WO2011049905A1

WO2011049905A1 - Methods and system for reduction of utility usage and measurement thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2011049905A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/053125
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kenneth J. Southwick; Renato Valdes
Original assignee: Transkinetic Energy Corporation
Priority date: 2009-10-20
Filing date: 2010-10-19
Publication date: 2011-04-28

Abstract

A method and system for reducing energy usage and measurement thereof is disclosed. A method of operating a process includes monitoring a first amount of the utility consumed during operation of the process. The method also includes operating a conservation measure for reducing the amount of the utility consumed by the process and monitoring a second amount of the utility consumed by the process during operation of the utility conservation measure. The method further includes determining a first utility consumption reduction value based on the first and second amounts of utility consumed, periodically discontinuing the operation of the conservation measure, and monitoring at least a third amount of utility consumed by the process after the operation of the conservation measure has been discontinued. The method also includes determining a second utility consumption reduction value based on the second amount of utility consumed and the third amount of utility consumed.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REDUCTION OF UTILITY USAGE AND

MEASUREMENT THEREOF

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S. C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent

Application No. 61/253,247, filed October 20, 2009, entitled Methods And Systems For Reduction

Of Utility Usage And Measurement Thereof, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

61/360,661, filed July 1, 2010, entitled System and Method for Improving Hydrocarbon Fuel

Combustion Characteristics, the contents of both of which are incorporated by reference herein.

[0002] This application is related to the following U.S. Patent Applications:

U.S. Patent Application No. 12/900,849, filed October 8, 2010, entitled Methods of and System for Introducing Acoustic Energy into a Fluid in a Collider Chamber Apparatus,

U.S. Patent Application No. 12/900,813, filed October 8, 2010, entitled Methods of and System for Improving the Operation of Electric Motor Driven Equipment,

U.S. Patent Application No. 12/361,625, filed January 29, 2009, entitled Method and Systems for Recovering and Redistributing Heat,

U.S. Patent Application No. 12/134,535, filed June 6, 2008, entitled Collider Chamber Apparatus and Method of Use of Same,

U.S. Patent Application No. 12/061,872, filed April 3, 2008, entitled Collider Chamber Apparatus and Method of Use,

U.S. Patent Application No. 11/030,272, filed January 6, 2005, now U.S. Patent No.

7,393,695, entitled Collider Chamber Apparatus and Method of Use,

U.S. Patent Application No. 09/590,049, filed June 8, 2000, now U.S. Patent No. 6,855,299, entitled Collider Chamber Apparatus and Method of Use, and

U.S. Patent Application No. 09/354,413, filed July 15, 1999, now U.S. Patent No.

6,110,432, entitled Collider Chamber Apparatus and Method of Use,

all incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to quantifying the amount of utility consumption reduced by a conservation system. More specifically, the present invention relates to determining the actual savings of a conservation system in contrast to relying on a stipulated saving measure. Description of the related art

[0004] The International Performance Measurement & Verification Protocol (IPMVP) developed by the Efficiency Valuation Organization discloses techniques for quantifying the energy savings of an energy savings program over time. In general, the IPMVP describes establishing a baseline year energy usage amount for a facility, or portion thereof, and comparing the post-retrofit energy usage to determine an energy savings amount. The IPMVP also describes applying adjustments to restate baseyear energy use under post-retrofit conditions.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 5,737,215 issued to Schricker et al. discloses an apparatus for comparing one machine in a fleet of machines. The apparatus senses a plurality of characteristics of each machine in the fleet and responsively determines a set of fleet data. The apparatus further determines a set of reference machine data as a function of the fleet data, compares the data for the machine with the reference machine data, and responsively produces a deviation signal.

[0006] U.S. Patent No. 7,155,367 issued to Shapiro et al. discloses a computer implemented method of evaluating relative efficiency of equipment by constructing a mathematical model of the operation of the equipment, calculating a distance between an actual operating point and the mathematically obtained optimal operating point of the equipment, and processing the distances to identify efficiency changes of the equipment. Once the calculated difference between the actual and optimal operating points of equipment is completed, a calculated difference is stored. Data corresponding to periods of time during which only one system is on line, and before and after which the other system is on line, is removed from the stored data.

[0007] U.S. Patent No. 6,110,432 issued to Southwick discloses an apparatus including a stator and a rotor disposed for rotation within the stator. An inner wall of the stator defines one or more collider chambers. Rotation of the rotor causes movement of fluid disposed between the rotor and stator, thereby establishing a rotational flow pattern within the collider chambers. The fluid movement induced by the rotor increases the temperature, density, and pressure of the fluid in the collider chamber.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Under one aspect of the invention, a method and system for reducing energy usage and measurement thereof is provided.

[0009] Under another aspect of the invention, a method of operating a process includes operating a process and monitoring a first amount of the utility consumed during the operation of the process. The method also includes operating a conservation measure for reducing the amount of the utility consumed by the process and monitoring a second amount of the utility consumed by the process during the operation of the utility conservation measure. The method further includes determining a first utility consumption reduction value based on the first amount of utility consumed and the second amount of utility consumed, periodically discontinuing the operation of the conservation measure, and monitoring at least a third amount of utility consumed by the process after the operation of the conservation measure has been discontinued. The method also includes determining a second utility consumption reduction value based on the second amount of utility consumed and the third amount of utility consumed.

[0010] Under a further aspect of the invention, the method also includes monitoring operating conditions of the process at least during the time the second amount of utility consumption is monitored and detecting a change of the operating conditions of the process. In response to detecting the change, discontinuing the operation of the conservation measure. Optionally, the operating conditions include a rate of consumption of the utility by the process during the operation of the utility conservation measure and detecting the change of the operating conditions includes detecting a change in the rate of consumption of the utility exceeding a predetermined threshold.

