WO2024090241A1

WO2024090241A1 - Chiller system and chiller system control method

Info

Publication number: WO2024090241A1
Application number: PCT/JP2023/037189
Authority: WO
Inventors: 清輝馬越
Original assignee: 三菱重工サーマルシステムズ株式会社
Priority date: 2022-10-28
Filing date: 2023-10-13
Publication date: 2024-05-02
Also published as: JP2024064812A

Abstract

Provided are a chiller system and a chiller system control method which prevent an insufficient amount of water sprinkling by a water sprinkler device due to a drop in a water supply pressure, thereby suppressing a deterioration in the performance of a chiller unit. A chiller system (1) comprises: a chiller unit group comprising a plurality of chiller units (10) arranged side by side at intervals in one direction; water sprinkler devices (30) which are provided to correspond to each chiller unit and which sprinkle water onto the chiller unit; a water supply pipe (31) connected to each water sprinkler device; a water pressure detecting unit (32) for measuring a water pressure in the water supply pipe; and a control unit (100) for controlling the number of water sprinkler devices that operate, on the basis of the water pressure measured by the water pressure detecting unit.

Description

Chiller system and method for controlling chiller system

This disclosure relates to a chiller system and a method for controlling a chiller system.

　Previously, in a chiller group in which multiple chiller units were arranged in parallel, the amount of water sprayed on each chiller unit was controlled for each chiller unit based on the operating status of each individual chiller unit.

Patent Document 1 discloses that in a chiller group in which multiple chiller units are arranged side by side, the chiller units are equipped with a sprinkler device having multiple sprinkler tubes that can supply water to each side via a nozzle. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses that the sprinkler tubes of the sprinkler device are configured to include a first sprinkler tube for sprinkling water to the end side of the chiller unit arranged at the end of the chiller group, and a second sprinkler tube for sprinkling water between the sides of adjacent chiller units.

Patent Document 2 discloses that the number of chillers in a cooling system is controlled based on the outside air temperature and the outlet liquid temperature of the supply junction pipe through which the refrigerant flows.

JP 2022-75268 A JP 2021-92370 A

However, even if the number of chiller cooling systems is controlled based on temperature as described in Patent Document 2, for example, if the water pressure changes depending on the number of operating sprinkler devices, if the water pressure is low compared to the number of operating sprinkler devices, the water supply pressure for sprinkling water to each sprinkler device will decrease, and chiller units that require water sprinkling cannot be sufficiently cooled, which could lead to a decrease in performance of the chiller units.

This disclosure has been made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a chiller system and a control method for a chiller system that prevents a sprinkler system from causing a shortage of water to be sprayed due to a drop in water supply pressure, and suppresses a decrease in the performance of the chiller unit.

A chiller system according to one aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units arranged side by side at intervals in one direction, a sprinkler device provided corresponding to each chiller unit and sprinkling water on the chiller unit, a water supply pipe connected to each sprinkler device, a water pressure detection unit that measures the water pressure in the water supply pipe, and a control unit that controls the number of sprinkler devices in operation based on the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit.

A chiller system according to one aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units arranged side by side at intervals in one direction, a sprinkler device provided corresponding to each chiller unit and sprinkling water on the chiller unit, a water supply pipe connected to each sprinkler device, a water pressure detection unit that measures the water pressure in the water supply pipe, and a control unit that adjusts the cycle of operation and stoppage of each sprinkler device based on the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit.

A method of controlling a chiller system according to one aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units arranged in parallel with a space in one direction, a sprinkler device provided corresponding to each chiller unit and sprinkling water on the chiller unit, and a water supply pipe connected to each of the sprinkler devices, the method comprising the steps of: measuring the water pressure of the water supply pipe; and controlling the number of sprinkler devices in operation based on the water pressure measured in the water pressure measuring step.

A method of controlling a chiller system according to one aspect of some embodiments of the present disclosure includes a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units arranged in parallel at intervals in one direction, a sprinkler device provided corresponding to each chiller unit and sprinkling water on the chiller unit, and a water supply pipe connected to each of the sprinkler devices, the method comprising the steps of: measuring the water pressure in the water supply pipe; and adjusting the cycle of operation and stoppage of each of the sprinkler devices based on the water pressure measured in the water pressure measuring step.

The present disclosure has the effect of preventing a shortage of water from the sprinkler system due to a drop in water supply pressure, and suppressing a decrease in the performance of the chiller unit.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating adjacent chiller units according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a chiller system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a refrigerant circuit showing a schematic configuration of a chiller unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between a host control unit and a chiller unit control device of a chiller system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a host control unit and a chiller unit control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A functional block diagram showing an example of a function related to water sprinkling control for a chiller unit, among various control functions provided in an upper control unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 10 is an example diagram showing the relationship between the measurement amount of the water pressure detection unit and the number of operating sprinkler devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a timing chart of control for sequentially switching between the sprinkler devices in operation when two sprinkler devices are operated according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 13 is an example diagram showing the relationship between the measurement value of the water pressure detection unit and the sprinkler operation time according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a timing chart of control for adjusting the cycles of operation time and stop time of a sprinkler device based on the measured value of a water pressure detection unit according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[First embodiment]
Hereinafter, a chiller system and a control method for a chiller system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing adjacent chiller units 10 (10-1 to 10-8) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Although the reference numerals of the components of the chiller unit 10 are only shown for chiller unit 10-1, chiller units 10-2 to 10-8 have the same configuration.
The chiller system 1 includes a plurality of chiller units 10 and sprinkler devices 30 (30-1 to 30-8) provided along a side surface 11a of each chiller unit 10. The chiller units 10 are used as outdoor units of air conditioners installed in buildings such as large-scale buildings and warehouses. The chiller units 10 circulate a refrigerant such as water between the chiller units 10 and an indoor unit (not shown) installed in the building. The chiller units 10 cool the refrigerant, and the cooled refrigerant is supplied to a heat exchanger of the indoor unit and exchanges heat with the air in the room.

