JP6572005B2 - Refrigerator control device, refrigerator system and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a refrigerator control device, a refrigerator system, and a program.

  A refrigerator system in a building, a factory, or the like includes a plurality of refrigerators, and a refrigerator to be operated is selected according to a required load. As a method for increasing or decreasing the level of the refrigerator when the required load fluctuates, the abstract of the following Patent Document 1 states that “when the stage is increased, the insufficient load value calculation unit 122 loads the load on the required load. Then, the operating refrigerator selecting unit 123 uses the COP determined according to the operating environment of the refrigerator, and operates when the operation is performed with the insufficient load among the stopped refrigerators. The refrigerator with the highest COP is selected as the refrigerator to be increased, and when the stage is reduced, the operation pattern extraction unit 151 selects an operation pattern that is a combination of refrigerators that operate according to the required load. Then, the stop refrigerator selecting unit 133 uses the COP determined according to the operating environment of the refrigerator to determine the COP of the entire refrigerator system in each operation pattern, and based on the operation pattern with the highest COP, To select the refrigerator stage to. It has been described as ".

JP 2012-37141 A

However, when increasing the number of chillers in the above-described technology, the chiller to be additionally operated is determined based on COP (Coefficient Of Performance) while the chiller currently in operation is being operated. In some cases, the refrigerator could not be selected properly, for example, the cooling capacity was excessive with respect to the required load.
This invention is made | formed in view of the situation mentioned above, and it aims at providing the refrigerator control apparatus, refrigerator system, and program which can select a refrigerator appropriately with respect to a request | requirement load.

In order to solve the above problems, the refrigerator control device of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a predicted heat load that predicts a transition of a future heat load;
Based on the predicted heat load, an operation order prediction unit for obtaining operation order prediction information of a plurality of refrigerators having different performances;
In the operation order prediction information, the ON / OFF pattern of the plurality of refrigerators changes from the first pattern to the second pattern having a lower cooling capacity within a predetermined time, and then changes to the first pattern. A driving order prediction information changing unit that changes the driving order prediction information so as to unify the ON / OFF pattern within the predetermined time into the first pattern when changing,
It is characterized by having.

  According to the present invention, a refrigerator can be appropriately selected for a required load.

1 is a block diagram of a refrigerator system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the principle ON / OFF state of the refrigerator in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the ON / OFF state of the refrigerator in a comparative example. It is a flowchart of the prediction routine in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the prediction result of the heat load in one day. It is a flowchart of the operation control routine in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the air conditioning remote control system by 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the prediction routine in 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the prediction routine in 5th Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
<Configuration of First Embodiment>
First, the details of the refrigerator system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
In FIG. 1, a plurality of cooling towers 1 and a corresponding plurality of refrigerators 3 are connected via a cooling water return pipe 9 and a cooling water forward pipe 12. A cooling water pump 2 is inserted. The cooling water heated in the refrigerator 3 is returned to the corresponding cooling tower 1 through the cooling water return pipe 9. The cooling tower 1 is, for example, an open type cooling tower, and is configured to flow cooling water into a filler (not shown) carried therein and cool the cooling water with a blower. The cooling water pump 2 pumps the cooling water cooled in the cooling tower 1 toward the refrigerator 3 via the cooling water forward pipe 12. In the illustrated example, each cooling tower 1 and each refrigerator 3 correspond one-to-one. However, a plurality of refrigerators 3 may be connected to one cooling tower 1, and a plurality of cooling towers may be connected. One refrigerator 3 may be connected to one.

  Each refrigerator 3 is connected to a return header 5 via a cold water primary return pipe 13 and a cold water primary pump 4. The cold water primary pump 4 pumps the heated cold water toward the refrigerator 3 through the cold water primary return pipe 13. The refrigerator 3 is a refrigerator using a well-known refrigeration cycle, for example, and cools the heated cold water and raises the temperature of the cooling water. The cooled cold water is supplied to the forward header 6 via the cold water primary forward pipe 14. The return header 5 and the forward header 6 are connected via a bypass pipe 18 and a pressure adjusting valve 19.

  The forward header 6 is connected to a plurality of air conditioners 7 and heat exchangers 8 via a cold water secondary forward pipe 15 and a cold water secondary pump 17. The cold water secondary pump 17 pumps the cold water in the forward header 6 to the air conditioner 7 and the heat exchanger 8. The air conditioner 7 is grounded for each room in the building, for example. The air conditioner 7 includes a cooling coil 10 that passes cold water and an air conditioning fan 11 that blows air to the cooling coil 10. The cold water that has been heated through the air conditioner 7 and the heat exchanger 8 returns to the return header 5 through the cold water secondary return pipe 16.