[0011] Under yet another aspect of the invention, the consumption of the utility by the process produces an amount of at least one pollutant. The method also includes determining a first amount of the at least one pollutant produced by operating the process without operating the conservation measure, determining a second amount of the at least one pollutant produced by operating the process and operating the utility conservation measure, and determining a reduction in the amount of the at least one pollutant produced based on the first amount of the at least one pollutant and second amount of the at least one pollutant.

[0012] Under still another aspect of the invention, a system includes a process, a conservation measure, and a measurement and control system. The process consumes a utility during operation of the process. The conservation measure reduces the consumption of the utility by the process during operation of the conservation measure. The measurement and control system monitors operating conditions of the process and utility consumption information. The system also includes computer logic comprising instructions for causing the measurement and control system to monitor a first amount of the utility consumed during the operation of the process, operate a conservation measure for reducing the amount of the utility consumed by the process, and monitor a second amount of the utility consumed by the process during the operation of the utility conservation measure. The computer logic also causes the measurement and control system to determine a first utility consumption reduction value based on the first amount of utility consumed and the second amount of utility consumed, periodically discontinue the operation of the conservation measure, monitor at least a third amount of utility consumed by the process after the operation of the conservation measure has been discontinued, and determine a second utility consumption reduction value based on the second amount of utility consumed and the third amount of utility consumed.

[0013] Under a further aspect of the invention, the computer logic also includes instructions for causing the measurement and control system to monitor operating conditions of the process at least during the time the second amount of utility consumption is monitored, detect a change of the operating conditions of the process, and, in response to detecting the change, discontinue the operation of the conservation measure.

[0014] Under still another aspect of the invention, the operating conditions that are monitored include a rate of consumption of the utility by the process during the operation of the utility conservation measure and detecting the change of the operating conditions includes detecting a change in the rate of consumption of the utility exceeding a predetermined threshold.

[0015] Under an aspect of the invention, the consumption of the utility by the process produces at least one pollutant, and the computer logic also includes instructions for causing the

measurement and control system to determine a first amount of the at least one pollutant produced by operating the process without operating the conservation measure, determine a second amount of the at least one pollutant produced by operating the process and operating the utility conservation measure, and determine a reduction in the amount of the at least one pollutant produced based on the first amount of the at least one pollutant and second amount of the at least one pollutant.

[0016] Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description wherein several embodiments are shown and described. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not in a restrictive or limiting sense, with the scope of the application being indicated by the claims appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 shows an overview of a process for measuring an amount of utilities saved by a conservation measure.

[0018] Figure 2 shows an overview of a process for measuring an amount of utilities saved by a conservation measure during changing operating conditions.

[0019] Figure 3 shows an overview of a system for reducing energy usage and measuring the same.

[0020] Figure 4 shows an illustrative example of a system for reducing utility usage through the redistribution of heat and measuring the same. [0021] Figure 5 shows an illustrative example of a system for reducing fossil fuel consumption and measuring the same.

[0022] Figure 6 shows an illustrative example of a system for reducing electrical power

consumption and measuring the same.

[0023] Figure 7 shows an illustrative example of a system for reducing fossil fuel consumption and measuring the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] Figure 1 is an overview of a process 100 for measuring an amount of a utility saved by a conservation measure according to an embodiment of the invention. The process 100 includes operating a baseline process (step 1 10) and measuring the utilities consumed by the baseline process (step 120). As used herein, utilities refers to energy or materials consumed by any type of process. For example, utilities include, but are not limited to natural gas, electricity, steam, water, an/or sewer usage. A baseline process is one that exists prior to being modified with any conservation measures. Any utility consuming process is a baseline process within the scope of the invention. Thus, processes that consume, for example, water, electrical energy and/or fossil fuels can benefit from embodiments of the invention.

[0025] The utility consumed by the process can be measured using process instrumentation appropriate to the particular baseline process. For example, when the baseline process involves the consumption of fossil fuels, flow meters, pressure transducers, and temperature indicators are used to determine the amount of the particular fossil fuel consumed during the operation of the process (e.g., in either mass or volumetric units.) If the energy content of the fossil fuel is known within the desired precision, the energy content is combined with the volumetric or mass flow rate to determine the energy consumed. In addition, real time, or near-real time, analysis can be performed on the fossil fuel stream to provide the energy content of the stream. Further still revenue and/or utility grade meters can be used, were appropriate, to obtain data of the level of accuracy required by governing bodies. All information gathered during operation of the baseline process can be gathered in a process data historian.

[0026] After the baseline process has operated for an amount of time sufficient to provide a reliable measure of the utility consumption of the baseline process, and the same has been measured, a conservation measure is operated (step 130.) During operation of the conservation measure, the amount of the utility consumed by the process that has been modified with the conservation measure is monitored (step 140). In some implementations, the same instrumentation used to measure the baseline utility consumption is used to measure the utility consumption of the process with the conservation measure in effect. For example, if the conservation measure increases the efficiency of a particular piece of process equipment, the same flow meters, pressure transducers, temperature indicators, and/or composition analyzers may be used to determine the utility consumption of the modified process. In some implementations, additional and/or different instrumentation is used to measure the utility consumption of the modified process. For example, if a new piece of equipment is placed in parallel with the equipment of the baseline process, then additional flow meters, pressure transducers, etc. may be needed to capture the utility consumption of the modified process. Further still, as embodiments of the present invention adopt a system-level approach to utility consumption reduction, the system of which the conversation measure is a part can be monitored as a whole with regard to the consumption and conservation of multiple utilities.

