Boiler optimization for multiple boiler heating plants
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A controller system for controlling a plurality of parallel central heating boilers comprising;
- a boiler selection means;
said boilers selection means including a fuel consumption profile for at least some of the boilers and boiler combinations capable of satisfying a heating load at a given outdoor air temperature;
said fuel consumption profile comparing the relative efficiency of each boiler or boiler combination in terms of fuel use per degree unit time as a function of degree unit time for each said boiler or boiler combination;
a boiler controller for placing each boiler or boiler combination on line in response to a signal from said boiler selection means;
outdoor air temperature sensing means in communication with said boiler selection means;
means to compare each fuel consumption profile to determine which boiler or boiler combination consumes the least amount of fuel at the sensed outdoor temperature and to signal said boiler selection means to select the determined boiler combination;
whereby the boiler or boiler combination which consumes the lowest amount of fuel at the sensed outdoor air temperatures are operated.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for operation and optimization of boilers in a multiboiler heating plant. The apparatus includes a boiler selection means which is typically a computer which includes a fuel consumption profile for the boilers in the plant. A boiler controller is connected to the boiler selection means. An outdoor air temperature sensor is provided. In operation the fuel consumption profile of the various boilders at the current outdoor air temperature are compared and the boiler which will consume the least amount of fuel per degree day or other time unit is selected for operation.
-
Citations
26 Claims
-
1. A controller system for controlling a plurality of parallel central heating boilers comprising;
-
a boiler selection means; said boilers selection means including a fuel consumption profile for at least some of the boilers and boiler combinations capable of satisfying a heating load at a given outdoor air temperature; said fuel consumption profile comparing the relative efficiency of each boiler or boiler combination in terms of fuel use per degree unit time as a function of degree unit time for each said boiler or boiler combination; a boiler controller for placing each boiler or boiler combination on line in response to a signal from said boiler selection means; outdoor air temperature sensing means in communication with said boiler selection means; means to compare each fuel consumption profile to determine which boiler or boiler combination consumes the least amount of fuel at the sensed outdoor temperature and to signal said boiler selection means to select the determined boiler combination; whereby the boiler or boiler combination which consumes the lowest amount of fuel at the sensed outdoor air temperatures are operated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
12. A controller system for controlling a plurality of parallel heating boilers comprising;
-
a boiler selection means; said boiler selection means including a fuel consumption profile for at least some of the boiler, and boiler combination capable of satisfying a heating load at a given outdoor air temperature; outdoor air temperature sensing means in communication with said boiler selection means; means to compare each fuel consumption profile to determine which boiler or boiler combination consumes the least amount of fuel at the sensed outdoor temperature; means to inform the operator of the boiler or boiler combinations which will consume the least amount of fuel at the current outdoor air temperature. - View Dependent Claims (14, 16)
-
-
20. A method of operating boilers in a multiple boiler heating plant comprising:
-
(a) operating a plurality of boilers and boiler combinations which will satisfy load demand for a particular heating load as a function of outdoor air temperature over a preselected range of outdoor air temperatures; (b) measuring the boiler fuel consumption per degree preselected time interval for the operated boilers; (c) sensing the temperature during said time interval and converting said temperature to degree days; (d) measuring the current outdoor air temperature and converting said temperature to a degree day; (e) selecting the boiler or boiler combination which has the lowest fuel consumption per degree day for the degree days equivalent to the measured outdoor temperature; (f) operating the selected boiler or boiler combination. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
Specification