The multiple chiller units 10 are arranged side by side in a row with a gap between them in the horizontal direction. Hereinafter, the direction in which the chiller units 10 are arranged side by side (left to right direction on the paper in FIG. 1) is referred to as the arrangement direction H1. Each chiller unit 10 extends in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the arrangement direction H1 (depth direction on the paper in FIG. 1 and up to down direction on the paper in FIG. 2) as the depth direction H2. A chiller group is formed by arranging multiple chiller units 10 side by side.

(Chiller unit)
The chiller unit 10 includes a casing 11 , a side opening (not shown), an upper opening (not shown), a heat exchanger 52 , a fan 53 , and a base 25 .

(base)
The base 25 is provided on an installation surface such as the rooftop of the building in which the chiller unit 10 is installed or the ground outside the building. The base 25 extends upward from the installation surface in a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction.
The base 25 has therein a compressor (not shown) and chiller unit control devices 200 (200-1 to 200-8), etc. The chiller unit control device 200 has a function of controlling the chiller unit 10, including the operation of the compressor, the rotation of the fan 53, the flow of the refrigerant inside the heat exchanger 52, etc.

(casing)
The casing 11 accommodates the heat exchanger 52 and the fan 53 therein. In this embodiment, the casing 11 is provided on the base 25. Furthermore, the casing 11 has a cylindrical shape extending in the vertical direction. The width dimension of the casing 11 in the horizontal direction in which the multiple chiller units 10 are adjacent to each other gradually increases from the lower end to the upper end.

In other words, the casing 11 illustrated in this embodiment has a trapezoidal shape that gradually expands from the bottom end to the top end when viewed from the depth direction H2 and the parallel installation direction H1.

As a result, in chiller units 10 adjacent to each other in the parallel installation direction H1, the space S between the casing 11 of one chiller unit 10 and the casing 11 of the other chiller unit 10 becomes gradually narrower from bottom to top in the vertical direction.

The casing 11 has side openings (not shown) on both side surfaces 11a in the parallel installation direction H1. The side openings are formed on the side surfaces 11a of the casing 11 facing the parallel installation direction H1 so as to penetrate the side surfaces 11a. That is, the inside and outside of the casing 11 are in communication via the side openings. The side openings provided on the casings 11 of the chiller units 10 adjacent to each other in the parallel installation direction H1 face each other. The lower end of the casing 11 is closed by the base 25. The casing 11 has an upper opening at its upper end on the upper side in the vertical direction. The upper opening opens toward the top in the vertical direction.

(Heat exchanger)
The heat exchanger 52 is provided in the casing 11. In this embodiment, two heat exchangers 52 are provided for each casing 11. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the heat exchangers 52 are provided, one on each side, in the vicinity of the side surfaces 11a in the parallel installation direction H1, in each casing 11. The heat exchangers 52 are provided along the side surfaces 11a of the casing 11 so as to face the side openings.

(fan)
The fan 53 is provided inside the casing 11. In this embodiment, the fan 53 is disposed near an upper opening inside the casing 11. A plurality of the fans 53 are provided lined up in the depth direction H2 in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, a plurality of the fans 53 are provided inside the casing 11.

The fan 53 is a so-called axial fan that rotates around the central axis of each chiller unit 10 extending in the vertical direction, and has multiple blades arranged in a line in the circumferential direction centered on the central axis. The fan 53 is driven to rotate around the central axis by a motor (not shown). By rotating around the central axis, the fan 53 generates an air flow F, as shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, the fan 53 generates an air flow F from below to above by being driven to rotate around the central axis. In other words, the fan 53 introduces air into the casing 11 from a side opening, and exhausts the introduced air from the upper opening via the heat exchanger 52.

(Water sprinkler system)
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the chiller system 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.
The sprinkler device 30 has a sprinkler pipe 33, a plurality of nozzles 34, and an on-off valve 35 (35-1 to 35-8). One end of a water supply pipe 31 is connected to each sprinkler device 30, and cooling water is supplied from a water supply tank (water supply source) 37 via the water supply pipe 31. The sprinkler pipe 33 has a shape that branches into a first branch pipe 33a and a second branch pipe 33b. A plurality of nozzles 34 are provided on the first branch pipe 33a and the second branch pipe 33b. The sprinkler device 30 supplies cooling water to the space S between adjacent chiller units 10 and the side surface 11a of the chiller unit 10 in order to cool each chiller unit 10.

(Water supply pipe)
The water supply pipe 31 is a metal pipe and is connected to a plurality of sprinkler pipes 33. The water supply pipe 31 is a pipe that supplies cooling water to the sprinkler pipes 33 in order to supply cooling water to the first branch pipe 33a and the second branch pipe 33b. One end of the water supply pipe 31 is connected to a water supply tank 37 having a pump and the like that exists separately from the chiller group, and cooling water is supplied from the water supply tank 37 at a predetermined pressure to the inside of the water supply pipe 31 via the connected one end.

(Water sprinkler pipe)
The sprinkler pipe 33 has a first branch pipe 33 a, a second branch pipe 33 b, and a plurality of nozzles 34.

In this embodiment, a first branch pipe 33a and a second branch pipe 33b are provided for one chiller unit 10.
The first branch pipe 33a is a metal pipe and is arranged to extend along one side surface 11a of the casing 11 of the chiller unit 10 from its left end in the depth direction H2 in Figure 2 to its right end in the depth direction H2.
The second branch pipe 33b is a metal pipe and is arranged to extend along the other side 11a of the casing 11 of the chiller unit 10 from its left end in the depth direction H2 in Figure 2 to its right end in the depth direction H2.

The end of the first branch pipe 33a facing the rear side in the depth direction H2 is blocked to prevent the cooling water flowing inside from leaking out. The same is true for the second branch pipe 33b.

