulic configurations
Different types of hydraulic configurations
1 - GENERAL CLASSIFICATION OF THE SYSTEMS
Broadly speaking, there are two types of configurations possible, those of the coupled type or those of the undocked type, each of them with several configuration options.
The differentiating element is the installation or not of an UNCOUPLING ELEMENT as a collector or tank.
In addition, a third section is added in which variations in the system configuration are grouped, which can be incorporated into coupled or uncoupled systems.
2 - COUPLED SYSTEMS
These are the systems that the same pump or group of pumps move the water through the generators and through the rest of the installation to the terminal units.
These systems can be constant flow or variable flow.
When to use a coupled system?
It is not a very versatile configuration and its use is limited to the following cases:
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When the system only has one generator, it saves the investment costs of a decoupled system
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With several chillers and the load variation is not very large, with constant flow. The fact that the chillers are equal in capacity and head loss greatly simplifies the commissioning and operation of the system.
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With several chillers and the load variation is large and variable flow, commonly known as VPF In the same way, it is recommended that the chillers be equal to each other, or at least pay attention to the compatibility of flows in the operations of addition and equipment theft.
3 - DECOUPLED SYSTEMS
These are systems that have a separator or decoupling element, such as a collector or tank, that hydraulically separates production from distribution, also known as primary and secondary.
The main objective is that,from a hydraulic point of view, the primary is not affected by what happens in the secondary.
The main advantages are:
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It is a configuration that allows the system to work very well with partial loads, as long as the hydraulics and control allow it,
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They are very versatile from the point of view of production configuration, being able to install equipment of different types and capacities.
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They are necessary when, even having a chiller and a very constant load, the flows are not compatible.see more
As drawbacks, the initial investment costs and space required for the installation of components.
Most decoupled systems fail because of the collector design, primarily the order of connections.
4 - VARIATIONS IN THE SYSTEM
In addition to the type of previous configurations, variations can be added to the systems for different purposes:
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Freecooling, in series or in parallel. The location of the freecooling system is very important, with the same investment cost the savings are very different if the system allows partial freecooling.
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Chillers with preferential charge, for whatever reason, for example efficiency, heat recovery, absorption machines, etc. It is not the same to place them in the production center or outside.
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Applications out of range, when the working temperature of the secondary circuit is not compatible with the production equipment. Double bypass configuration
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ice production
5 - CONFIGURATIONS FOR HEAT PUMP
Heat pump applications require a complete section as various concepts and types of equipment are mixed. Broadly speaking, the classifications would be:
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Unique heat pump or hybrid systems with boilers
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Through evaporation, air or water
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By working temperature
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Cascade configuration
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Hydraulic needles vs. buffer tanks in decoupled systems
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Buffer tanks and defrosts
HYBRID SYSTEMS
HYDRAULIC NEEDLES VS BUFFER TANKS
AIR WATER - WATER WATER
BUFFER TANKS AND DEFROSTS
BY TEMPERATURE
CASCADE CONFIGURATION