DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure flow control valves and particularly relates to a dynamic balancing valve to dynamically control the flow in any process applicable without the use of conventional flow measurement devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Hydronic HVAC systems are designed to provide a high level of thermal comfort, have low energy consumption, and must provide the flow rates as designed. Hence, balancing and flow control valves provide the proper distribution of water flow within the hydronic system to meet these demands.
A balancing valve is a type of valve used in fluid systems, such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, to regulate and balance the flow of fluid through different sections of a system. It helps to maintain a balanced flow rate and pressure distribution, ensuring that each branch or circuit within the system receives its required flow rate. The purpose of a balancing valve is to address any imbalances in the flow of fluid caused by temperature demand, variations in pipe lengths, pipe diameters, or pressure differences within the system.
These balancing valves are conventionally manual valves with a handle and screw mechanism for adjustment. A conventional manual balancing valve is either configured in a globe valve pattern or in a Y-pattern and typically includes a hand wheel for manual fine flow regulation, a separate flow measurement device to establish flow rate and a locking arrangement to prevent tampering of valve setting.
However, with growing need for larger projects (both commercial and residential sectors) courtesy growing urbanization, the size of cooling plants has been increasing. The amount of chilled and condenser water to be balanced has rapidly increased, as chiller sizes have increased multifold with increased tonnage in mega projects. Also, in warm climates in almost every project and especially in the middle east region chilled water plants with large capacities are employed.
As a result, in the low demand period when the chilled water requirement is less, there is need to regulate the chilled water flow manually by the operator through the manual balancing valve. Also, for the larger projects particularly in Gulf region and data centre the operator is required to physically move to the remote location of the valve and manually reset the valve settings which is required due to load change over the time or temperature change during day and night. Hence, whenever there is a load change requirement because of temperature variations or otherwise, flow regulation in the HVAC system requires manual reset from the valve. Although the above-mentioned paragraphs of this section explain the usage of dynamic balancing valve in HVAC system, however this also finds application in process application in chemical, petrochemical and oil & gas plant.
Therefore, the present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more of the problems as set forth above. In particular, there is an urgent need of a dynamic balancing valve which can change the flow in the HVAC system dynamically as per the system demand.
OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present disclosure is to provide a dynamic balancing valve.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dynamic balancing valve which can change the flow in a HVAC system and other process application as per the demand of the system.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dynamic balancing valve with remote monitoring and control.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dynamic balancing valve to improve the efficiency and energy saving of the HVAC system and other process application.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dynamic balancing valve which can be installed horizontally, vertically, or in slanting position in a pipeline of the HVAC system and other process application.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to avoid requirement of longer straight pipeline upstream to the location of the balancing valve.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to measure the flow in the pipeline without the use of an additional flow measuring device where balancing valve itself acts as a flow measuring device.
These and other objectives & advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The present disclosure relates to a dynamic balancing valve assembly for automated fluid flow regulation in a HVAC system and process application such as in chemical petrochemical and oil & gas plants etc. The dynamic balancing valve assembly includes a dynamic balancing valve having an axially extending fluid passage defining an upstream end and a downstream end, a flow transmitter, a pre calibrated modulating actuator, and a dynamic controller. The dynamic balancing valve is further provided with a first measuring ring and a second measuring ring configured at the upstream end and the downstream end, respectively. The flow transmitter is connected to the first measuring ring and the second measuring ring and configured to measure differential pressure of the fluid between the upstream end and the downstream end. The pre calibrated modulating actuator is configured to control fluid flow rate across the dynamic balancing valve. The dynamic controller is connected to the flow transmitter and the pre calibrated modulating actuator, and configured to obtain fluid flow rate of the dynamic balancing valve from the measured differential pressure of the fluid by the flow transmitter. The dynamic controller is configured to communicate feedback and command signals to operate the pre calibrated modulating actuator for dynamic balancing of the dynamic balancing valve based on at least one predefined parameter set by a user for the HVAC system or other process application.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the dynamic controller is configured to compare the fluid flow rate received from the flow transmitter with a desired value of fluid flow rate set by the user, to calculate an error and to operate a valve disc of the dynamic balancing valve by the pre calibrated modulating actuator, based on the error.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the dynamic controller is configured to set value of opening percentage of the dynamic balancing valve.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predefined parameter is selected from the group consisting of load and temperature.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the dynamic controller is further connected to a remotely located building management system (BMS) or process control system as application.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pre calibrated modulating actuator is further connected to a local control panel configured to manually override the actuator by the user in an event of power failure.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a diameter of the dynamic balancing valve (102) is in the range of 350 mm to 1000 mm.