The sprinkler pipe 33 is connected to the water supply pipe 31 in order to supply cooling water into the first branch pipe 33a and the second branch pipe 33b. The sprinkler pipe 33 is provided with an on-off valve 35 (described later) for switching the supply of cooling water.
A plurality of nozzles 34 are provided at predetermined intervals in the first branch pipe 33a and the second branch pipe 33b so as to be capable of spraying water downward in the vertical direction.

This allows cooling water to flow inside the first branch pipe 33a, and the first branch pipe 33a can use the nozzle 34 to spray cooling water onto one side surface 11a of the chiller unit 10 located at one end in the parallel installation direction H1 and into the space near the side surface 11a.

Similar to the first branch pipe 33a, the second branch pipe 33b can use a nozzle 34 to spray cooling water onto the other side 11a of the chiller unit 10 located at the other end in the parallel installation direction H1 and into the space near said side.

(nozzle)
The nozzle 34 is a so-called fan-shaped nozzle made of metal that spreads out in a fan shape with a certain thickness from the spray position of the nozzle 34 to spray cooling water. The nozzle 34 has an outlet (not shown) formed in a groove shape by cutting out a member near the outlet so that the central angle of the fan shape, which is the spray range in the depth direction H2 when viewed from the parallel installation direction H1, is 80° to 100°, preferably 90°.

A plurality of nozzles 34 (eight nozzles each on the first branch pipe 33a and the second branch pipe 33b in this embodiment) are provided at predetermined positions on the first branch pipe 33a and the second branch pipe 33b at intervals. The arrangement of the nozzles 34 may be changed as appropriate depending on the environment in which the water sprinkler device 30 is used.
The nozzle 34 provided in the first branch pipe 33a of the chiller unit 10 at one end in the parallel installation direction H1 sprays cooling water onto the side surface 11a on one side of each chiller unit 10 and the space near the side surface 11a. The nozzle 34 provided in the second branch pipe 33b of the chiller unit 10 at the other end in the parallel installation direction H1 sprays cooling water onto the side surface 11a on the other side of the chiller unit 10 and the space near the side surface 11a.

Nozzles 34 provided on the first branch pipe 33a or the second branch pipe 33b spray cooling water into the space S partitioned between the sides of the chiller units 10 facing each other in the parallel installation direction H1, and onto both side surfaces 11a of the chiller units 10 facing each other.

The nozzles 34 provided on the first branch pipe 33a or the second branch pipe 33b can also spray water on areas around other chiller units 10 adjacent to the chiller unit 10 where water is being sprayed that are not being sprayed.

(Shut-off valve)
The on-off valve 35 is provided in each sprinkler device 30 and is a valve for switching between supplying water from the water supply tank 37 to the sprinkler device 30 and not supplying water. The on-off valve 35 is provided, for example, in the sprinkler pipe 33. The on-off valve 35 is controlled so that its open/closed state is switched in response to the operation or stop of each sprinkler device 30 being switched by the higher-level control unit (control unit) 100 described below.

(Water pressure detection section)
The water pressure detection unit 32 is provided in the water supply pipe 31 and measures the water supply pressure of the water transported from the water supply tank 37 to each sprinkler device 30. The water pressure detection unit 32 is connected to the higher-level control unit 100 (described later) via a communication medium, and is configured to be capable of two-way communication. The water pressure detection unit 32 is preferably provided upstream of the transport path that transports the cooling water from the water supply tank 37 to the sprinkler device 30.

(Temperature measurement section)
The temperature measurement unit 36 measures the outside air temperature in the environment in which the chiller unit group is installed. For example, a thermocouple is used as the temperature measurement unit 36. The temperature measurement unit 36 is connected to the higher-level control unit 100 (described later) via a communication medium, and is configured to be capable of two-way communication.

(Chiller unit refrigerant circuit)
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a refrigerant circuit showing a schematic configuration of the chiller unit 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.
The chiller unit 10 has a configuration in which two refrigeration cycle systems, i.e., a first refrigeration cycle system R1 and a second refrigeration cycle system R2, and a water system section 43 are housed inside the housing of the chiller unit 10. The first refrigeration cycle system R1 and the second refrigeration cycle system R2 are arranged in series in a water pipe 58.

The number of refrigeration cycle systems provided in the chiller unit 10 and the arrangement of the refrigeration cycle systems relative to the water piping 58 are not limited to the example described in this embodiment. For example, there may be a single or multiple refrigeration cycle systems, and in this embodiment, four refrigeration cycle systems are provided. The multiple refrigeration cycle systems may be arranged in parallel in the water piping 58, or a combination of serial and parallel arrangements may be used.

The first refrigeration cycle system R1 and the second refrigeration cycle system R2 each include a compressor 45, an oil separator 46, a check valve 47, a four-way valve 48, a water heat exchanger 59 (first water heat exchanger 59A, second water heat exchanger 59B), a receiver 50, an electronic expansion valve 51, a heat exchanger 52, and a gas-liquid separator 54. The heat exchanger 52 is provided with a fan 53.

The compressor 45 draws in gas refrigerant, compresses it, and discharges it. The oil separator 46 separates the oil in the compressed refrigerant discharged from the compressor 45 and returns it to the compressor 45. The check valve 47 prevents the compressed refrigerant from flowing back.

The four-way valve 48 has two selectable positions: a heating operation mode in which the compressed refrigerant discharged from the compressor 45 is sent to the water heat exchanger 59, and a cooling operation mode in which the refrigerant is sent to the heat exchanger 52.

The water heat exchanger 59 is a heat exchanger that functions as a condenser by condensing the compressed refrigerant in the heating operation mode, and as an evaporator by vaporizing the condensed refrigerant in the cooling operation mode. The water flowing through the water system section 43 is heated or cooled by the heat of condensation or vaporization to generate hot water for heating, hot water or hot water for hot water supply, or cold water for cooling.