The sensor unit 30 has the following sensors.
A temperature sensor that measures the water temperature in each cold water primary return pipe 14 and each cold water primary return pipe 13;
A flow rate sensor for measuring the flow rate of cold water provided in each cold water primary outgoing pipe 14 or each cold water primary return pipe 13;
-Sensors for measuring the temperature and humidity outside the building where the refrigerator system 100 is installed,
A sensor that measures the temperature and humidity of each room in the building where the refrigerator system 100 is installed.
Measurement data of a plurality of sensors provided in the sensor unit 30 is supplied to the control device 20.

  The control device 20 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 21, a random access memory (RAM) 22, a read only memory (ROM) 23, a hard disk drive (HDD) 24, a display 25 for displaying various information, a mouse and a keyboard. The computer includes hardware as a general computer such as an input / output interface 27 for inputting / outputting signals to / from the input device 26, the sensor unit 30, each refrigerator 3, and the like.

  The HDD 24 stores an OS (Operating System), application programs, various data, and the like. The OS and application programs are expanded in the RAM 22 and executed by the CPU 21. The control device 20 controls the entire refrigerator system 100 such as calculating the heat load by this application program (details will be described later) and controlling each refrigerator 3 to be turned on / off. Note that starting any one of the refrigerators 3 is referred to as ON control, stopping it is referred to as OFF control, and starting or stopping is referred to as ON / OFF control.

Here, the thermal load q [kW] of the entire refrigerator system 100 can be calculated based on the measurement data of the sensor unit 30 by, for example, the following equation (1).
q = Σ (Q × ρ × c × (T _H −T _L )) (1)
In Equation (1), Q is the flow rate of cold water [m ³ / s], ρ is the density of cold water [kg / m ³ ], c is the specific heat of cold water [kJ / (kg · K)], and T _H is cold water return The temperature [° C.] and _TL are the cold water temperature [° C.].

<Operation of First Embodiment>
(Basic ON / OFF state of refrigerator)
In the present embodiment, the ON / OFF state of each refrigerator 3 is determined according to the required load (the thermal load to be realized). In that case, in view of the processing capacity, COP, and the like of each refrigerator 3, the ON / OFF state with the highest COP as the entire refrigerator system 100 is applied in principle.

  An example of the ON / OFF state adopted in principle for the required load is shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, the vertical axis corresponds to a plurality of (three in the illustrated example) refrigerators 3. The numbers of “No 1”, “No 2”, and “No 3” are assigned to the refrigerators 3 in descending order of COP (Coefficient Of Performance) at the rated output.

  Further, the cooling capacities at the rated outputs of “No 1”, “No 2”, and “No 3” are “2000 kW”, “1000 kW”, and “2000 kW”, respectively. As is well known, the COP at the rated output is expressed by “cooling capacity ÷ cooling power consumption” for cooling, where “cooling power consumption” is not only the power consumption of the refrigerator 3 but also The value includes power consumption of the cooling tower 1, the cooling water pump 2, the cold water primary pump 4, and the like associated with the refrigerator 3. When any of the refrigerators 3 is ON / OFF controlled, the cooling tower 1, the cooling water pump 2, the cold water primary pump 4, etc. associated with the refrigerator 3 are also controlled ON / OFF.

  Also, the horizontal axis in FIG. 2 is the required load required for the refrigerator system 100, and the range with the bar 501 in the figure is the range in which the corresponding refrigerator 3 is turned on in principle. The range without 501 is a range in which the corresponding refrigerator 3 is turned off in principle. According to FIG. 2, when the required load is less than 1000 kW, the ON / OFF pattern of the refrigerator 3 of “No 1”, “No 2”, “No 3” is “OFF, ON, OFF”.

  Generally, a refrigerator has the highest COP when operated near the rated output. Also in this embodiment, it is assumed that the refrigerator 3 of that kind is applied. More specifically, when the required load is less than 1000 kW, it is assumed that the COP of the “No. 2” refrigerator 3 is higher than that of “No. 1”. With this assumption, the required load is 1000 kW. If it is less, the “No 2” refrigerator 3 is turned on. In particular, for the refrigerator 3 having a small cooling capacity, the power consumption of the accompanying auxiliary devices (the cooling tower 1, the cooling water pump 2, the cold water primary pump 4, etc.) is low, and thus the power consumption of the entire refrigerator system 100 is suppressed. be able to.

