Vytautas Virskus of Millenium Energy Company Awarded Patent for Intelligent, On-Demand Hydronic Pumping Control System
E~flow facilitates just-in-time energy, based on building energy demand
LANSING, Mich., February 6, 2018 (Newswire.com) - Vytau K. Virskus of Millenium Energy Company has been awarded U.S. patent no. 9,519,297 for Dynamic Differential Energy Control of Hydronic Heating or Cooling Systems.
The trade name of this next-generation intelligent, on-demand hydronic pumping control system is E~flow.
This unique, patented system combines basic engineering principles and standard mathematics with the physics of hydronic system thermal and flow relationships, resulting in considerable energy and cost savings.
Vytau K. Virskus, Principal
E~flow is a mathematical algorithm that uses building energy demand as the primary control variable to slow down or speed up a hydronic pump through a variable speed control thereby increasing or decreasing volume flow. The E~flow control process is compatible with any off-the-shelf variable speed drive and has been proven to reduce energy cost by eliminating over-pumping, optimize instantaneous energy delivery to a system or load and minimize incremental electric and/or thermal energy waste.
“This unique, patented system combines basic engineering principles and standard mathematics with the physics of hydronic system thermal and flow relationships, resulting in considerable energy and cost savings,” said Mr. Virskus.
The energy delivered in a hydronic system is based on the temperature of a hydronic fluid and the flow rate. It has been shown that managing the system flow rate can cut electric pumping costs by as much as 50 percent. The E~flow control process responds directly to the energy the building is using in real time. E~flow provides a mechanism that is far more universal, and scalable, with respect to controlling thermal distribution systems, and therefore is a major improvement on the old pressure-based control mechanism.
One of the most beneficial aspects to the patented E~flow control is that if the hydronic system has three-way valves, the valves do not have to be modified (one leg cut and capped) to operate like a two-way valve, nor do the valves have to be replaced with two-way valves. Both scenarios create a very significant expense that makes paybacks less attractive and may create liability for the contractor.
The mathematics of E~flow theory of control have been well-developed, and the concepts of controlling hydronic boilers, pumps and circulating loops have now been well established. With hydronic systems in millions of square feet of facilities of various types being controlled with E~flow, the efficacy of the system has been proven, both for variable volume pumping of heating and cooling water systems, as well as legacy boiler and chiller sequencing control.
About Vytau K. Virskus: Mr. Virskus is the principal founder of Millenium Energy Company and has over 40 years of experience in facility operations, computerized energy management systems and energy-efficiency projects. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University and his J.D. at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. He began his career in 1975 as the Environmental Systems Manager and Operations Engineer for Michigan State University, responsible for the installation and development of a campus-wide building automation and energy management system that ultimately serves more than 20 million square feet. His experience includes development and construction of numerous power generation and energy performance (ESPC) projects, and he has served as an energy management consultant for numerous industrial, institutional and commercial clients. Mr. Virskus has also been active in promoting sound energy and environmental policy for state and federal issues.
About Millenium Energy Company: Millenium Energy Company is a leader in energy efficiency and cost reduction, using advanced technology and regulatory advantages to maximize energy cost reduction while increasing energy efficiency for long-term sustainability. Millenium Energy has developed analytical tools that analyze each aspect of energy acquisition, conversion efficiency and distribution. Millenium Energy provides commissioning services in accordance with LEED requirements for HVAC systems, hydronic systems and controls, electric power, and lighting and dimming control systems, as well as, lecturing on building automation control theory and strategies.
Press image and logo available upon request.
Media contact:
Jennifer Virskus, Director of Marketing
Millenium Energy Company
Phone: (510) 422-5338
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: https://www.milleniumenergy.biz/
Source: Millenium Energy Company
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Tags: building automation systems, building energy supply, building sustainability solutions, energy efficiency, HVAC systems, hydronic pumping control, variable speed drive