The first refrigeration cycle system R1 has a first water heat exchanger 59A, and the second refrigeration cycle system R2 has a second water heat exchanger 59B.

The receiver 50 is a tank that stores a predetermined amount of condensed liquid refrigerant. The electronic expansion valve 51 reduces the pressure of the condensed refrigerant to promote evaporation. Outside air is supplied to the heat exchanger 52 by a fan 53. The heat exchanger 52 functions as an evaporator that vaporizes the condensed refrigerant in the heating operation mode, and as a condenser that condenses the compressed refrigerant in the cooling operation mode. The gas-liquid separator 54 separates the refrigerant before it is drawn into the compressor 45, and draws only the gas refrigerant into the compressor 45.

The water system section 43 is configured with a water inlet section 55, a water pump 56, a water outlet section 57, and water piping 58. The water pump 56 is installed in the water piping 58 extending from the water inlet section 55.

Furthermore, the chiller unit 10 is equipped with a refrigerant temperature detection unit 61 and a refrigerant pressure detection unit 62.

The refrigerant temperature detection unit 61 is installed upstream and/or downstream of the connection ports of the first water heat exchanger 59A and the second water heat exchanger 59B in the first refrigeration cycle system R1 and the second refrigeration cycle system R2, and detects the temperature of the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigeration cycle system R1 and the second refrigeration cycle system R2.

The refrigerant pressure detection units 62 are installed on the suction side and discharge side of the compressor 45 in the first refrigeration cycle system R1 and the second refrigeration cycle system R2, respectively, and detect the pressure of the refrigerant flowing through the first refrigeration cycle system R1 and the second refrigeration cycle system R2.

(Host control unit and chiller unit control device)
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between the host control unit 100 and chiller unit control devices 200 (200-1 to 200-8) of the chiller system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
As shown in Fig. 4, the host control unit (control unit) 100 is connected via a communication medium to a chiller unit control device 200, which is a control device for each chiller unit 10, and is configured to be capable of two-way communication. The host control unit 100 is, for example, a control unit that controls the entire chiller system 1, and has a function of determining which sprinkler device 30 is to be operated based on the operating status of each chiller unit 10 as described below, as well as controlling the number of chiller units 10 to be sprinkled. The chiller unit control device 200 is provided in each chiller unit 10, and controls each chiller unit 10 based on a control command given from the host control unit 100.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the host control unit 100 and the chiller unit control device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The host control unit 100 and the chiller unit control device 200 provided in each chiller unit 10 are computer systems and include, for example, a CPU 81, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 82 for storing programs and the like executed by the CPU 81, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 83 that functions as a work area when each program is executed, a hard disk drive (HDD) 84 as a large-capacity storage device, and a communication unit 85 for connecting to a network or the like. Other storage devices such as a solid state drive (SSD) may also be used as the large-capacity storage device. These units are connected via a bus 88.

The upper level control unit 100 and the chiller unit control device 200 provided in each chiller unit 10 may include an input unit such as a keyboard or mouse, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device for displaying data.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a function related to controlling water spraying on the chiller unit 10, among the various control functions of the upper-level control unit 100. As shown in FIG. 6, the upper-level control unit 100 includes an information acquisition unit 101, a memory unit 102, a judgment unit 103, an on-off valve switching unit 104, a timer unit 105, and an abnormality detection unit 106.

(Information Acquisition Unit)
The information acquisition unit 101 acquires the load of each chiller unit 10 as operation information from the chiller unit control device 200. The information acquisition unit 101 acquires the measurement amount Pdet of the water pressure detection unit 32 provided in the water supply pipe 31 and the measurement value of the temperature measurement unit 36 as operation information.
The load on the chiller unit 10 may be, for example, the pressure of the refrigerant circulating within the chiller unit 10, the outside air temperature in the environment in which the chiller unit 10 is installed, the operating time of the sprinkler system 30 corresponding to the chiller unit 10, etc.

(Memory unit)
The memory unit 102 stores a reference value of the load on the chiller unit 10 to appropriately sprinkle water on each chiller unit 10. The reference value of the load is a reference value used to determine whether the number of operating sprinkler devices 30 or the operating conditions are appropriate for the current load on the chiller unit 10. The reference value may be a predetermined value set in advance by the user. The memory unit 102 stores the past operating history of each chiller unit 10 and the sprinkler device 30, and the reference value may be set based on the past operating history.

(Judgment Department)
The determination unit 103 determines which sprinkler device 30 should be operated based on the load of each chiller unit 10 acquired by the information acquisition unit 101. As a specific example, the determination unit 103 determines that it is necessary to perform sprinkling on the chiller unit 10 for which the highest refrigerant pressure is detected among the refrigerant pressures of the chiller units 10 acquired by the information acquisition unit 101.

(On-off valve switching section)
The on-off valve switching unit 104 switches the on-off state of each on-off valve 35 in response to the operation or stop of each sprinkler device 30 based on the judgment result of the judgment unit 103. By opening only the on-off valve 35 corresponding to the sprinkler device 30 that performs water sprinkling, water is supplied only to the sprinkler device 30 that performs water sprinkling.

(Timekeeping section)
The timing unit 105 measures the operation time of the sprinkler device 30 corresponding to each chiller unit 10. The operation time of the sprinkler device 30 is, for example, a continuous operation time or an accumulated operation time. The judgment unit 103 may judge whether to operate or stop each sprinkler device 30 based on the operation time of each sprinkler device 30 measured by the timing unit 105.

The abnormality detection unit 106 detects that an abnormality has occurred in the operation of the chiller system 1 and notifies the user that an abnormality has occurred. For example, if the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit 32, Pdet, falls below a predetermined value set in advance for a predetermined period of time, an abnormality in the chiller system is detected and the user is notified of the abnormality in the chiller system 1.