  In addition, when the required load is 1000 kW or more in FIG. 2, the “No. 1” refrigerator 3 is always in an ON state in principle because the COP at the rated output is the highest. Such a “No. 1” refrigerator 3 may be referred to as a “base operating machine”. In the section where the required load is 2000 kW to 3000 kW, the cooling capacity of the “No 1” refrigerator 3 is insufficient, so the ON / OFF pattern of the “No 1”, “No 2”, “No 3” refrigerator 3 is in principle. , “ON, ON, OFF”. In the section where the required load is 3000 kW to 4000 kW, the ON / OFF pattern is “ON, OFF, ON” in principle.

Here, the ON / OFF state in the comparative example is shown in FIG.
In FIG. 3, the specification of each refrigerator 3 is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 2). In this comparative example, according to the increase / decrease of the required load, the operation is performed according to the rules of “turn on in order from the highest COP at rated output” and “turn off in order from the lowest COP at rated output”. The refrigerator 3 is determined. For example, when the required load is gradually increased from 0 kW to 5000 kW, each refrigerator 3 is turned on in the order of “No 1”, “No 2”, “No 3”, and conversely the required load is increased from 5000 kW to 0 kW. When the temperature is gradually lowered, each refrigerator 3 is turned off in the order of “No 3”, “No 2”, “No 1”.

  Comparing FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it can be seen that the refrigerators 3 that are turned on are different in sections where the required load is 0 kW to 1000 kW and 3000 kW to 4000 kW. First, in the comparative example of FIG. 3, the “No 1” refrigerator 3 is in the ON state in a section where the required load is 0 kW to 1000 kW. This is because the “No. 1” refrigerator 3 has the highest COP at the rated output. However, in the section where the required load is 0 kW to 1000 kW, as described above, higher COP can be realized by turning on the “No. 2” refrigerator 3 whose rated output is 1000 kW.

  Further, in the comparative example of FIG. 3, all the refrigerators 3 of “No 1”, “No 2”, and “No 3” are in the ON state in the section where the required load is 3000 kW to 4000 kW. This is because the rules of “turning ON state in order of increasing COP at rated output” and “turning OFF state in order of low COP at rated output” were followed. However, if the “No1” and “No3” refrigerators 3 are in the ON state, they can cope with the required load of 4000 kW. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, the “No2” refrigerator 3 is in the OFF state. It can be considered that higher COP can be realized.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the ON / OFF state with the highest COP of the entire refrigerator system 100 is applied in principle in accordance with the required load in consideration of the processing capacity and COP of each refrigerator 3. The As shown in FIG. 2, when the required load gradually increases (or decreases), the required load at the boundary where the ON / OFF state of any of the refrigerators 3 is switched from the ON state to the OFF state. This means that there may be both one refrigerator 3 to be switched and another refrigerator 3 to be switched from the OFF state to the ON state.

(Prediction routine)
In the present embodiment, in order to predict a future heat load, the control device 20 starts a prediction routine shown in FIG. 4 at every predetermined prediction cycle.
In FIG. 4, when the process proceeds to step S202, the control device 20 acquires various parameters for predicting a future heat load.

Here, the acquired parameters are, for example, the following.
(1) Weather forecast: Prediction of changes in temperature and humidity around the building in the next few hours. These can be obtained from a weather information distribution site on the Internet.
(2) Prediction of heat source in the building: For example, prediction of population change in the building, operation schedule of equipment (factory equipment, etc.) in the building, etc.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step S204, the control device 20 predicts a future heat load (for example, about several hours from the current time) based on the acquired parameters. The predicted heat load can be expressed as a graph shown in FIG. 5, for example. FIG. 5 is an example of the prediction result (predicted heat load) of the heat load in one day, the horizontal axis is time and the vertical axis is heat load.

  In FIG. 4, when the process next proceeds to step S206, the control device 20 predicts the ON / OFF prediction information of the refrigerator 3 at each time point from the relationship between the processing capacity and COP of each refrigerator 3 and the predicted heat load. To decide. More specifically, based on the predicted heat load at each time point in FIG. 5 and the processing capacity, COP, etc. of each refrigerator 3, the entire refrigerator system 100 is turned ON / OFF so that the COP at each time point becomes the highest. OFF prediction information is determined. And driving | running | working order prediction information is produced by combining ON / OFF prediction information of each time in a time series.

  For example, in FIG. 5, the predicted heat load in the vicinity of times t 1 and t 3 is about 3500 kW. Therefore, according to FIG. 2, the ON / OFF pattern of the refrigerator 3 of “No 1”, “No 2”, “No 3” is “ ON, OFF, ON ". In addition, since the predicted heat load is about 2500 kW in the vicinity of time t2, according to FIG. 2, the ON / OFF pattern is “ON, ON, OFF”. The driving order prediction information is created by combining such ON / OFF patterns. Next, when the process proceeds to step S <b> 208, the generated driving order prediction information is recorded in the HDD 24 and displayed on the display 25. Thus, the process of the prediction routine shown in FIG. 4 ends.