[0027] The utility consumption information from the baseline process and modified process are compared to determine the utility consumption reduction attributable to the conservation measure (step 150). After a period of time of operating the conservation measure, its operation is discontinued (step 160), and a new baseline utility consumption measurement is taken (step 120). The steps 130-160 are then repeated periodically to continually establish a baseline utility consumption and a utility consumption measure of the modified process. In this way, process 100 provides a continually renewed measure of the actual utility savings brought about by operation of the conservation measure rather than a stipulated amount based on process models or a single baseline measurement. Moreover, by periodically revalidating the baseline consumption and modified process consumption, the utility consumption reduction attributable to the conservation measure can be determined under various operating conditions. This aspect is described in greater detail below. As set forth above, the step of determining the utility consumption reduction (step 150) precedes the step of discontinuing the operation of the conservation measure (step 160).

However, it is also within the scope of the invention to determine the utility consumption reduction at any time after the utility consumption for the baseline process and modified process has been gathered. Furthermore, while implementations of the invention are described as "periodically" discontinuing the operation of the conservation measure to revalidate the baseline and modified consumption values, it is understood that these steps need not be performed at regular intervals. Thus, as used herein, "periodically" can refer to one or more steps and/or actions that are performed from time-to-time, and these steps and/or actions need not be performed on a regular frequency.

[0028] Figure 2 is an overview of a process 200 for measuring an amount of utilities saved by a conservation measure during changing operating conditions according to another embodiment of the invention. The process 200 includes operating a baseline process (step 210) and measuring the utility consumed by the baseline process (step 220). The utilities consumed by the process can be measured using process instrumentation appropriate to the particular baseline process, as set forth above. During the period of time in which the amount of utilities consumed by the baseline process is measured, the process also monitors the process operating conditions (step 230). The process operating conditions that are monitored include those that affect the amount of the utility consumed by the process. For example, in a building heating system, which includes a boiler for the generation of heat, the total steam production, total condensate return temperature and amount, make-up water temperature and amount, and ambient temperature are included in the process operating conditions that are monitored. In another example, in a building HVAC system, which includes a fan, the shaft speed of the fan and/or the static pressure output by the fan are included in the process operating conditions that are monitored.

[0029] After the baseline process has operated for an amount of time sufficient to provide a reliable measure of the utility consumption of the baseline process, and the same has been measured (step 220), a conservation measure is operated (step 240). During operation of the conservation measure, the amount of utilities consumed by the process that has been modified with the conservation measure is monitored (step 250). As set forth above, in some implementations, the same instrumentation used to measure the baseline utility consumption is used to measure the utility consumption of the process with the conservation measure in effect. In other implementations, different and/or additional instrumentation is used. For example, when measuring the rotational speed of the fan in an HVAC system, a tachometer and static pressure meter/transducer are included in the process instrumentation.

[0030] The utility consumption information from the baseline process and modified process are compared to determine the utility consumption reduction attributable to the conservation measure (step 260). As explained above, this step need not be performed immediately after the collection of the utility consumption information, but the determination can be made at any time after the information has been gathered. The process operating conditions are monitored on an ongoing basis until a determination is made that the operating conditions have changed to a sufficient degree to merit establishing a new baseline utility consumption value that corresponds to the changed operating conditions (step 270). At this point, the operation of the conservation measure is discontinued (step 280), thereby establishing a new baseline utility consumption that corresponds to the changed operating conditions.

[0031] After the new baseline process, at the changed operating conditions, has operated for an amount of time sufficient to provide a reliable measure of the utility consumption of the new baseline process, and the same has been measured (step 220), the conservation measure is again operated (step 240). At this point, steps 250-280 are repeated on an ongoing basis. Thus, as the operating conditions of the process change, baseline utility consumption values and modified process utility consumption values are measured and correlated with the operating conditions prevailing at the time the utility consumption measurements were taken. In this way, process 200 enables the actual utility savings attributable to a conservation measure to be determined across a wide range of operating conditions. Moreover, the process can be controlled to maintain stable operating conditions during measurement periods to ensure proper baseline and modified utility consumption values are established. This avoids the need to make problematic, and potentially incorrect, adjustments to utility savings calculations that are required when a single baseline utility consumption value is used in future operating periods.

[0032] In some implementations, the determination of whether the operating conditions of the process have changed in an amount sufficient to merit discontinuing the conservation measure is based on the present consumption of the amount of the utility. For example, in a building heating system, which includes a boiler for the generation of heat, the heating oil and/or natural gas consumed by the boiler is monitored as the conservation measure is in operation. Upon the detection of an increase or decrease in the consumption of natural gas and/or heating oil beyond a predetermined threshold and, optionally, for a predetermined amount of time, it is concluded that the operating conditions have changed to a sufficient degree so as to merit establishing a new baseline utility consumption value. Thus, the operation of the conservation measure is discontinued in order to determine the amount of utilities consumed at the new operating conditions. The threshold values for the amount of change of the utility consumption and/or the amount of time during which the increase or decrease in the consumption of the utility must exceed the threshold value to conclude the operating conditions have changed depends on the process being monitored. In some embodiments, the threshold values are a percentage of the current utility consumption value, for example, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%>, or other amounts are within the scope of the invention.

[0033] In other implementations, one or more key operating variables are monitored to determine if the operating conditions have changed to a sufficient degree to merit re-establishing a baseline utility consumption value. For example, in a building heating and cooling system, a utility conservation measure can include a system for reducing the consumption of electrical energy by rotating equipment, such as an air-conditioning compressors and/or fan motors. When

incorporating embodiments of the invention in such a system, one key process variable that can be monitored to determine the degree to which operating conditions have changed includes the total air flow being produced by the system. Further additional examples include the duty-cycle of the compressor, the external environmental temperature, and/or the system temperature set point.