(Controlling the number of sprinklers according to the amount of detected water pressure)
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the measured value Pdet of the water pressure detection unit 32 and the number of operating sprinkler devices 30. In FIG.
The host control unit 100 has a map in which the number of sprinklers 30 that are operated simultaneously decreases as the measured water pressure amount Pdet measured by the water pressure detection unit 32 decreases. Then, based on the map, the number of sprinklers 30 in operation is controlled according to the measured water pressure amount Pdet of the water pressure detection unit 32. For example, when 0.8 MPa≦Pdet, the judgment unit 103 judges that water can be supplied to eight sprinklers 30-1 to 30-8. Then, the host control unit 100 operates the sprinklers 30-1 to 30-8 based on the judgment result of the judgment unit 103.

If 0.4MPa≦Pdet<0.8MPa, the judgment unit 103 judges that water can be supplied to the four sprinkler devices 30. The upper control unit 100 then operates the four sprinkler devices 30 based on the judgment result of the judgment unit 103. Here, the four sprinkler devices 30 that are operated are either a combination of 30-1, 30-3, 30-5, and 30-7, or a combination of 30-2, 30-4, 30-6, and 30-8. In this way, by operating every other sprinkler device 30 in the arrangement direction H1 in FIG. 2, cooling by sprinkling water is performed even for chiller units 10 for which the corresponding sprinkler device 30 is stopped.

If Pdet<0.4MPa, the judgment unit 103 judges that water can be supplied to two sprinkler devices 30. Then, the upper control unit 100 operates the two sprinkler devices 30 based on the judgment result of the judgment unit 103. Here, the two sprinkler devices 30 to be operated are any of the combinations of 30-1 and 30-5, 30-2 and 30-6, 30-3 and 30-7, and 30-4 and 30-8.

When two or four sprinkler devices 30 are in operation, the upper control unit 100 controls the operation or stop of each sprinkler device 30 so that the intervals between each operating sprinkler device 30 are equal. In this way, by controlling the intervals between the operating sprinkler devices 30 so that the intervals between the operating sprinkler devices 30 are equal, cooling by sprinkling water is also performed on chiller units 10 located at a point away from the operating sprinkler devices 30.

When there are two or four operating sprinkler devices 30, the upper control unit 100 uses the timing unit 105 to measure the operating time of each sprinkler device 30, and controls the sequential switching of the operating sprinkler device 30 at predetermined intervals. By sequentially switching the operating sprinkler device 30 at predetermined intervals, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a particular chiller unit 10 is not cooled by sprinkling water for a long period of time, and to suppress performance deterioration or failure caused by the extended operating time of a particular sprinkler device 30.

8 is a timing chart of control for sequentially switching the operating sprinkler device 30 when two sprinkler devices 30 are operated. Each of the sections separated by dashed lines at elapsed times t1 to t5 is equally spaced.
First, at elapsed time t1, which is the start time of sprinkling, only sprinklers 30-1 and 30-5 are operated so that the operating sprinklers 30 are spaced at equal intervals, and the other sprinklers 30-2, 30-3, 30-4, 30-6, 30-7, and 30-8 are stopped. At this time, chiller units 10-1, 10-2, 10-4, 10-5, and 10-6 are cooled by sprinkling water by sprinklers 30-1 and 30-5.

At elapsed time t2, a predetermined time after elapsed time t1, sprinkler devices 30-1 and 30-5 are stopped and control is switched to operate sprinkler devices 30-2 and 30-6. At this time, chiller units 10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-5, 10-6, and 10-7 are cooled by sprinkler devices 30-2 and 30-6 spraying water.

At elapsed time t3, a predetermined time after elapsed time t2, sprinkler devices 30-2 and 30-6 are stopped, and control is switched to operate sprinkler devices 30-3 and 30-7. At this time, chiller units 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-6, 10-7, and 10-8 are cooled by sprinkler devices 30-3 and 30-7 spraying water.

At elapsed time t4, a predetermined time after elapsed time t3, sprinkler devices 30-3 and 30-7 are stopped, and control is switched to operate sprinkler devices 30-4 and 30-8. At this time, chiller units 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-7, and 10-8 are cooled by sprinkler devices 30-4 and 30-8 spraying water.

At elapsed time t5, a predetermined time after elapsed time t4, only sprinklers 30-1 and 30-5 are operated, as at elapsed time t1 when sprinkler 30 started operating, and the other sprinklers 30-2, 30-3, 30-4, 30-6, 30-7, and 30-8 are stopped. Thereafter, the cycle of elapsed times t1 to t5 is repeated.

As a result, when the measured water pressure Pdet of the water supplied to the sprinkler devices 30 is low, the upper control unit 100 limits the number of sprinkler devices 30 that operate simultaneously, and controls the sprinkler devices 30 that are spaced at equal intervals to operate simultaneously. Furthermore, the upper control unit 100 switches the operating sprinkler device 30 at predetermined intervals. As a result, each chiller unit 10 is cooled sequentially, which makes it possible to suppress performance degradation of chiller units 10 installed at a position distant from the operating sprinkler device 30.

In the above example, an example of control for operating two sprinkler devices 30 simultaneously is shown, but the number of sprinkler devices 30 operating simultaneously may be changed as appropriate based on the measured water pressure amount Pdet, user settings, the operating state of the chiller system 1, etc.
In the above example, the water pressure detection unit 32 is provided in the water supply pipe 31, but it may also be provided in the sprinkler pipe 33, the first branch pipe 33a, or the second branch pipe 33b, and may be changed as appropriate based on the user's usage conditions.

(Detection of abnormalities in chiller systems)
For example, the upper control unit 100 may detect abnormalities in each chiller unit 10 or the chiller system 1 equipped with each sprinkler device 30 based on the measurement value Pdet of the water pressure detection unit 32 when each sprinkler device 30 is operating.
The storage unit 102 included in the upper control unit 100 stores an allowable time length during which the measured water pressure Pdet measured by the water pressure detection unit 32 falls below a predetermined value. The time length is a time that is set in advance by the user. The timer unit 105 times the time length during which the measured water pressure Pdet falls below the predetermined value.