The present disclosure further relates to a method of operating a dynamic balancing valve of a dynamic balancing valve assembly. The method comprises the steps of measuring differential pressure of fluid flowing through the dynamic balancing valve by a flow transmitter connected to a first measuring ring and a second measuring ring of the dynamic balancing valve. Obtaining fluid flow rate of the dynamic balancing valve by a dynamic controller, from the measured differential pressure of the fluid by the flow transmitter. Obtaining a desired fluid flow rate based on at least one predefined parameter set by a user. Calculating an error between the obtained fluid flow rate and the desired fluid flow rate. Communicating feedback and command signals to a pre calibrated modulating actuator based on the error. Operating a valve disc of the dynamic balancing valve by the pre calibrated modulating actuator based on the error, for dynamic balancing of the dynamic balancing valve.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the predefined parameter is selected from the group consisting of load and temperature required for a HVAC system or from the process demand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
It will be recognized by the person of ordinary skill in the art, given the benefits of this disclosure, that the examples shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, certain features or components shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Certain features or components may have been enlarged, reduced, or distorted to facilitate a better understanding of the illustrative aspects and examples disclosed herein. In addition, the use of shading, pattern, dashes, and the like in the figure is not intended to imply or mean any particular material or orientation unless otherwise from the context.
FIG. 1 illustrates a layout diagram of a dynamic balancing valve assembly (100), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 2 illustrates a photographic image of a dynamic balancing valve (102), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
FIG. 3 shows a layout diagram of a dynamic balancing valve assembly (100) controlled by an external (owner’s) BMS/SCADA system / process control system (108), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a method (400) of operating a dynamic balancing valve (102) of a dynamic balancing valve assembly (100), according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.
It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment,” “another embodiment”, “an implementation”, “another implementation” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment”, “in one implementation”, “in another implementation”, and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures proceeded by “comprises... a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or additional devices or additional sub-systems or additional elements or additional structures.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The apparatus, system, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Further, the term sterile barrier and sterile adapter denotes the same meaning and may be used interchangeably throughout the description.
The present disclosure relates to a dynamic valve balancing assembly for a Heating, Ventilation, and Air conditioning (hereinafter may be referred as HVAC) system and also for process application in process plants such as chemical plants, petrochemical plant ,oil & gas plants etc. A balancing valve is a type of valve used in fluid systems, such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, to regulate and balance the flow of fluid through different sections of a system. Through the dynamic balancing valve assembly of the present disclosure, the fluid flow in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system or process system is changed dynamically as per the system demand from a remotely located control system.