[0034] Figure 3 is an overview of a system 300 for reducing utility usage and measuring the same. System 300 includes a process 310 that further includes a baseline process utility consumer 320. System 300 also includes a conservation measure 330, which operates in conjunction with baseline process utility consumer 320, to form a modified process utility consumer 340. Modified process utility consumer 340 receives a utility supply from a utility source 350. Note that process 310 includes portions upstream and downstream of modified utility consumer 340. Process operating condition data and utility consumption data are collected by a measurement and control system 360 via process instrumentation and process instrumentation feeds 370. Measurement and control system 360 also controls the operation of conservation measure 330. Thus, control system 360 modulates conservation measure 330 thought process control output 380 as needed to gather baseline utility consumption and modified utility consumption values as the process operating conditions vary.

[0035] The following description sets forth illustrative examples of implementations of the invention. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the following examples.

Heat Recovery and Redistribution System

[0036] One illustrative implementation of the invention includes a heat recovery and redistribution system 400. In this example, heat from one portion of a building's heating system is removed and redistributed in another portion of the system. The utility consumption sought to be reduced include natural gas, electricity, and water. Heat recovery and redistribution system 400 includes a boiler 402, which produces high-pressure steam that is fed into a steam distribution system 404. Boiler 402 is fed water from a deaerator 406 for the production of the high-pressure steam. Steam condensate from a condensate return system 408 is collected in a surge tank 410. The collected condensate, along with a fresh water make-up stream 412 supply water to deaerator 406. Although not shown, one or more pumps are included in system 400 to move condensate between the various vessels, boilers, and heat exchangers.

[0037] As mentioned above, liquid water from deaerator 406 is sent to boiler 402. Boiler 402 heats the liquid water to its boiling point and supplies the heat necessary for the liquid water to become steam (i.e., the heat of vaporization). In one implementation, the steam is about 9.6 Bar and 176.7 °C (140 PSIA and 350 °F), although steam of higher or lower pressure and higher or lower temperature is within the scope of the invention. The steam flows through high-pressure steam distribution system 404 to various steam loads, e.g., heaters, and pipe steam tracing. The steam loads consume the heat of vaporization stored within a portion of the steam when using the heat from the steam. In doing so, the steam loads create steam condensate. As set forth above, the condensate returns to surge tank 410. In some implementations, a portion of the condensate can be returned directly to deaerator 406 (not shown). [0038] Deaerator 406 removes dissolved gases from the liquid water before it is sent to boiler 402. Doing so reduces the negative impact of corrosive gases, e.g., carbon dioxide and oxygen, on the boiler and other components of the steam system. Heating and stripping steam 414 is fed to deaerator 406. Steam 414 heats the liquid water in deaerator 406 and bubbles through the water, which helps to scrub-out gases dissolved in the liquid water in deaerator 406. A portion of heating and stripping steam 414 condenses in deaerator 406, while another portion of steam 414 is vented as flash steam 416 to strip the dissolved gases out of the liquid water.

[0039] A relatively small proportion of heating and stripping steam 414 is vented as flash steam 416 at all times to ensure adequate stripping of the dissolved gases. However, high condensate return rate and/or relatively high condensate return pressure can result in venting excess steam 416 due to the condensate flashing into steam upon entering deaerator 406. Venting excess steam results in the loss of both the heat energy stored in the steam as well as the loss of the water itself. This requires that additional make-up water 412 be added to deaerator 406 to account for the loss of the water mass. Also, additional energy must be added to the system in order to heat and vaporize the new water into high-pressure steam.

[0040] As part of an energy conservation measure, heat recovery and redistribution system 400 also includes a condensate heat exchanger 418 and a heater 420. Condensate heat exchanger 418, as well as any of the heat exchangers described herein, can be one or a combination of any type of heat exchanger known in the art in which fluid passing through a first "side" of the heat exchanger transfers heat to fluid passing through a second "side" of the heat exchanger. For example, condensate heat exchanger 418 can be a shell and tube heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger, and/or a plate-fin heat exchanger. Furthermore, the fluids between which the heat is transferred may be in a co-current, counter-current, or cross-current configuration. Further still, although only one heat exchanger may be shown in the Figures, each heat exchanger represented and/or described can be one or more heat exchangers in parallel or in series in order to provide redundancy, increase the surface area available for heat exchange, and/or provide other benefits. In some

implementations, the inlet of one side of condensate heat exchanger 418 receives condensate from surge tank 410, while the outlet of the same side is connected to deaerator 406. Meanwhile, the other side of condensate heat exchanger 418 is connected to heater 420. The fluid passing between heat exchanger 418 and heater 420 can be any heat exchanger fluid known in the art for use with temperatures ranging from about -40 °C to about 180 °C, e.g., a water and glycol mixture. In addition, one or more pumps (not shown) are used to circulate the heat exchanger fluid in closed loop as well as the other closed loops described herein. [0041] Heater 420 is located on a fresh air intake 422 of a building's heating and ventilation system 424. Heating and ventilation system 424 includes a baseline heater 426. In this example, baseline heater 426 is an electric heater, which heats air being brought into heating and ventilation system 424. Heater 420 can be any one or a combination of any type of heat exchangers for heating air. For example, heater 420 can be a radiator or any of the types of heat exchangers set forth as examples above. When relatively cooler air is taken into the building, it passes through heater 420 and cools the fluid passing between heat exchanger 418 and heater 420 as the fresh air is heated. The fluid, through condensate heat exchanger 418, absorbs heat from the condensate passing from surge tank 410 to deaerator 406, thereby cooling the condensate returned to deaerator 406.

