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Design - the Fat Pipe Principle
John Herbert
Director
Call +852 2335 9830 today!
First lets look at the facts, 3/5th of the global power supply is consumed by
electrical motors every year. The operating cost of a typical electric motor
consumes enough electricity within its first year of operation to cover its
entire capital cost.
Of course, HVAC plant requires electrical motors to drive pumps,
fans, compressors and the like, yes they should be energy efficient,
but let's consider a different strategy, consider the lifetime OPEX.
Ask a designer what was the pipe sizing criteria they used in the 80's, then
ask what they use today, you might be surprised to discover the majority will say
their criteria has not changed!, although energy costs have risen substantially.
It doesn't make any sense to use the same standard today, but change is difficult.
Imagine an electric pump motor duty could be reduced, that would
reduce the lifetime energy consumption, and the lifetime cost, saving
money.
How to lower the lifetime motor load, and still satisfy the design
requirement?
The solution is simple, it requires thinking outside the box, remember
that many designers are still using 1900's criteria in the 21st century.
Principle
The designer's attention must be re-focused to think and consider
the lifetime cost of the installation. Consider:
- every pipe fitting once installed is a lifetime source of pressure
drop, replace 90 degree bends with 45 deg fittings, lowering the system
pressure drop and pump motor power for next 25 years!
- piping, once installed is a lifetime source of pressure
drop, lowering the piping pressure drop lowers the system pressure and
pump motor power for the next 25 years!
- changing the flow and return temperatures and delta T, where practical
could decrease the flow rate lower the pump motor power consumption for 25 years!
The goal is providing a design that provides lowers the liefetime
operating costs (opex) compared to conventional designs. Replacing 90 bends for
45 degree fittings will save energy everyday.
We add value using our expertise to lower your lifetime energy consumption.
What is next? Call +852 2335 9830 today!