FIG. 1 illustrates a layout diagram of a dynamic balancing valve assembly 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The dynamic balancing valve assembly 100 includes a dynamic balancing valve 102 which has an axially extending fluid passage defining an upstream end and a downstream end. A photographic image of the dynamic balancing valve 102 is illustrated in FIG. 2. In an embodiment, the diameter of the dynamic balancing valve 102 is in the range of 50 mm (2 inch) to 1500 mm (60 inch). The dynamic balancing valve 102 is structured with a first measuring ring 114a and a second measuring ring 114b which are positioned at the upstream end and the downstream end, respectively. The dynamic balancing valve assembly 100 further includes a flow transmitter 112 which is connected to the first measuring ring 114a and the second measuring ring 114b and configured to measure differential pressure of the fluid between the upstream end and the downstream end of the dynamic balancing valve 102. The dynamic balancing valve 102 is provided with a pre calibrated modulating actuator 104 which is configured to operate and control fluid flow rate across the dynamic balancing valve 102 by opening and closing a valve disc of the valve 102. The first measuring ring 114a and a second measuring ring 114b of the balancing valve 102 are attached to the flow transmitter 112 to measure, control and monitor the water pressure at the inlet and outlet of the valve 102. The dynamic balancing valve assembly 100 is provided with a dynamic controller 106 which is connected to the flow transmitter 112 and the pre calibrated modulating actuator 104, and configured to compute fluid flow rate of the dynamic balancing valve 102 from the measured differential pressure of the fluid by the flow transmitter 112. In an embodiment, the dynamic controller 106 is configured to compare the fluid flow rate received from the flow transmitter 112 with a desired value of fluid flow rate set by the user, to calculate an error and to operate a valve disc of the dynamic balancing valve 102 by the pre calibrated modulating actuator 104, based on the error. In an embodiment, the maximum and minimum value of the fluid flow which can be automatically set by the dynamic controller depends upon the size of the dynamic balancing valve (102). The complete flow data with reference fluid as water, is provided in below Table 1.
Table 1
Sr. No System Size (DN) Min. flow
(m3/hr) Max Flow
(m3/hr)
1 350 105 1730
2 400 145 2260
3 450 155 2860
4 500 175 3535
5 600 235 5090
6 700 335 6930
7 750 430 7950
8 800 590 9050
9 900 1230 11450
10 1000 2065 14000

The dynamic controller 106 may compare the signals received from the flow transmitter 112 with the desired value and generates a signal based on the error. The signal dictated by the dynamic controller 106 is received by the modulating actuator 104 to accurately locate the valve disc in a position for valve opening and closing. The dynamic balancing valve assembly 100 is further equipped with a Local Control Station (LCS) 110 which may be integrated to the modulating actuator 104 to ensure manual operation by an operator while the dynamic controller 106 provides process control signals for operating the modulating actuator 104. The Local Control Station (LCS) 110 is supplied with uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and is configured to power the modulating actuator 104 and allow operator to operator the dynamic the balancing valve 102 manually from local control panel 110 in an event of main power failure. Alternately, the dynamic balancing valve 102 can be manually operated by the user using handwheel provided the dynamic balancing valve 102 by over ridding the actuator 104. These are two options to operate the valve under main power planer situation.
Option 1: The local control panel 110 is provided with 230 VAC UPS power supply. In case of main power failure, power to the calibrated actuator 104 is supplied through the local control panel 110 which can operate the dynamic balancing valve 102 manually under local mode as the local control panel 110.
Option 2: Operate the dynamic balancing valve 102 using hand wheel which overrides the actuator 104.
In an embodiment, the Local Control Station (LCS) 110 may be separately located at a remote location and may be operated by a Building Management system (BMS) 108. In an embodiment, the dynamic controller 106 may receive the demand requirement from a remote external (owner’s) Building Management system (BMS) 108 or supervisory control data acquisition system (SCADA). The present disclosure provides the dynamic balancing valve assembly 100 for automated flow regulation in a Heating, Ventilation, and Air conditioning (HVAC) system and process system as per the requirement. The dynamic large size balancing valve is designed and equipped with differential pressure transmitter 112 and a pre calibrated modulating actuator 104 which provides dynamic balancing with variation in load and temperature of the HVAC as well as in other process application system through the signals received from the dynamic controller 106. For the HVAC series, dynamic balancing valve 102 is either operated based on the flow requirement in different distribution levels or based on the temperature requirement. These are the two parameters feedback of actuator and pressure transmitter which are used to set the dynamic controller 106 set point which in turn operate the dynamic balancing valve 102. The present disclosure advantageously facilitates dynamic flow changes in the HVAC system and other process system resulting in improved efficiency and energy saving.