(Operation control)
In the present embodiment, when the refrigerator system 100 is actually operated, the operator operates the input device 26 while looking at the operation order prediction information displayed on the display 25 to turn each refrigerator 3 ON / OFF. Specify the state manually. Thus, when operating the refrigerator 3 manually, initial introduction cost can be reduced compared with the case where it operates automatically. In the present embodiment, since the operator can operate the input device 26 with reference to the driving order prediction information displayed on the display 25, efficient operation is possible even when the operator is an unskilled person. Can be realized.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, the refrigerator system 100 of 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1). However, in the present embodiment, the control device 20 does not obtain the operation order prediction information in advance, and automatically turns on / off the refrigerator 3 and the like based on the measurement data of the sensor unit 30 during operation of the refrigerator system 100. Turn OFF control. Therefore, in the control device 20, an operation control routine shown in FIG. 6 is started.

  In FIG. 6, when the process proceeds to step S <b> 302, the control device 20 collects measurement data (water temperature, flow rate, inside / outside temperature and humidity, etc.) of each sensor from the sensor unit 30. Next, when the process proceeds to step S304, the control device 20 calculates the actual thermal load q at that time based on the collected data and the above-described equation (1). Next, when the process proceeds to step S306, the control device 20 determines the ON / OFF information of each refrigerator 3 at that time. That is, the ON / OFF information is determined based on the processing capacity and COP of each refrigerator 3 and the actual heat load q at that time so that the COP of the entire refrigerator system 100 becomes the highest.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step S <b> 308, the control device 20 displays the determined ON / OFF information on the display 25 and stores it in the HDD 24. Next, when the process proceeds to step S310, the control device 20 performs ON / OFF control of the refrigerator 3 as necessary based on the determined ON / OFF information. In addition, when performing ON / OFF control of a certain refrigerator 3, the cooling tower 1, the cooling water pump 2, the chilled water primary pump 4, and the like attached to the refrigerator 3 are also ON / OFF controlled. When the process of step S310 ends, the process returns to step S302, and the operations of steps S302 to S310 described above are repeated.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the control device 20 can automatically control the ON / OFF state of the refrigerator 3 based on the measurement data of the sensor unit 30. In particular, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the automatic control in the present embodiment is “the required load at the boundary where the ON / OFF state of any one of the refrigerators 3 is switched when the required load is gradually increased (or decreased). , There is a case where one refrigerator 3 to be switched from the ON state to the OFF state and another refrigerator 3 to be switched from the OFF state to the ON state may exist. By having such characteristics, the ON / OFF information can be determined so that the COP of the entire refrigerator system 100 becomes the highest.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, the refrigerator system 100 of 3rd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).
In the control device 20 of the present embodiment, a prediction routine (FIG. 4) is activated at every predetermined prediction cycle, and driving order prediction information is displayed on the display 25 as in the first embodiment. Further, during the operation of the refrigerator system 100, as in the second embodiment, the operation control routine (FIG. 6) is started by the control device 20, and the ON / OFF state of each refrigerator 3 is automatically set. The As described above, the present embodiment is characterized in that the prediction by the prediction routine (FIG. 4) and the automatic control by the operation control routine (FIG. 6) are used in combination.

  In this embodiment, the ON / OFF state set for each refrigerator 3 is the same as that of the second embodiment as long as it is automatically controlled by the operation control routine (FIG. 6). However, the operator can stop the operation control routine (FIG. 6) as necessary, and can specify the ON / OFF state of each refrigerator 3 by manual operation. In this case, the operator determines at what timing the operation is switched to the manual operation and what ON / OFF state is set by the manual operation. When making the determination, the operator can refer to the driving order prediction information displayed by the prediction routine (FIG. 4), and therefore makes an appropriate determination even when the operator is an unskilled person. Can do.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, the details of the air conditioning remote control system 120 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.
In FIG. 7, the refrigerator system 100 is installed in each of a plurality of bases (buildings). Note that the hardware configuration of one refrigerator system 100 is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1). The control device 20 included in each refrigerator system 100 is connected to the server machine 50 via a communication line 52 and a network 54. The hardware configuration of the server machine 50 is the same as that of the control device 20.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the prediction routine in the present embodiment. Steps S402 to S408 in the figure are executed by the server machine 50, and steps S420 and S422 are executed by the control device 20 at each site.
In FIG. 8, when the process proceeds to step S402, the server machine 50 obtains a weather forecast at the location of each base, and predicts a heat source in the building and a device (factory) in the building from the control device 20 at each base. Parameters such as the operation schedule of the equipment). The contents of the received parameter are the same as those in step S202 of the prediction routine (FIG. 4) of the first embodiment.