The abnormality detection unit 106 judges whether the length of time that the measured water pressure Pdet measured by the timer unit 105 falls below a predetermined value is equal to or longer than the allowable length of time stored in the memory unit 102. If the length of time that the measured water pressure Pdet falls below the predetermined value is equal to or longer than the allowable length of time, the abnormality detection unit 106 notifies the user that an abnormality has occurred in the water supply path of the water source in the chiller system 1, and that the supply of water to each sprinkler device 30 and the cooling of each chiller unit 10 cannot be performed sufficiently, and urges the user to perform maintenance on the chiller system 1.

In this way, the water pressure of the water supplied to each sprinkler device 30 is measured by the water pressure detection unit 32, and the time length during which the measured water pressure Pdet falls below a predetermined value is measured by the timing unit 105. The abnormality detection unit 106 can then measure the presence or absence of an abnormality in the operating state of the chiller system 1 based on the timing results of the timing unit 105. Furthermore, the abnormality detection unit 106 can prompt the user to perform maintenance, thereby enabling the abnormality in the chiller system 1 to be resolved early.

(Detection of failure of chiller unit or sprinkler system)
The upper control unit 100 is capable of two-way communication with each chiller unit control device 200, and may determine a malfunction of the chiller unit 10 or the sprinkler system 30 based on the measured value Pdet of the water pressure detection unit 32, which is operating information.
For example, the memory unit 102 stores, as operation information, the measured amount Pdet of the water pressure detection unit 32 acquired by the information acquisition unit 101 and the change in load of each chiller unit 10 corresponding to the combination of each operating sprinkler device 30. This makes it possible to store the amount of change in load of each chiller unit 10 when each sprinkler device 30 is operated in association with the measured amount Pdet of the water pressure detection unit 32.

The judgment unit 103 compares the current operation information of the chiller unit 10 acquired by the information acquisition unit 101 with the past operation information of the chiller unit 10 when the currently operating sprinkler system 30 was operated in the past. Then, if the comparison shows that the change in the load of the chiller unit 10 corresponding to the operation of a specific sprinkler system 30 is significantly different from the past operation information, it judges that the operation of the chiller unit 10 is not normal. In other words, it judges that there is a malfunction of the chiller unit 10 or the sprinkler system 30.

If the judgment unit 103 judges that the chiller unit 10 or the sprinkler system 30 is malfunctioning, the abnormality detection unit 106 notifies the user that the chiller unit 10 or the sprinkler system 30 may be malfunctioning. This allows the user to know that the chiller system 1 is not functioning normally, and allows the user to promptly carry out maintenance on the malfunctioning chiller unit 10 or sprinkler system 30.

In the above example, the judgment unit 103 judges whether the chiller unit 10 or the sprinkler system 30 is faulty based on the measured water pressure Pdet, but it may also determine whether a fault has occurred based on the load of each chiller unit 10, the measurement value of the temperature measurement unit 36, and the open/close state of the on-off valve 35, thereby more precisely identifying whether the chiller unit 10 or the sprinkler system 30 is faulty.

[Second embodiment]
(Adjusting the sprinkler on/off time cycle)
In the first embodiment, the number of operating sprinkler devices 30 is controlled based on the measured amount Pdet of the water pressure detection unit 32, thereby making it possible to supply water to each sprinkler device 30 and cool each chiller unit 10. This embodiment is characterized in that the cycle of operation time and stop time of the sprinkler device 30 is adjusted based on the measured amount Pdet of the water pressure detection unit 32 provided in the water supply pipe 31.

Figure 9 is an example diagram showing the relationship between the measured value Pdet of the water pressure detection unit 32 and the operating time. Figure 10 is a timing chart of the control that adjusts the cycle of the operating time and stop time of the sprinkler device 30 based on the measured value Pdet of the water pressure detection unit 32. Each section separated by a dashed line at elapsed times t1 to t6 is equally spaced.

First, in FIG. 9, if the measured water pressure amount Pdet measured by the water pressure detection unit 32 is equal to or greater than the preset value of 0.4 MPa (0.4 MPa≦Pdet), the operation cycle of each sprinkler 30 is adjusted so that an operation time of 10 seconds and a stop time of 20 seconds is repeated as one cycle. As a result, when the measured water pressure amount Pdet is equal to or greater than the preset value of 0.4 MPa, sufficient water to cool each chiller unit 10 is supplied to each sprinkler 30, so that each chiller unit 10 can be cooled even if the operation time is shorter than the stop time. By shortening the operation time of each sprinkler 30, the chiller system 1 is made more efficient.

If the measured water pressure Pdet by the water pressure detection unit 32 is less than the preset value of 0.4 MPa (Pdet<0.4 MPa), the operation cycle of each sprinkler 30 is adjusted to repeat a cycle of 20 seconds of operation and 10 seconds of stoppage. As a result, when the measured water pressure Pdet is less than 0.4 MPa, sufficient water is not supplied to each sprinkler 30 to cool each chiller unit 10, so the operation time is made longer than the stoppage time to ensure cooling of each chiller unit 10. In this way, even if the supply of water supplied to each sprinkler 30 is reduced, each chiller unit 10 is cooled, so the performance of each chiller unit 10 can be reduced.

Next, FIG. 10 is a timing chart of the control that adjusts the cycle of operation time and stop time of the sprinkler device 30 based on the measured amount Pdet of the water pressure detection unit 32. The upper timing chart is a timing chart when the measured amount Pdet is equal to or greater than the preset value of 0.4 MPa. The lower timing chart is a timing chart when the measured amount Pdet is less than the preset value of 0.4 MPa. All of the intervals separated by dashed lines at elapsed times t1 to t6 are equally spaced. As an example, the time interval between each interval is 10 seconds.