[0042] By reducing the temperature of the returning condensate, embodiments of the invention reduce the amount of condensate that flashes to steam upon return to deaerator 406. In addition, by cooling the condensate in deaerator 406, the amount of stripping steam 414 that is condensed is increased. Thus, the amount of excess stripping steam 414 lost as flash steam 416 is reduced and the heat of vaporization stored in the steam is recaptured by the condensate in deaerator 406. In this way, the heat that would otherwise be lost by excess stripping steam 414 exiting deaerator 406 as flash steam 416 is recovered and redistributed into the fresh air being drawn into the building's heating and ventilation system. This also results in a reduction of the amount of make-up water needed to replace water lost as steam. Moreover, by preheating the fresh air, heater 420 reduces the amount of electrical energy consumed by baseline heater 426.

[0043] Heat recovery and redistribution system 400 also includes a measurement and control system 430. Measurement and control system 430 gathers process operating condition data and energy consumption data from process information feeds. The process information feeds obtain operating information from various types of process instrumentation that is appropriate to the particular unit operation being monitored, as described in more detail above. For example, the process operating condition data can include the following: total high-pressure steam flow, pressure, and temperature 434; make-up water flow and temperature 436; condensate return flow, pressure, and temperature 438; deaerator temperature and pressure 440; ambient air temperature 442; pre-heated air flow and temperature 444; and heating and ventilation air flow and temperature 446. Energy and utility consumption information can include, for example, natural gas

consumption by the boiler 448; electrical energy consumption by the baseline heater 450; and make-up water flow 436.

[0044] Through valves 452 and 454, the measurement and control system 430 also modulates the operation of the conservation measures in system 400. When valves 452 and 454 are opened, heat is recovered and redistributed within system 400, thereby reducing natural gas consumption, electrical energy consumption, and water consumption. When valves 452 and 454 are closed, the baseline energy and utility consumption occurs. Thus, measurement and control system 430 modulates the conservation measures (heat exchanger 418 and heater 420) in accordance with the techniques described in connection with Figure 2 in order to gather baseline utility consumption and modified utility consumption values as the process operating conditions vary.

Boiler Pre-Heat By Collider Chamber Apparatus

[0045] Another illustrative implementation of the invention includes a boiler system 500. In this example, condensate and make-up water from a deaerator are pre-heated with a collider chamber apparatus, such as any of those described in the above-incorporated patents and applications. The utility consumption sought to be reduced includes natural gas. The boiler system 500 includes a boiler 502, a steam distribution system 504, and a deaerator 506. These components function as the same components described above in connection with the system shown in Figure 4. In boiler system 500, steam condensate from a condensate return system 508 is sent to deaerator 506. The collected condensate, along with a fresh water make-up stream 512 supply water to deaerator 506. Stripping steam 514 is supplied to deaerator 506, and flash steam 516 is vented from deaerator 506, as described above.

[0046] Boiler system 500 also includes a heat exchanger 518 and a collider chamber apparatus 520. Collider chamber apparatus 520 supplies heat to heat exchanger 518. Heat exchanger 518 is included in the condensate feed from deaerator 506 to boiler 502 through the operation of valves 522, 524, and 526. When valves 522 and 524 are open and valve 526 is closed, condensate from deaerator 506 is routed through heat exchanger 518, where it is pre-heated before being fed to boiler 502. By pre-heating the boiler feed water, less natural gas is required by boiler 502 to generate steam.

[0047] Boiler system 500 further includes a measurement and control system 530 that gathers process operating condition data and energy consumption data from process information feeds. The process information feeds obtain operating information from various types of process instrumentation that is appropriate to the particular unit operation being monitored, as described in more detail above. For example, the process operating condition data can include the following: total high-pressure steam flow, pressure, and temperature 532; make-up water flow and temperature 534; condensate return flow, pressure, and temperature 536; deaerator temperature and pressure 538; and pre-heated condensate feed to the boiler 540. Energy and utility consumption information can include, for example, natural gas consumption by the boiler 542 and electrical energy consumption by the collider chamber apparatus 544. [0048] Through valves 522, 524, and 526, measurement and control system 530 modulates the operation of the conservation measures in system 500. As described above, when valves 522 and 524 are opened and valve 526 is closed, heat is supplied to the condensate feed to boiler 502, thereby reducing natural gas consumption. When valves 522 and 524 are closed and valve 526 is open, the baseline energy and utility consumption occurs. Thus, measurement and control system 530 modulates the conservation measures (heat exchanger 518 and collider chamber apparatus 520) in accordance with the techniques described in connection with Figure 2 in order to gather baseline utility consumption and modified utility consumption values as the process operating conditions vary.

[0049] The collider chamber apparatus 520 can be modified in accordance with any of the techniques set forth in U.S. Patent Application Nos. 12/900,849 and/or 12/900,813, incorporated above. Thus, the methods and systems disclosed in those applications can be used to further reduce the amount of utilities consumed by boiler system 500.

Variable Frequency Drive

[0050] Another illustrative implementation of the invention includes a heating and ventilation (HVAC) system 600. In this example, a variable frequency drive is added to an air handler of the HVAC system 600. The utility consumption sought to be reduced includes electricity. The HVAC system 600 includes a heating and/or cooling apparatus 610 and an air handler 620. Air handler 620 supplies heated or cooled air from apparatus 610 to a ventilation header 630. In some implementations, air handler 620 is an alternating current electric motor coupled to a fan or blower unit and is powered by electrical energy supplied from an electricity supply 640 via a variable frequency drive (VFD) 650.