  Next, when the process proceeds to step S404, the server machine 50 predicts a future thermal load for each site based on the acquired parameters. Next, when the process proceeds to step S406, the server machine 50 predicts the operation order of the refrigerator 3 for each site based on the relationship between the processing capacity or COP of the refrigerator 3 at each site and the predicted heat load. Determine information.

  The contents of steps S404 and S406 are the same as those of steps S204 and S206 in the prediction routine (FIG. 4) of the first embodiment. Next, when the process proceeds to step S <b> 408, the server machine 50 creates display data (for example, an html file) for displaying the driving order prediction information for each site, and displays the display data for each site via the network 54. To the corresponding base.

  After the display data is disclosed, the control device 20 at each site executes the process of step S420, and the displayed display data is displayed on the display 25 at each site by a Web browser or the like. Next, when the process proceeds to step S422, the driving order prediction information of the base is visually confirmed by the operator of each base. And the operating condition of the refrigerator system 100 is determined for every base.

  For example, as in the first embodiment, the ON / OFF state of each refrigerator 3 may be set by the operator's manual operation with reference to the operation order prediction information, as in the second and third embodiments. In addition, the ON / OFF state of each refrigerator 3 may be automatically controlled by executing an operation control routine (FIG. 6) in the control device 20 at each site. Thus, the process of the prediction routine (FIG. 8) in the present embodiment is completed.

  According to this embodiment, similarly to the first to third embodiments, the refrigerator system 100 can be operated efficiently. Moreover, since acquisition of weather forecasts and creation of driving order prediction information are executed by the server machine 50, the control device 20 at each base can adopt a low processing capability, thereby reducing costs. Can do.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Before describing specific contents of the present embodiment, the outline of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5 again.
If the prediction result of the heat load in one day is as FIG. 5, according to the prediction routine (FIG. 4) applied to 1st Embodiment etc., based on the prediction heat load of each time, refrigerator 3 The driving order prediction information has been created by determining the ON / OFF prediction information of these and combining them in time series.

  Specifically, according to the operation order prediction information obtained in the first embodiment or the like, the ON / OFF pattern of the refrigerator 3 of “No 1”, “No 2”, “No 3” is the time t1, as described above. It becomes “ON, OFF, ON” in the vicinity of t3, and “ON, ON, OFF” in the vicinity of time t2. Then, in the period from time t1 to t3, the ON / OFF state of all the refrigerators 3 is switched four times in total (“No2” is two times and “No3” is two times).

  However, when the ON / OFF of the refrigerator 3 is repeated as described above, there arises a problem that the efficiency of the entire refrigerator system 100 is deteriorated. This is because the temperature of the refrigerator 3 once turned off and the pipes connected thereto are increased in temperature, so that when they are turned on again, power consumption temporarily increases to cool them. . Further, when the operator manually switches the ON / OFF state, the burden on the operator increases. In such a case, it is desirable to unify the ON / OFF pattern to “ON, OFF, ON” in the entire period from time t1 to time t3 in order to increase efficiency and reduce the burden on the operator. it is conceivable that.

  The same applies to the period of time t4 to t6. Since the predicted heat load at times t4 and t6 is about 4200 to 4800 kW, according to FIG. 2, the ON / OFF pattern of the refrigerator 3 of “No1,” “No2,” and “No3” is “ON, ON, "ON". On the other hand, since the predicted heat load at time t5 is about 3500 kW, the ON / OFF pattern is “ON, OFF, ON” according to FIG. In FIG. 5, since the period during which the predicted heat load drops below 4000 kW before and after time t5 is relatively short, the ON / OFF pattern is unified to “ON, ON, ON” in the entire period from time t4 to t6. This may be desirable to increase efficiency and reduce operator burden.

Therefore, in this embodiment (fifth embodiment), the predicted ON / OFF state (FIG. 2) is temporarily changed (only during a period equal to or less than the predetermined time T _th ) because the predicted heat load is temporarily reduced. In this case, the driving order prediction information maintaining the ON / OFF state before and after that is to be output.

The specific contents of this embodiment will be described below.
First, the hardware configuration of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1). Moreover, in the control apparatus 20 of this embodiment, it replaces with the prediction routine (FIG. 4) of 1st Embodiment, and the prediction routine shown in FIG. 9 is started for every predetermined | prescribed prediction period.

