Condenser Water Loop

The Condenser Water Loop features a supply side with Cooling Towers, pumps, pipes, and control devices. The demand side may include chillers, heat exchangers, and WCPU cooling and heating coils. Cool water, generated by Cooling Towers through evaporation, is distributed by pumps to the demand side for efficient cooling and heating processes.

System

Min. Loop Temp.

Specify the Min. Loop Temp defines the maximum allowable temperature in Celsius for this loop.

Max Loop Temp.

Specify the Max Loop Temp., establishing the minimum allowable temperature in Celsius for this loop.

Load Distribution Scheme

Specify the Load Distribution Scheme, choosing from Optimal, Sequential Load, Uniform Load, Sequential Uniform PLR, and Uniform PLR. This scheme determines the algorithm for sequencing equipment operation to meet plant loop demand effectively.

Design Loop Exit Temp.

Specify the Design Loop Exit Temp., determining the water temperature in degrees Celsius at the exit of the supply side of the plant loop. This represents the temperature of the water supplied to the demand side of the loop.

Design Loop Temp. Difference

Specify the Design Loop Temp. Difference, indicating the design temperature rise (for cooling or condenser loops) or fall (for heating loops) in degrees Celsius across the demand side of a plant loop. This temperature difference guides component models in determining flow rates needed to meet design capacities.

Sizing Option

Specify the Sizing Option, offering a choice between Coincident and Non-coincident. Coincident sizing triggers additional iterations, using coincident flow rates of each plant loop component to size the total loop flow rate. Non-coincident sizing sums up the component flow rates to determine plant loop flow rates.

Sizing Method

Specify the Sizing Method as Autosize or Manual. For Manual sizing, ensure all numerical fields are completed with valid entries.

Min. Loop Flow Rate

Specify the Min. Loop Flow Rate is a numeric field indicating the minimum loop flow rate in cubic meters per second.

Max. Loop Flow Rate

Specify the Max. Loop Flow Rate is another numeric field indicating the maximum loop flow rate in cubic meters per second. This parameter is utilized when the user opts to autocalculate the loop volume.

Plant Loop Volume

Specify the Plant Loop Volume, a numeric field indicating the volume of the plant loop in cubic meters. This encompasses both the demand and supply sides of the loop. This volume is crucial for loop capacitance calculation.

The autocalculate option sets the loop volume to the product of the Maximum Loop Flow Rate and the user-input Loop Circulation Time, defaulting to 2 minutes. A zero volume indicates no fluid heat capacity, while an excessively large capacitance may lead to unrealistic time delays and poor response to temperature setpoint changes.

Setpoint Manager

Setpoint Manager Type

Specify the Setpoint Manager Type, determining the control strategy for the supply side components on the loop. Choose between Constant or Follow Outdoor Air Temperature. Constant implies a steady hot water supply temperature, while Follow Outdoor Air Temperature means the condenser water supply temperature from Cooling Towers will vary based on outdoor wet bulb temperature, with user input for offset, minimum, and maximum temperatures.

Offset Temperature Difference

This setting defines how much higher the setpoint temperature should be compared to the outdoor air temperature. For example, an offset of 3°C will maintain the loop temperature at 3 degrees above the current outdoor level.

Minimum Setpoint Temperature

This value sets a lower limit to ensure the condenser water temperature doesn’t fall below a safe or efficient operating point. A minimum of 20°C helps prevent excessive cooling and potential equipment issues.

Maximum Setpoint Temperature

This sets the upper boundary for the loop temperature, ensuring it doesn’t exceed safe operating limits. A maximum of 28°C helps maintain reliable performance under warm outdoor conditions.

Setpoint Manager Schedule Value

Specify the Setpoint Manager Schedule Value when the Setpoint Manager Type is Constant. This field sets the constant supply temperature for the output of the cooling towers on the condenser water loop.

Sizing

Sizing Option

Specifies how the system calculates loads during sizing. The Non-Coincident option sizes the loop based on the highest individual loads rather than assuming all components operate at peak simultaneously. This can lead to more conservative flow and capacity values.

Sizing Method

Determines how the condenser loop is sized. Selecting Manual allows users to enter fixed values for flow rates and volume. This option gives full control but requires detailed knowledge of system behaviour and performance requirements.

Min. Loop Flow Rate

Defines the minimum allowable water flow rate in the loop. This ensures the system maintains adequate circulation, even under low-load or part-load conditions.

Max. Loop Flow Rate

Sets the upper limit for water flow through the condenser loop. This value should reflect the maximum expected demand based on connected equipment and system capacity.

Plant Loop Volume

Specifies the total water volume within the loop. This impacts how quickly the system responds to changes in temperature and load, and helps determine control strategies for pumps and temperature regulation.