When the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit 32 is 0.4 MPa or less Pdet, sufficient water is supplied to each sprinkler device 30, and the upper control unit 100 adjusts the operation cycle of each sprinkler device 30 to a cycle in which the operation time is shorter than the stop time. When the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit 32 is Pdet < 0.4 MPa, water is supplied to each sprinkler device 30, and the upper control unit 100 adjusts the operation cycle of each sprinkler device 30 to a cycle in which the operation time is longer than the stop time.

In this way, when the water pressure of the water supplied to the sprinkler device 30 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the operation cycle of the sprinkler device 30 is adjusted to a cycle in which the operation time is shorter than the stop time. When the water pressure of the water supplied to the sprinkler device 30 is less than a predetermined value, the operation cycle of the sprinkler device 30 is adjusted to a cycle in which the operation time is longer than the stop time. As a result, even when the water pressure of the water supply pipe 31 is low, each chiller unit 10 can be cooled by each sprinkler device 30, and a decrease in performance of each chiller unit 10 can be suppressed.
The operation time and stop time may be changed as appropriate based on the user's settings, the operating state of the chiller system 1, etc.

The present disclosure has been described above using embodiments, but the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments without departing from the gist of the invention, and forms with such modifications or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. The above embodiments may be combined as appropriate.

The chiller system according to the first aspect of the present disclosure (1) comprises a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units (10) arranged in parallel at intervals in one direction, a sprinkler device (30) provided corresponding to each chiller unit and sprinkling water to the chiller unit, a water supply pipe (31) connected to each sprinkler device, a water pressure detection unit (32) that measures the water pressure in the water supply pipe, and a control unit (100) that controls the number of sprinkler devices in operation based on the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit.

The chiller system according to the present disclosure includes a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units arranged in parallel at intervals in one direction, a sprinkler device provided corresponding to each chiller unit and sprinkling water to the chiller unit, a water supply pipe connected to each sprinkler device, a water pressure detection unit that measures the water pressure of the water supply pipe, and a control unit that controls the number of operating sprinkler devices based on the water pressure detected by the water pressure detection unit. That is, the control unit switches the number of operating sprinkler devices that sprinkle water based on the water pressure of the water flowing through the water supply pipe measured by the water pressure detection unit. As a result, even if the water pressure from the water supply source decreases and the amount of water supplied decreases, the control unit can reduce the number of sprinkler devices based on the measured water pressure. As a result, even if the water pressure of the water supply for cooling the chiller unit decreases, it is possible to prevent a shortage of water sprinkling to the chiller unit and suppress a decrease in performance of the chiller unit.

In the chiller system according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the control unit is provided with a map that determines the number of sprinkler devices that are operated simultaneously as the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit decreases.

In the chiller system of the present disclosure, the control unit is provided with a map in which the lower the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit, the fewer the number of sprinklers that are operated simultaneously. In other words, the smaller the amount of water that can be supplied from the water supply source to each sprinkler device, the fewer the number of operating sprinkler devices that are the supply destination. This allows appropriate cooling by sprinkling water on the chiller unit in which the sprinkler device is operating, even when the amount of water that can be supplied to the sprinkler device is small, and suppresses deterioration in the performance of the chiller unit.

The chiller system according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the first or second aspect, sequentially switches between the operating sprinkler devices among the plurality of sprinkler devices at predetermined time intervals.

In the chiller system disclosed herein, the control unit sequentially switches the operating sprinkler device among the multiple sprinkler devices at predetermined time intervals. This allows the chiller units that provide the cooling effect of sprinkling water to be switched sequentially, making it possible to efficiently cool all chiller units.

The chiller system according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to third aspects, in which the intervals between the operating sprinkler devices are equal.

In the chiller system of the present disclosure, the multiple sprinkler devices are spaced equally apart from one another when in operation. In other words, the chiller units in which cooling by sprinkling is performed are switched every predetermined time while maintaining equal spacing between the operating sprinkler devices. This allows all chiller units to obtain the cooling effect of sprinkling water in turn at predetermined times, so that all chiller units can be cooled evenly.

The chiller system (1) according to the fifth aspect of the present disclosure comprises a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units (10) arranged in parallel at intervals in one direction, a sprinkler device (30) provided corresponding to each chiller unit and sprinkling water to the chiller unit, a water supply pipe (31) connected to each of the sprinkler devices, a water pressure detection unit (32) that measures the water pressure of the water supply pipe, and a control unit (100) that adjusts the cycle of operation time and stop time of each of the sprinkler devices based on the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit.

In the chiller system according to the present disclosure, the control unit adjusts the period of operation time and stop time of each of the sprinkler devices based on the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit. For example, if the water pressure of the water flowing through the water supply pipe is sufficient to sprinkle water on each chiller unit, the operation time of the sprinkler device is extended and the stop time is shortened. If the water pressure of the water flowing through the water supply pipe is low and it is not possible to properly sprinkle water on each chiller unit, the operation time of the sprinkler device is shortened and the stop time is lengthened. In this way, the control unit adjusts the operation time and stop time of each sprinkler device based on the measurement results of the water pressure detection unit so that the chiller units are properly sprinkled. As a result, even if the water pressure of the water supply pipe is low, each chiller unit can be cooled by each sprinkler device, and a decrease in performance of each chiller unit can be suppressed.

In the chiller system according to the sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the control unit further includes an abnormality detection unit (106) that measures and notifies the user that an abnormality has occurred in the chiller system, and the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality in the chiller system when the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit falls below a predetermined value set in advance for a predetermined period of time, and notifies the user of the abnormality in the chiller system.