  In FIG. 9, the processing of steps S502 to S506 is the same as steps S202 to S206 of the prediction routine (FIG. 4) of the first embodiment. That is, the control device 20 acquires various parameters for predicting the future heat load (S502), predicts the future heat load as shown in the graph of FIG. 5, for example (S504), and the COP at each time point is Driving order prediction information is calculated so as to be the highest (S506).

Next, when the process proceeds to step S508, the control device 20 determines that the ON / OFF pattern of the refrigerator 3 is “pattern A → pattern B → pattern A” within the predetermined time T _{th in} the calculated operation order prediction information. It is determined whether or not there is a period during which the cooling capacity changes in the order of “(the cooling capacity of pattern B is lower than the cooling capacity of pattern A)”. If "Yes" is determined here, the process proceeds to step S510, and the ON / OFF pattern in the period is unified with the pattern A.

To give a specific example of FIG. 5 described above, at time t1, t3, the ON / OFF pattern of the refrigerator 3 of “No1, No2, No3” is “ON, OFF, ON”, which is “pattern A”. Then, the ON / OFF pattern at time t2 is “ON, ON, OFF”, which becomes “pattern B”. If the time until the ON / OFF pattern switches from pattern A to pattern B and then returns to pattern A is less than or equal to a predetermined time T _th , the ON / OFF pattern for that period changes to pattern A (ON, OFF, ON). To be unified.

Similarly, at time t4, t6, the ON / OFF pattern of the refrigerator 3 of “No1, No2, No3” is “ON, ON, ON”. If this is “pattern A”, ON / OFF at time t5 The pattern is “ON, OFF, ON”, which becomes “pattern B”. Also in this case, if the ON / OFF pattern is switched from the pattern A to the pattern B and the time until returning to the pattern A is shorter than the predetermined time T _th , the ON / OFF pattern in the period is the pattern A (ON, ON , ON).
As described above, the period in which the ON / OFF pattern is unified by the process of step S510 is referred to as “pattern unified period”, and is shown as “T ₁ , T ₂ ” in FIG.

  Returning to FIG. 9, if “No” is determined in step S508, the process proceeds to step S512. Here, the driving order prediction information previously calculated in step S506 is determined as final driving order prediction information. Next, when the process proceeds to step S514, the determined driving order prediction information is recorded in the HDD 24 and displayed on the display 25. If the pattern unification period exists, information indicating the pattern unification period is also recorded in the HDD 24 and displayed on the display 25. Thus, the process of the prediction routine shown in FIG. 8 ends.

  In the present embodiment, the operation when the refrigerator system 100 is actually operated is the same as that of the first embodiment. That is, the operator operates the input device 26 while looking at the driving order prediction information displayed on the display 25, and specifies the ON / OFF state of each refrigerator 3 by manual operation. In the present embodiment, the operation order prediction information displayed on the display 25 is set so that the ON / OFF state of the refrigerator 3 does not change as much as possible, so even if the operator is an unskilled person, Efficient operation can be realized.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, the refrigerator system 100 of 6th Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.
The hardware configuration of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment (FIG. 1).
In the control device 20 of the present embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, the prediction routine shown in FIG. 8 is started for each predetermined prediction cycle, and the driving order prediction information (and, if present, the pattern unification period is set). Information) is displayed on the display 25. Further, during the operation of the refrigerator system 100, as in the second embodiment, the control device 20 starts an operation control routine similar to that shown in FIG. 6, and the ON / OFF state of each refrigerator 3 is set. Set automatically.

  However, the operation control routine in the present embodiment is slightly different from the process in step S306 as compared to that in the second embodiment (FIG. 6). That is, in the present embodiment, the ON / OFF state of the refrigerator 3 is not changed within the pattern unification period even if the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 3 that is currently ON is excessive. Thereby, it can prevent that the ON / OFF state of the refrigerator 3 continues changing within a short time, and the efficient operation | use of the refrigerator system 100 can be implement | achieved. However, even within the pattern unification period, when the cooling capacity of the refrigerator 3 is insufficient with respect to the required load, the ON / OFF state is switched so as to satisfy the required load.

[Modification]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made. The above-described embodiments are illustrated for easy understanding of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Further, a part of the configuration of an embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment, and the configuration of another embodiment can be added to the configuration of an embodiment. Further, it is possible to delete a part of the configuration of each embodiment, or to add or replace another configuration. Examples of possible modifications to the above embodiment are as follows.

(1) In each of the above embodiments, the “predicted heat load” is a load predicted by the control device 20 based on a weather forecast, a prediction of a heat generation source in a building, or the like. However, the “predicted heat load” is not limited to this, and includes a “load planned by a human (operator)”. Further, when the predicted heat load is obtained based on the weather forecast, for example, a value obtained by correcting a weather forecast value from past measurement data or a weather forecast value estimated from a past history may be used.