[0051] VFD 650 controls the rotational speed of the electric motor of air handler 620 by controlling the frequency and voltage of the electrical power supplied to the motor. By controlling these aspects of the electrical supply to the motor, the volume of air supplied by the air handler can be matched to the system demand. In addition, the VFD allows the amount of current (i.e., the amount of energy) consumed by the air handler motor to be reduced.

[0052] HVAC system 600 also includes a measurement and control system 660 that gathers process operating condition data and energy consumption data from process information feeds. The process information feeds obtain operating information from various types of process

instrumentation that is appropriate to the particular unit operation being monitored, as described in more detail above. For example, the process operating condition data can include the following: cooling and/or heating apparatus load 662; ventilation header demand 664; building temperature 666; and outside ambient temperature 668. Energy and utility consumption information can include, for example, electrical energy consumption by the air handler 670.

[0053] Measurement and control system 660 modulates the operation of the VFD 650 (i.e., the conservation measure) to match the current demand of the HVAC system 600. In addition, measurement and control system 660 can cause the VFD 650 to drive the motor of the air handler 620 at the rated frequency and voltage, thereby removing the conservation benefits of the VFD 650. Thus, in this way, measurement and control system 660 modulates the conservation measure (VFD 650) in accordance with the techniques described in connection with Figure 2 in order to gather baseline utility consumption and modified utility consumption values as the process operating conditions vary.

[0054] It is also noted that a power factor correction device can be installed in place of VFD 650. In such an implementation, the power factor correction device reduces the power losses, and hence, energy consumption, of a load having a bad power factor. The power factor correction device can be passive, e.g., a bank of capacitors or inductors, or can be an active power factor corrector.

Measurement and control system 660 modulates the operation of the power factor corrector as described in accordance with the techniques described in connection with Figure 2 in order to gather baseline utility consumption and modified utility consumption values as the process operating conditions vary.

[0055] Moreover, the VFD 650 or the power factor corrector can be used on an electric motor in other service. Also, the VFD 650 can be used to drive an electric motor at torque and speed values beyond the motor's normal operating range, as set forth in U.S. Patent Application No.

12/900,813, incorporated above. Further still, the other techniques for reducing the consumption of electrical energy by rotating equipment can be used with embodiments of the invention described herein.

[0056] In one illustrative implementation, a VFD was installed on a 100 HP electric motor, which was driving a fan of a building HVAC system. Without operation of the VFD (i.e., baseline operation), the motor consumed about 67 kW of apparent power while rotating the fan shaft at about 1098 RPMs. The power factor without operation of the VFD was about 62%. Upon engaging the VFD and operating the motor at about 1098.1 RPMs, the power factor remained in the range of about 92% to 98 %. The apparent power dropped to about 43 kW at the same operating conditions, as measured by the fan shaft speed. Thus, the significant savings of electrical power enabled by the VFD are captured relative to the baseline operation. As described herein, upon a change in the operating conditions, i.e., a lower fan speed is called- for by the HVAC system, the operation of the VFD can be discontinued to establish a new baseline power consumption value. The operation of the VFD can then be resumed to establish a new amount of utility savings relative to the new baseline. As set forth above, the rotational speed of the fan can be held at a relatively stable value during the measurement of the new baseline and modified utility consumption values.

[0057] As described in detail elsewhere herein, other savings attributable to operating the VFD, in addition to the electrical power, can be measured using the techniques disclosed. For example, the reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, achievement of renewable / alternative energy credits, and/or any amounts eligible for Forward Capacity Markets can be measured relative to the system's baseline operation. Likewise, the saving and measurement techniques described herein can measure the difference in other aspects of the operation of the utility conservation measure, i.e., the VFD, beyond merely the continuous operation aspect. For example, the VFD enables a "soft-start" operation of the fan - that is - the voltage and/or frequency is ramped-up over time. Such operation reduces spikes in electrical load, which enables the system to achieve a reduced Demand Charge relative to baseline operation.

Combustion Fuel Pretreatment System

[0058] Another illustrative implementation of the invention includes a combustion fuel

pretreatment system 700. In this example, a combustion fuel pretreatment system 710 is added between a combustion fuel supply 720 and a combustion fuel consumer 730. The utility

consumption sought to be reduced includes the combustion fuel. In some implementations, the combustion fuel supply 720 is natural gas and the combustion fuel consumer 730 is a boiler system. The combustion fuel pretreatment system can be, for example, a Rentar Fuel Catalyst system (commercially available from Rentar Environmental Solutions, Inc. of Palm Breach, Florida). In other implementations, the combustion fuel pretreatment system can be any one or more of the embodiments of the catalytic accelerator apparatus and/or the static fuel catalyst device described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/360,661, incorporated above.

[0059] The combustion fuel pretreatment system 710 treats the combustion fuel before entering the fuel consumer to increase the efficiency of the combustion fuel, e.g., by enabling the fuel to burn more completely. This, in turn, reduces the amount of combustion fuel consumed by the process. By burning less fuel, the combustion consumer also emits less greenhouse gases and particulate emissions.

[0060] The combustion fuel pretreatment system 700 also includes a measurement and control system 740 that gathers process operating condition data and energy consumption data from process information feeds. The process information feeds obtain operating information from various types of process instrumentation that is appropriate to the particular unit operation being monitored, as described in more detail above. For example, the process operating condition data can include the following: combustion fuel supply flow and fuel energy content 750; combustion fuel pretreatment system operating rate 760; and combustion fuel consumer fuel demand and operational rate 770. Energy and utility consumption information can include, for example, combustion fuel supply flow 750.

