How to achieve energy savings & precise control for HVAC with the use of VFD Controls?
As one of the most successful energy management tools ever applied to building HVAC systems, variable frequency drives (VFD) have been successfully installed on fan and pump motors in a range of variable load applications. This is largely due in part to the energy savings of 35 to 50 percent that result in a return on investment. Here at IndustLabs our VFDs are continuously proven to be ever more useful and powerful by ensuring the best quality product for both numerous system benefits and the increasing range of available applications. Our drives can be installed in practically any HVAC application found in commercial and institutional buildings regardless of the limitations that the earlier generation of drives had. Thus systems using our VFDs can be operated at higher voltages that result in off the shelf systems for motors up to 500 horsepower. Our systems also operate at a nearly constant power factor over the entire speed range of the motor. Meaning the low power factor issues that arose with the earlier generation of drives will not seen in Industlab VFDs. Another problem that has been corrected by our systems is operational noise. As the output frequency of the drives decreased in response to the load, vibrations induced in the motor laminations generated noise that is easily transmitted through the motor mounts to the building interior. Our drives operate at higher frequencies, resulting in the associated noise being above the audible range.
In addition, here are other interesting topics for VFD Control:
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The Heart of VFDs
Most conventional building HVAC applications are designed to operate fans and pumps at a constant speed. Building loads, however, are anything but constant. In a conventional system, some form of mechanical throttling can be used to increase water or air flow in the system. The drive motor, however, continues to operate at full speed, using nearly the same amount of energy regardless of the heating or cooling load on the system. While mechanical throttling can provide a good level of control, it is not very efficient. VFDs offer an effective and efficient alternative. There are two main factors that work together to improve operating efficiency with VFDs.
The first factor would be the VFDs capability to operate at less than full load capacity. Most building systems are inefficiently sized for peak load conditions. The issue is that in typical applications, peak load conditions occur between 1 and 5 percent of the annual operating hours. This means that pump and fan motors use more energy than necessary 95 to 99 percent of their operating hours. This issue is further compounded by the practice of oversizing the system design to allow for underestimated and unexpected loads as well as future loads that might result from changes in how the building space is used. A VFDs ability to adjust accordingly to its present conditions rather than peak load conditions allows a decrease of energy usage throughout the year.
The second main reason our VFDs are so efficient is because motor energy use is a function of speed. The most commonly used motor in building HVAC systems is the induction motor. With induction motors, the power drawn by the motor varies with the cube of the motor’s speed. This means that if the motor can be slowed by 25 percent of its normal operating speed, its energy use is reduced by nearly 60 percent. At a 50 percent reduction in speed, energy use is reduced by nearly 90 percent.
The installation of a VFD in an HVAC application addresses the inefficiencies introduced by the first factor, while producing the energy savings made possible by the second. The VFD accomplishes this by converting 60 cycle line current to direct current, then to an output that varies in voltage and frequency based on the load placed on the system. As the system load decreases, the VFD’s controller reduces the motor’s operating speed so that the flow rate through the system meets but does not exceed the both load requirements.
VFD Benefits
Another benefit of the our Custom VFDs are reduced wear and tear on the motors. When an induction motor is started, it draws a much higher current than during normal operation. This inrush current can be three to ten times the full-load operating current for the motor, generating both heat and stress in the motor’s windings and other components. In motors that start and stop frequently, this contributes to early motor failures. In contrast, when a motor connected to a VFD is started, the VFD applies a very low frequency and low voltage to the motor. are gradually ramped up at a controlled rate to normal operating conditions, extending motor life.
VFDs also provide more precise levels of control of applications. For example, high-rise buildings use a booster pump system on the domestic water supply to maintain adequate water pressure at all levels within the building. Conventional pump controls in this type of application can maintain the pressure within a certain range, but a VFD-based system can maintain more precise control over a wider range of flow rates, while reducing energy requirements and pump wear.
VFD controllers can also be used with a range of applications, but the ones that will produce the most significant benefits are those that require variable speed operation. For example, the flow rate produced by pumps serving building HVAC systems can be matched to the building load by using a VFD to vary the flow rate. Similarly, in systems that require a constant pressure be maintained regardless of the flow rate, such as in domestic hot and cold water systems, a VFD controlled by a pressure set-point can maintain the pressure over most demand levels.
The majority of commercial and institutional HVAC systems use variable volume fan systems to distribute conditioned air. Most are controlled by a system of variable inlet vanes in the fan system and variable air volume boxes. As the load on the system decreases, the variable air volume boxes close down, increasing the static pressure in the system. The fan’s controller senses this increase and closes down its inlet vanes. While using this type of control system will reduce system fan energy requirements, it is not as efficient or as accurate as a VFD-based system.
Another candidate for VFD use is a variable refrigerant flow systems. Variable refrigerant flow systems connect one or more compressors to a common refrigerant supply system that feeds multiple evaporators. By piping refrigerant instead of using air ducts, the distribution energy requirements are greatly reduced. Because the load on the compressor is constantly changing based on the demand from the evaporators, a VFD can be used to control the operating speed of the compressor to match the load, reducing energy requirements under part-load conditions.
Additional VFD applications
While the primary benefit of both of these VFD applications is energy savings for HVAC its other benefits should not be ignored. VFDs are well suited for use in other applications where energy conservation is of secondary importance. For example, our VFDs can provide precise speed or torque control in certain commercial applications. Such applications include the usage of dual fans or pumps. With the precise speed control of a VFD it can be ensured that the two units are operated at the desired speed and do not end up fighting each other or having one unit carry more than its design load level.
It should be noted that advances in technology have increased the number of loads that can be driven by VFDs. Today, VFDs are available with voltage and current ratings that can match the majority of three-phase induction motors found in buildings. With 500 horsepower units or higher available, facility executives have installed them on large capacity centrifugal chillers where very large energy savings can be achieved. One of the most significant changes that has taken place recently is that with the widespread acceptance of the units and the recognition of the energy and maintenance benefits, manufacturers are including VFD controls as part of their system in a number of applications.
A Few Cautions
It should be noted that when evaluating the installation of a VFD, facility executives should take into consideration a number of factors related to the specifics of the application. For example, most VFDs emit a series of pulses that are rapidly switched. These pulses can be reflected back from the motor terminals into the cable that connects the VFD to the motor. In applications where there is a long run between the motor and the VFD, these reflected pulses can produce voltages that exceed the line voltage, causing stresses in the cable and motor windings that could lead to insulation failure. While this effect is not very significant in motors that operate at 230 volts or less, it is a concern for those that operate at 480 volts or higher. For those applications, minimize the distance between the VFD and the motor, use cabling specifically designed for use with VFDs, and consider installing a filter specifically designed to reduce the impact of the reflected pulses. Another factor to consider is the impact the VFD may have on the motor’s bearings. The pulses produced by the VFD can generate a voltage differential between the motor shaft and its casing. If this voltage is high enough, it can generate sparks in the bearings that erode their surfaces. This condition can also be avoided by using a cable designed specifically for use with VFDs.
IndustLabs VFD Energy Savings for HVAC
Here at IndustLabs we make a quality reliable VFD package solution. We can provide a specifically designed for your operation’s specifications. If you would like to learn more about our VFD package solution, be sure to contact us today.