(2) In the processing for obtaining the ON / OFF information or the operation order prediction information of the refrigerator 3 in each of the above-described embodiments (steps S206, S306, S406, S506), the ON / OFF state in which the COP at each time becomes the highest is determined. It was calculated by calculation. However, the ON / OFF pattern corresponding to the required load (for example, the ON / OFF pattern shown in FIG. 2) is stored in advance in the HDD 24 as a table, and the ON / OFF information or the driving order prediction is made by referring to this table. Information may be requested.

(3) In the above embodiments, it is assumed that the COP of the refrigerator 3 is highest when operated near the rated output. However, depending on the type of the refrigerator 3, this premise may not apply. For example, an inverter / turbo refrigerator generally tends to obtain a higher COP at a partial load than at a rated load. Therefore, when determining the operation order, the combination in which the COP of the entire refrigerator system 100 is the highest based on the operating model of the refrigerator and the partial load characteristics of each refrigerator at that time according to the required load. Select and drive.

(4) In addition, the cooling capacity and COP of the refrigerator gradually decrease with time. Therefore, when using a refrigerator of the same model and the same cooling capacity (according to the catalog specifications), turn on / off the refrigerator in order to preferentially turn on the refrigerator with a high COP in view of secular change. You may make it determine an OFF state.

(5) In each of the above embodiments, a temperature sensor that measures the water temperature in each cold water primary return pipe 14 and each cold water primary return pipe 13 and each cold water primary forward pipe 14 or each cold water primary return pipe 13 are provided with cold water. The flow rate sensor which measures the flow volume of this was provided, and the thermal load q was calculated based on the measurement data of these sensors. However, a temperature sensor for measuring the water temperature is provided in the cold water secondary return pipe 15 and the cold water secondary return pipe 16, and a flow rate sensor is provided in the cold water secondary return pipe 15 or the cold water secondary return pipe 16, based on these measurement data. Thus, the heat load q may be calculated.

(6) Since the hardware of the control device 20 and the server machine 50 in each of the above embodiments can be realized by a general computer, the programs shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8, and 9 are stored in a storage medium. Alternatively, it may be distributed through a transmission line.

(7) Although the processing shown in FIGS. 4, 6, 8, and 9 has been described as software processing using a program in each of the above embodiments, a part or all of the processing is performed by ASIC (Application Specific Integrated). Circuit; IC for specific application) or hardware processing using FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or the like may be used.

[Overview of composition and effect]
As mentioned above, 1st, 3rd-6th embodiment is based on the memory | storage part (24, S204, S404, S504) which memorize | stores the prediction heat load which estimated transition of the future heat load, and the said prediction heat load. And an operation order prediction unit (21, S206, S406, S506) for obtaining operation order prediction information of a plurality of refrigerators (3) having different performances.
By setting the ON / OFF state of the refrigerator (3) with reference to this operation order prediction information, efficient operation of the refrigerator (3) can be achieved even when the operator is unskilled. Can be realized.

Moreover, 1st, 3rd-6th embodiment calculates the said prediction thermal load based on a weather forecast, and the thermal load prediction part (21, S204) memorize | stored in the said memory | storage part (24, S204, S404, S504). , S404, S504).
As a result, the predicted heat load can be appropriately calculated based on the weather forecast.

Further, the operation order prediction information indicates that when the predicted heat load increases or decreases and reaches a predetermined boundary value (for example, 1000 kW in FIG. 2), the first refrigerator (No. 1 refrigerator) is turned off. While changing to an ON state, it contains the information which changes a 2nd refrigerator (No. 2 refrigerator) from an ON state to an OFF state.
Thereby, a refrigerator (3) appropriate for the predicted heat load can be selected.

Furthermore, in 3rd, 6th embodiment, the ON / OFF state of each of the said some refrigerator (3) is determined based on the sensor part (30) which measures a thermal load, and the said measured thermal load. The ON / OFF states of the plurality of refrigerators (3) are set based on the ON / OFF states determined by the refrigerator determining unit (21, S306) and the refrigerator determining unit (21, S306) And a setting unit (21, S310).
Thereby, a refrigerator (3) can be automatically controlled corresponding to an actual heat load.

In the fourth embodiment, the storage unit (24, S404) stores the predicted heat load for a plurality of refrigerator systems (100) that are provided at different locations and each have a plurality of refrigerators (3). The operation order prediction unit (21, S406) obtains the operation order prediction information for each of the refrigerator systems (100). The operation order prediction information is obtained from the network (54). ) To the corresponding base.
Thereby, the driving | running | working order prediction information with respect to several bases can be calculated with one chiller control apparatus (50), and it can distribute to each base.

