Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
Partner: KCF Technologies
DOE Total Funding: $100,000
FY16 DOE Funding: $100,000
Cost Share: $25,000
Project Term: February 2016 – February 2017
Funding Type: Small Business Voucher (SBV) Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA)

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

The objective is to demonstrate a cost-effective wireless sensor for measuring pump efficiency. KCF Technologies has developed a prototype sensor approach and needs access to a test facility to validate the approach. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed wireless sensor to measure pump efficiency, KCF will deliver to ORNL a prototype measurement system, which will be installed on a pump associated with one of the HVAC systems in ORNL’s two-story multi-zone research building (known as the two-story flexible research platform).

A series of experiments will be conducted to compare KCF’s pump efficiency measurement method with an established method (e.g., ASHRAE) requiring intrusive and costly measurements of a pump’s flow rate and pressure drop in real time under varying operating conditions. Since KCF’s method is minimally invasive and wireless, there will be great market interest if the project proves the approach to be accurate.

PROJECT IMPACT

Pumping systems account for nearly 40% of the world’s electrical energy demand and range from 25-50% of the HVAC energy usage in many industrial and commercial buildings. The energy cost is the largest element in the total life-cycle cost of owning a pump (~40%). Since it is known that the average pump operates at efficiencies well below its own potential or the potential of best-in-class pumps, there is an obvious need for inexpensive ways to measure pump energy efficiency in situ to identify the pumps and pumping systems having the greatest need for improvement.

CONTACTS

DOE Technology Manager: Tony Bouza
Lead Performer: David Fugate, Oak Ridge National Laboratory