Daikin has announced the launch of an Intelligent Management solution for chiller plant rooms. The new Intelligent Chiller Manager (iCM) offers maximum performance and reliability through a complete end to end control system that manages the startup, sequencing and staging of chillers to optimise energy usage by managing chiller capacity and load to operational demand with reduced maintenance requirements.
The new iCM is the latest in a series of Applied System Control innovations introduced by Daikin as specialists in the provision of chiller plant room solutions. Daikin’s combination of smart inverter controls and high efficiency compressors are aimed at providing the very highest levels of energy efficiency and reliability throughout a long service life. Available in cooling only, or heat pump versions, they offer a cost effective, versatile and efficient solution for comfort applications and environments where high performance and reliability is required.
Optimal results with reliable performance
Incorporating the latest technology, the new iCM offers new features designed to optimise performance and energy. A built-in Operating Chiller Setting ensures that the number of operating chillers always stays within a certain range, regardless of changes in demand throughout optimal start-up, sequencing & staging functions. Furthermore, matching chiller capacity to load demand allows the system to intuitively capture a rise in demand when the last chiller is staged down, by operating the pump dedicated to the Next ON chiller at a minimum VFD frequency, increasing performance.
Cost effective running costs have also been considered in the new design: The new system can determine whether chillers are available or not, by monitoring inputs directly from the chiller unit controllers, pumps and shut off valves. This minimises the risk of an unexpected breakdown by 24/7 alarm monitoring and emailing via Daikin’s remote monitoring and control system (www.daikinonsite.com). This, in combination with optimizing the order in which available chillers are turned On and Off depending on operating hours, further increases reliability and reduces maintenance costs.
Smart logic
The control strategy is responsible for the optimal start-up, sequencing & staging of chillers matching chiller capacity to load demand depending on individual requirements. The iCM is instrumental in achieving an energy efficient chiller plant solution, determining which chillers are available for operation and controlling the order and the partial load ratio in which they are turned On and Off or Stepped Up and Down, depending on a range of factors including operating hours and energy efficiency targets while compensating for temperature and rotation to provide the most energy efficient combination and capacity usage.
Flexible options to suit any requirement
Engineered to support air- and water-cooled chillers for a range of applications from small retail projects to large commercial and district cooling schemes the iCM can also efficiently support many kinds of energy intensive, data centres, specialist industrial operations dependant on air cooled chillers for precise control of process cooling and climate management.
The new controller is available in two versions and it can be ordered together with the chillers or as standalone to retrofit into an existing chiller plant. The Standard version comes supplied with a pre-set ready-made library of applications, offering a choice of three configuration options, depending on the number of chillers and peripherals to be managed and is suitable for up to a maximum of 8 chillers. A customised version is available which can be programmed for other applications and sizes of plant.
Demonstrate your success
Both versions provide the facility to measure and verify the energy efficiency of the plant. The new iCM also offers the possibility of remote monitoring and control. Operational data is collected and transferred via an internet connection to Daikin’s remote monitoring and control system (www.daikinonsite.com) which also allows remote control and configuration. The iCM also allows integration with building management systems for improved intelligence.
“The new intelligent Chiller Manager (iCM) includes many energy-efficient innovations, so users can depend on Daikin controls system for the very highest levels of energy efficiency and reliability throughout a long service life. “Because we are confident of these efficiencies we are offering - included in the standard version - a one-year connection to www.daikinonsite.com.” Says Daikin’s Senior business development officer, Rafael Pérez Cortines.