Figure 3 shows a dynamic balancing valve assembly controlled by an external (owner’s) BMS/SCADA system / process control system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the dynamic controller 106 of the dynamic balancing valve assembly 100 is further connected to a remotely located building management system (BMS) / SCADA system / process control system 108. The dynamic balancing valve assembly 100 includes the balancing valve 102 provided with the valve actuator 104 for opening and closing the valve. The inlet and outlet ports of the balancing valve 102 are attached to the flow transmitter 112 through measuring rings 114 to measure, control and monitor the water pressure at the inlet and outlet. The transmitter is connected to a building management system (BMS) 108 or a supervisory control data acquisition system (SCADA) or process control system (108). The actuator 104 receives input from (BMS) 108 or SCADA system or process control system to control the valve opening and closing of the dynamic balancing valve 102.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the dynamic flow balancing assembly is provided with a high performance, pre calibrated modulating valve with electric actuator and position feedback controls and a local control station (LCS) for dynamic balancing locally or from Dynamic Controller/ Building Management System (BMS) / SCADA system / process control system as applicable.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the dynamic flow balancing assembly is provided with a differential pressure transmitter, command and position feedback signals to dynamic controller for dynamic balancing. The dynamic balancing is accomplished from actuator Local Control Panel (LCS) by operators using push button and in the event of power failure a manual override is provided for safety.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the percentage opening and flow values of the balancing valves is changed dynamically through a Dynamic Controller.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the balancing valve is designed as per ISO 5752 and has tight shut off available in PN 16/20 ratings.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the measuring ports are inbuilt in the flanges of the valve for balancing and measurement and are supplied with digital differential pressure transmitter for dynamic balancing within dimensions of butterfly valve.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flow balancing accuracy of the balancing valve is of the order of plus or minus 7%.
The present disclosure further provides a method 400 of operating a dynamic balancing valve 102 of a dynamic balancing valve assembly 100. FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart of steps in the method 400 of operating a dynamic balancing valve 102 of a dynamic balancing valve assembly 100, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 400 enables automated fluid flow regulation of a dynamic balancing valve assembly 100 in a HVAC system or in process system.
In the method 400, at step 402, differential pressure of the fluid flowing through the dynamic balancing valve 102 is measured by a flow transmitter 112 which is connected to a first measuring ring 114a and a second measuring ring 114b of the dynamic balancing valve 102.
At step 404, fluid flow rate of the dynamic balancing valve 102 is obtained by a dynamic controller 106 from the measured differential pressure of the fluid by the flow transmitter 112.
At step 406, a desired fluid flow rate is obtained based on at least one predefined parameter set by a user. In an embodiment, the predefined parameter is selected from the group consisting of load and temperature required for a HVAC system or in process system. In an embodiment, the predefined parameter may be provided by the user and the desired fluid flow rate is calculated by the dynamic controller 106 based on the value of the predefined parameter entered by the user.
At step 408, an error is calculated between the obtained fluid flow rate and the desired fluid flow rate.
At step 410, feedback and command signals are communicated to a pre calibrated modulating actuator 104 based on the error.
At step 412, a valve disc of the dynamic balancing valve 102 is operated by the pre calibrated modulating actuator 104 based on the error value, for dynamic balancing of the dynamic balancing valve 102.
ADVANTAGES:
The dynamic balancing valve assembly of the present disclosure provides the advantages of:
1. Control from dedicated Dynamic controller or Remote control via SCADA/BMS / process control system thereby eliminating manual fixed balancing valve errors.
2. Can be installed in horizontally/ vertically or in slanting pipelines.
3. Capable of functioning as a balancing and service isolation valve.
4. Has reduced weight and occupies less space.
5. Dynamic balancing with reduce maintenance cost, improve operability and efficiency resulting in energy saving.
6. Provides centralised operation for indications of differential pressure (DP) and percentage opening and flow control of valves.
7. Flexibility in installation with no requirement of longer straight pipe length.
8. As an example, right flow balancing contributing to efficient operations of Cooling Tower in condense circuit and managing of Low Delta-T syndrome in Chilled Water Circuit.
Since the demand is continuously being updated as set point in the dynamic controller, the present system is expected to save up to 10% of energy depending upon the system capacity.