[0061] Through valves 782, 784, and 786, measurement and control system 740 modulates the operation of the combustion fuel pretreatment system 710 (i.e., the conservation measure). When valves 782 and 784 are closed and valve 786 is opened, combustion fuel passes through the combustion fuel pretreatment system. When valves 782 and 784 are closed and valve 786 is open, the baseline energy and utility consumption occurs. Thus, measurement and control system 740 modulates the conservation measure in accordance with the techniques described in connection with Figure 2 in order to gather baseline utility consumption and modified utility consumption values as the process operating conditions vary.

[0062] As described in detail above, embodiments described herein enable the determination and revalidation of actual utility consumption reduction attributable to a conservation measure, thereby avoiding the need to rely upon stipulated savings measures. By having the actual utility

consumption reduction and savings information, embodiments of the invention enable process operators to accurately measure the savings and process improvements of various energy conservation projects. Furthermore, process operators can use the actual measurement information to obtain local, state, and federal stimulus funds, tax credits, and other benefits that require measurement of actual utility savings.

[0063] In addition, by monitoring the process operating conditions and determining the utility consumption reductions in various operating regimes (i.e., at varying process operating conditions), the techniques set forth herein reduce or avoid the need for adjustments to baseline utility consumption measures. By avoiding the need for baseline adjustments, process operators can avoid conservation reduction factors that are often applied to utility savings calculations that require adjustments to be made.

[0064] Further still, by providing for the accurate measurement and revalidation of utility consumption reductions, embodiments of the invention enable the determination of reductions in the amounts of greenhouse gases, particulate emissions, and other pollutants associated with consumption of the utility. For example, by measuring the amount of the reduction of fossil fuel consumption attributable to a particular conservation measure, the corresponding amounts of greenhouse gases, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, particulates, volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals that would have otherwise been produced can be determined. Therefore, embodiments of the invention enable the determination of emissions reductions credits gained by operation of utility conservation measures.

[0065] The techniques for accurately measuring and revalidating utility consumption reductions and/or pollutant production reductions can be used in conjunction with techniques for a "shared energy/savings" system in which a first party engineers, installs, and operates an energy

conservation measure (e.g., a Molecular Accelerator™ MX- 100 product) in a facility of a second party with no capital contribution from the said second party. Payments by the second party to the first party will be based upon a share of the net energy and operational savings and the related greenhouse gas emission (and/or other pollutant reductions) credits due to the energy conservation measure over an agreed to lease term. At least a portion of these payments then fund the installation of additional energy conservation measures. Any of the techniques and systems described herein can be employed as the method for measuring the actual savings realized.

[0066] Certain aspects of the techniques and systems disclosed herein may be implemented as a computer program product for use with a computer system. For example, a control and

measurement system for monitoring and/or controlling a process and any conservation measures added thereto can be implemented in program logic. Such implementations may include a series of computer instructions, or logic, fixed either on a tangible medium, such as a computer readable medium (e.g., a diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, flash memory or fixed disk) or transmittable to a computer system, via a modem or other interface device, such as a communications adapter connected to a network over a medium.

[0067] The medium may be either a tangible medium (e.g., optical or analog communications lines) or a medium implemented with wireless techniques (e.g., microwave, infrared or other transmission techniques). The series of computer instructions embodies all or part of the functionality described herein with respect to the system. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that such computer instructions can be written in a number of programming languages for use with many computer architectures or operating systems.

[0068] Furthermore, such instructions may be stored in any memory device, such as semiconductor, magnetic, optical or other memory devices, and may be transmitted using any communications technology, such as optical, infrared, microwave, or other transmission

technologies.

[0069] It is expected that such a computer program product may be distributed as a removable medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation (e.g., shrink wrapped software), preloaded with a computer system (e.g., on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over the network (e.g., the Internet or World Wide Web). Of course, some embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a combination of both software (e.g., a computer program product) and hardware. Still other embodiments of the invention are implemented as entirely hardware, or entirely software (e.g., a computer program product).

[0070] Since certain changes may be made in the above techniques and systems without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted in an illustrative and not a limiting sense. Although various types of conversation measures are described above, the scope of the invention is not limited to these conservation measures. For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 12/900,849, incorporated above, describes applying acoustic energy to fluid passing through a collider chamber apparatus in order to increase the heat output or efficiency of the collider apparatus. The methods and measurement and control systems described herein can be used to modulate the operation of the acoustic energy systems described in the incorporated application as set forth above for other conservation measures in order to reduce the energy consumption of the collider apparatus while producing the same amount of thermal or other energy. As still a further example, U.S. Patent Application No. 12/361,625, incorporated above, describes methods and systems for recovering and redistributing heat in order to reduce energy and/or fuel consumption by a variety of processes. The methods and measurement and control systems described herein can be used to modulate the operation of any of the energy conservation and/or heat transfer systems described in the incorporated application as set forth above for other conservation measures in order to reduce the energy and/or fuel consumption of the systems described therein.

What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A method of operating a process, the method comprising:

operating a process, the process consuming a utility;

monitoring a first amount of the utility consumed during the operation of the process;

operating a conservation measure for reducing the amount of the utility consumed by the process;

monitoring a second amount of the utility consumed by the process during the operation of the utility conservation measure;

determining a first utility consumption reduction value based on the first amount of utility consumed and the second amount of utility consumed;

periodically discontinuing the operation of the conservation measure;

monitoring at least a third amount of utility consumed by the process after the operation of the conservation measure has been discontinued; and

determining a second utility consumption reduction value based on the second amount of utility consumed and the third amount of utility consumed.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: monitoring operating conditions of the process at least during the time the second amount of utility consumption is monitored; and detecting a change of the operating conditions of the process, and, in response to detecting the change, discontinuing the operation of the conservation measure.

