Intelligent Pumping System Cuts Energy by 55% in Chillers

Danish pump manufacturer Grundfos has launched a new distributed pumping system (DPS) for commercial air-conditioning systems in Asia, aiming to help customers save up to 50% of energy consumption with intelligent pumps and temperature sensors.

The first installation of the DPS was made at Grundfos’ own Singapore head- quarters, which consists of an office and factory block. Between November 2016 and May 2017, the building achieved 55% pump-system energy savings.

The second installation was carried out at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic Environmental & Water Technology Centre of Innovation, also in Singapore. The building was already Platinum-certified in Singapore’s Green Mark certification scheme. This project also achieved a 55% pump-system energy saving.

“With sustainability being a very key part of Grundfos’ DNA, our DPS demonstrates our commitment to create cleaner and more energy-efficient technologies to enable our customers to reduce their energy consumption, and limit their impact on the environment,” Anders Christiansen, Regional Business Director, Building Services for Grundfos Asia Pacific, said in a statement.

How does the DPS work?

Where traditional chiller systems often run at a constant speed, and over-pump to compensate for discrepancies between chilled water supply and return water temperatures, Grundfos’ DPS is designed to operate optimallly, said Grundfos.

The system achieves this by constantly regulating the water flow based on feedback from the temperature sensors, delivering the needed flow and matching the requirements of the different building zones. Apart from being energy-efficient and money-saving, this regulation also ensures consistent temperatures in the buildings and increased user comfort. Grundfos said.

Due to the self-regulating nature of the DPS, it doesn’t require any control valves.

The core of the distributed pumping system are Grundfos’ Magna3 and TPE3 pumps. Both series feature built-in sensors, variable-speed drives, controller and communications module and an IE5 motor.

The TPE3 pump is a dry-runner, vertical in-line pump, which is used as the primary pump. It is currently available in sizes up to 2.2kW, with a performance range of up to 25m (82ft) head and 80m³ (2,825ft³) per hour flow. The Magna3 is a wet-runner circulator, used as the secondary pump. It has a maximum twin of 18m (59ft) and a flow of up to 70m³ (2,472ft³) per hour.

“Cooling and ventilation has become a part of everyday life, and for the warm, tropical regions of Asia, it is especially pertinent in making cities habitable,” Christiansen noted.