List of reference numerals and characters:
S No. Items Reference Numeral
1 Dynamic balancing valve Assembly 100
2 Dynamic Balancing valve 102
3 Actuator 104
4 Dynamic Controller 106
5 Building Management System / SCADA system / control system (PCS) 108
6 Location Control Station 110
7 Flow Transmitter 112
8 Measuring Ring 114 ,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A dynamic balancing valve assembly (100) for automated fluid flow regulation in a HVAC system, the dynamic balancing valve assembly (100) comprising:
a dynamic balancing valve (102) having an axially extending fluid passage defining an upstream end and a downstream end structured with a first measuring ring (114a) and a second measuring ring (114b) configured at the upstream end and the downstream end, respectively;
a flow transmitter (112) connected to the first measuring ring (114a) and the second measuring ring (114b) and configured to measure differential pressure of the fluid between the upstream end and the downstream end of the dynamic balancing valve (102);
a pre calibrated modulating actuator (104) configured to operate the dynamic balancing valve (102) and control fluid flow rate across the dynamic balancing valve (102);
a dynamic controller (106) connected to the flow transmitter (112) and the pre calibrated modulating actuator (104), and configured to compute the fluid flow rate of the dynamic balancing valve (102) from the measured differential pressure of the fluid by the flow transmitter (112);
wherein the dynamic controller (106) is configured to communicate command signals to operate the pre calibrated modulating actuator (104) for dynamic balancing of the dynamic balancing valve (102) based on the predefined parameter set by a user for the HVAC system or for process system and receive feedback signals from the pre-calibrated actuator (104) related to corresponding dynamic valve opening.
2. The dynamic balancing valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dynamic controller (106) is configured to compare the fluid flow rate received from the flow transmitter (112) with a desired value of fluid flow rate set by the user, to calculate an error and to operate a valve disc of the dynamic balancing valve (102) by the pre calibrated modulating actuator (104), based on the error.

3. The dynamic balancing valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dynamic controller (106) is configured to set value of opening percentage of the dynamic balancing valve (102).
4. The dynamic balancing valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dynamic controller (106) is configured to set the fluid flow rate through the dynamic balancing valve (102), wherein maximum and minimum value of the fluid flow rate depends upon the size of the dynamic balancing valve (102).
5. The dynamic balancing valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predefined parameter is selected from the group consisting of load, flow requirement in different distribution levels or temperature requirement.
6. The dynamic balancing valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dynamic controller (106) is further connected to a remotely located building management system (BMS).
7. The dynamic balancing valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre calibrated modulating actuator (104) is further connected to a local control panel (110) which is supplied with uninterrupted power supply (UPS) and is configured to power the actuator (104) and allow operator to operator the dynamic the balancing valve (102) manually from local control panel (110) in an event of main power failure.
8. The dynamic balancing valve assembly (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a diameter of the dynamic balancing valve (102) is in the range of 50 mm to 1500 mm.
9. A method of operating a dynamic balancing valve (102) of a dynamic balancing valve assembly (100), the method comprising:
- measuring (402), by a flow transmitter (112) connected to a first measuring ring (114a) and a second measuring ring (114b) of the dynamic balancing valve (102), differential pressure of fluid flowing through the dynamic balancing valve (102);
- calculating (404), by dynamic controller (106), fluid flow rate of the dynamic balancing valve (102) from the measured differential pressure of the fluid by the flow transmitter (112);
- setting (406) a desired fluid flow rate based on at least one predefined parameter set by a user in the dynamic controller.
- calculating (408) an error between the obtained fluid flow rate and the desired fluid flow rate by the dynamic controller.
- communicating (410) feedback and sending by command signals from the dynamic controller to the pre calibrated modulating actuator (104) based on the error; and
- operating (412) a valve disc of the dynamic balancing valve (102) based on the error, by the pre calibrated modulating actuator (104), for dynamic balancing of the dynamic balancing valve (102).
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the predefined parameter is selected from the group consisting of load and temperature required for a HVAC system.