In the fifth and sixth embodiments, in the operation order prediction information, the ON / OFF pattern of the plurality of refrigerators (3) is the first pattern (pattern A: ON within a predetermined time (T _th ). , OFF, ON) changes to a second pattern (pattern B: ON, ON, OFF) having a lower cooling capacity, and then changes to the first pattern (pattern A: ON, OFF, ON). In this case, the driving order prediction information is changed to change the driving order prediction information so that the ON / OFF pattern within the predetermined time (T _th ) is unified with the first pattern (pattern A: ON, OFF, ON). It further has a section (21, S510).
Thereby, the switching frequency of the ON / OFF state of a refrigerator (3) can be suppressed, and operating efficiency can be improved further.

In the second embodiment, the sensor unit (30) that measures the thermal load and the refrigerator determination unit that determines the ON / OFF states of the plurality of refrigerators (3) based on the measured thermal load. (21, S306) and a setting unit (21, S310) for setting the ON / OFF states of the plurality of refrigerators (3) based on the ON / OFF state in the refrigerator determining unit (21, S306). The setting unit (21, S310) has a first refrigerator (No. 1 refrigeration) when the thermal load increases or decreases and reaches a predetermined boundary value (for example, 1000 kW in FIG. 2). Machine) is changed from the OFF state to the ON state, and the second refrigerator (No. 2 refrigerator) is changed from the ON state to the OFF state.
Thereby, a refrigerator (3) appropriate for the actual heat load can be selected.

1 Cooling tower 2 Cooling water pump (pump)
3 Refrigerator 4 Cold water primary pump (pump)
20 Control device (refrigerator control device)
21 CPU (refrigerator determination unit, setting unit, operation order prediction unit, thermal load prediction unit)
24 HDD (storage unit)
25 Display 50 Server machine (refrigerator control device)
52 Communication line 54 Network 100 Refrigerator system

Claims (7)

A storage unit for storing a predicted thermal load that predicts the transition of the future thermal load;
Based on the predicted heat load, an operation order prediction unit for obtaining operation order prediction information of a plurality of refrigerators having different performances;
In the operation order prediction information, the ON / OFF pattern of the plurality of refrigerators changes from the first pattern to the second pattern having a lower cooling capacity within a predetermined time, and then changes to the first pattern. A driving order prediction information changing unit that changes the driving order prediction information so as to unify the ON / OFF pattern within the predetermined time into the first pattern when changing,
A refrigerator control device comprising: Calculating the predicted heat load based on a weather forecast, and a heat load prediction unit stored in the storage unit;
The refrigerator control device according to claim 1, further comprising: When the predicted heat load increases or decreases to reach a predetermined boundary value, the operation order prediction information changes the first refrigerator from the OFF state to the ON state and turns the second refrigerator into the ON state. The refrigerator control device according to claim 2, further comprising: information for changing from an OFF state to an OFF state. A sensor unit for measuring the thermal load;
A refrigerator determining unit that determines the ON / OFF state of each of the plurality of refrigerators based on the measured thermal load;
A setting unit that sets ON / OFF states of the plurality of refrigerators based on the ON / OFF states determined by the refrigerator determining unit;
The refrigerator control device according to claim 3, further comprising: The storage unit is configured to store the predicted heat load for a plurality of refrigerator systems provided at different locations, each having a plurality of refrigerators,
The operation order prediction unit obtains the operation order prediction information for each of the refrigerator systems,
The refrigerator control device according to claim 1, wherein each of the operation order prediction information is transmitted to the corresponding base via a network. The refrigerator control device according to claim 1;
A plurality of refrigerators having different performance, the ON / OFF state of which is controlled by the refrigerator control device;
A plurality of pumps provided corresponding to the plurality of refrigerators, the ON / OFF state of which is controlled together with the corresponding refrigerators;
A refrigerator system characterized by comprising: Computer
Storage means for storing a predicted heat load that predicts the transition of the heat load;
Based on the predicted heat load, operation order prediction means for obtaining operation order prediction information of a plurality of refrigerators having different performances,
In the operation order prediction information, the ON / OFF pattern of the plurality of refrigerators changes from the first pattern to the second pattern having a lower cooling capacity within a predetermined time, and then changes to the first pattern. Driving rank prediction information changing means for changing the driving rank prediction information so as to unify the ON / OFF pattern within the predetermined time into the first pattern when changing.
Program to function as.

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