In the chiller system of the present disclosure, the control unit further includes an abnormality detection unit that detects and notifies the user that an abnormality has occurred in the chiller system, and the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality in the chiller system and notifies the user of the abnormality in the chiller system when the water pressure detected by the water pressure detection unit falls below a predetermined value set in advance for a predetermined period of time. This allows the user to understand abnormalities in the chiller system, specifically, equipment malfunctions and damage to the water supply source and water supply path, and to quickly repair the chiller system. This can extend the life of each chiller unit and prevent malfunctions in the air conditioning system that uses the chiller units.

The chiller system according to the seventh aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to sixth aspects, in which the control unit includes a memory unit (102) that stores, for each sprinkler device, the water pressure of the water flowing through the water supply pipe when the sprinkler device is operating, and the control unit determines whether or not there is a malfunction in the chiller unit or the sprinkler device based on the difference between the current water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit and the past water pressure stored in the memory unit.

In the chiller system of the present disclosure, the control unit includes a memory unit that stores, for each sprinkler device, the water pressure of the water flowing through the water supply pipe when the sprinkler device is operating, and the control unit determines whether or not the chiller unit is faulty based on the difference between the current water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit and the past water pressure stored in the memory unit. This allows for prompt maintenance of a faulty chiller unit or sprinkler device.

The control method for a chiller system (1) according to the eighth aspect of the present disclosure includes a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units (10) arranged in parallel at intervals in one direction, a sprinkler device (30) provided corresponding to each chiller unit and sprinkling water to the chiller unit, and a water supply pipe (31) connected to each of the sprinkler devices, and includes the steps of measuring the water pressure in the water supply pipe and controlling the number of sprinkler devices in operation based on the water pressure detected in the water pressure measuring step.

The control method for a chiller system (1) according to the ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in a chiller system including a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units (10) arranged in parallel at intervals in one direction, a sprinkler device (30) provided corresponding to each chiller unit and sprinkling water to the chiller unit, and a water supply pipe (31) connected to each of the sprinkler devices, includes a step of detecting the water pressure in the water supply pipe, and a step of adjusting the cycle of operation time and stop time of each of the sprinkler devices based on the water pressure detected in the step of measuring the water pressure.

1 Chiller system 10 (10-1 to 10-8) Chiller unit 11 Casing 11a Side 25 Base 30 (30-1 to 30-8) Sprinkler device 31 Water supply pipe 32 Water pressure detection unit 33 Sprinkler pipe 33a First branch pipe 33b Second branch pipe 34 Nozzle 35 (35-1 to 35-8) Opening and closing valve 36 Temperature measurement unit 37 Water supply tank 43 Water system unit 45 Compressor 46 Oil separator 47 Check valve 48 Four-way valve 50 Receiver 51 Electronic expansion valve 52 Heat exchanger 53 Fan 54 Gas-liquid separator 55 Water inlet unit 56 Water pump 57 Water outlet unit 58 Water piping 59 Water heat exchanger 59A First water heat exchanger 59B Second water heat exchanger 61 Refrigerant temperature detection unit 62 Refrigerant pressure detection unit 81 CPU
82 ROM
83 RAM
84 HDD
85 Communication unit 88 Bus 100 Upper control unit 101 Information acquisition unit 102 Memory unit 103 Determination unit 104 On-off valve switching unit 105 Time measurement unit 106 Abnormality detection unit 200 Chiller unit control device F Air flow H1 Parallel installation direction H2 Depth direction Pdet Measurement amount R1 First refrigeration cycle system R2 Second refrigeration cycle system S Space t1, t2, t3, t4, t5, t6 Elapsed time

Claims

a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units arranged in parallel at intervals in one direction;
a water sprinkler provided in correspondence with each of the chiller units and configured to sprinkle water on the chiller units;
A water supply pipe connected to each of the water sprinkler devices;
A water pressure detection unit that measures the water pressure of the water supply pipe;
A control unit that controls the number of operating sprinkler devices based on the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit.
The chiller system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is provided with a map that determines the number of sprinklers that are operated simultaneously as the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit decreases.
The chiller system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sequentially switches between the sprinkler devices in operation among the plurality of sprinkler devices at predetermined intervals.
The chiller system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sprinkler devices are arranged such that the intervals between the operating sprinkler devices are equal.
a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units arranged in parallel at intervals in one direction;
a water sprinkler provided in correspondence with each of the chiller units and configured to sprinkle water on the chiller units;
A water supply pipe connected to each of the water sprinkler devices;
A water pressure detection unit that measures the water pressure of the water supply pipe;
A control unit that adjusts the cycles of operation time and stop time of each sprinkler device based on the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit.
The control unit further includes an abnormality detection unit that detects and notifies that an abnormality has occurred in the chiller system,
6. The chiller system according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality in the chiller system and notifies a user of the abnormality in the chiller system when the water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit falls below a predetermined value for a predetermined period of time.
The control unit includes a memory unit that stores, for each sprinkler device, a water pressure of water flowing through the water supply pipe when the sprinkler device is operated,
The chiller system of claim 1 or 5, wherein the control unit determines whether or not there is a malfunction of the chiller unit or the sprinkler device based on the difference between the current water pressure measured by the water pressure detection unit and the past water pressure stored in the memory unit.
a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units arranged in parallel at intervals in one direction;
a water sprinkler provided in correspondence with each of the chiller units and configured to sprinkle water on the chiller units;
A water supply pipe connected to each of the water sprinkler devices;
In a chiller system comprising:
Measuring the water pressure of the water supply pipe;
and controlling the number of sprinkler devices in operation based on the water pressure measured in the water pressure measuring step.
a chiller unit group including a plurality of chiller units arranged in parallel at intervals in one direction;
a water sprinkler provided in correspondence with each of the chiller units and configured to sprinkle water on the chiller units;
A water supply pipe connected to each of the water sprinkler devices;
In a chiller system comprising:
Measuring the water pressure of the water supply pipe;
and a step of adjusting the cycles of operation time and stop time of each of the sprinkler devices based on the water pressure measured in the step of measuring the water pressure.