3. The method of claim 2, the operating conditions including a rate of consumption of the utility by the process during the operation of the utility conservation measure and the detecting the change of the operating conditions including detecting a change in the rate of consumption of the utility exceeding a predetermined threshold.

4. The method of claim 3, the predetermined threshold being 5% of the rate of consumption of the utility for a designated period of time preceding the change.

5. The method of claim 4, the predetermined threshold being 10% of the rate of consumption of the utility for the designated period of time preceding the change. The method of claim 1 , the consumption of the utility by the process producing an amount of at least one pollutant, the method further comprising: determining a first amount of the at least one pollutant produced by operating the process without operating the conservation measure; determining a second amount of the at least one pollutant produced by operating the process and operating the utility conservation measure; and determining a reduction in the amount of the at least one pollutant produced based on the first amount of the at least one pollutant and second amount of the at least one pollutant.

The method of claim 6, the pollutant including at least one of a greenhouse gas, a nitrogen oxide, a sulfur dioxide, particulates, a volatile organic compound, and a heavy metal.

The method of claim 1 , the monitoring the first amount of the utility consumed during the operation of the process occurring for an amount of time exceeding a predetermined threshold.

The method of claim 1 , the operating the conservation measure and the monitoring the second amount of the utility consumed by the process during the operation of the utility conservation measure occurring for an amount of time exceeding a predetermined threshold.

The method of claim 1, the process including at least one of a boiler, a building

environmental control system, and a steam system.

The method of claim 1, the utility including at least one of a hydrocarbon fuel, electricity, water, and boiler system treatment chemicals.

The method of claim 1 , the conservation measure including at least one of a heat recovery system having at least one heat exchanger, a variable frequency drive, a power factor correction system, a hydrocarbon fuel pre-treatment system.

The method of claim 1, the conservation measure including a collider chamber apparatus, the collider chamber apparatus comprising: a stator including an inner wall, the inner wall defining a plurality of collider chambers for receiving at least a portion of the fluid; and a rotor disposed for rotation relative to the stator, about an axis, an outer wall of the rotor being proximal to the inner wall of the stator.

14. A system comprising: a process, the process consuming a utility during operation of the process; a conservation measure, the conservation measure reducing the consumption of the utility by the process during operation of the conservation measure; a measurement and control system, the measurement and control system monitoring

operating conditions of the process and utility consumption information; computer logic comprising instructions for causing the measurement and control system to: monitor a first amount of the utility consumed during the operation of the process; operate a conservation measure for reducing the amount of the utility consumed by the process; monitor a second amount of the utility consumed by the process during the operation of the utility conservation measure; determine a first utility consumption reduction value based on the first amount of utility consumed and the second amount of utility consumed; periodically discontinue the operation of the conservation measure; monitor at least a third amount of utility consumed by the process after the operation of the conservation measure has been discontinued; and determine a second utility consumption reduction value based on the second amount of utility consumed and the third amount of utility consumed.

The system of claim 14, the computer logic further comprising instructions for causing the measurement and control system to: monitor operating conditions of the process at least during the time the second amount of utility consumption is monitored; and detect a change of the operating conditions of the process, and, in response to detecting the change, discontinue the operation of the conservation measure.

16. The system of claim 15, the operating conditions including a rate of consumption of the utility by the process during the operation of the utility conservation measure and the detecting the change of the operating conditions including detecting a change in the rate of consumption of the utility exceeding a predetermined threshold.

17. The system of claim 16, the predetermined threshold being 5% of the rate of consumption of the utility for a designated period of time preceding the change.

18. The system of claim 17, the predetermined threshold being 10% of the rate of consumption of the utility for the designated period of time preceding the change.

19. The system of claim 14, the consumption of the utility by the process producing at least one pollutant, and the computer logic further comprising instructions for causing the

measurement and control system to: determine a first amount of the at least one pollutant produced by operating the process without operating the conservation measure; determine a second amount of the at least one pollutant produced by operating the process and operating the utility conservation measure; and determine a reduction in the amount of the at least one pollutant produced based on the first amount of the at least one pollutant and second amount of the at least one pollutant.

20. The system of claim 19, the pollutant including at least one of a greenhouse gas, a nitrogen oxide, a sulfur dioxide, particulates, a volatile organic compound, and a heavy metal.

21. The system of claim 14, the monitoring the first amount of the utility consumed during the operation of the process occurring for an amount of time exceeding a predetermined threshold.

22. The system of claim 14, the operating the conservation measure and the monitoring the second amount of the utility consumed by the process during the operation of the utility conservation measure occurring for an amount of time exceeding a predetermined threshold.

3. The system of claim 14, the process including at least one of a boiler, a building environmental control system, and a steam system.

The system of claim 14, the utility including at least one of a hydrocarbon fuel, electricity, water, and boiler system treatment chemicals.

The system of claim 14, the conservation measure including at least one of a heat recovery system having at least one heat exchanger, a variable frequency drive, a power factor correction system, a hydrocarbon fuel pre-treatment system.

The system of claim 14, the conservation measure including a collider chamber apparatus, the collider chamber apparatus comprising: a stator including an inner wall, the inner wall defining a plurality of collider chambers for receiving at least a portion of the fluid; and a rotor disposed for rotation relative to the stator, about an axis, an outer wall of the rotor being proximal to the inner wall of the stator.