Method, System, and Apparatus for Modular Central Plant

Abstract

There is provided a system and method for a modular central plant. In one implementation, the inventive system includes a chiller unit and cooling tower that are designed to be modularly assembled, transported, and interconnected, thereby decreasing system cost and assembly time, increasing system maintainability, and improving scalability for increasing capacity at a future date. The removable wall panels and roof of an embodiment of the present invention aid in maintainability by providing enhanced access to critical system components such as the chiller assembly. The modular architecture of the present invention allows for speedy delivery and installation, and with only external electrical and water connections needed, the system can become rapidly operational.

1 . A modular central plant system comprising:
 a plurality of prefabricated chiller modules having substantially similar exterior dimensions, each of said plurality of chiller modules including a human-accessible environmental shelter respectively enclosing at least part of each of the plurality of chiller modules; and   means for sealably joining said plurality of environmental shelters to define a unified enclosed interior volume wherein:
 each of said plurality of prefabricated chiller modules includes a plurality of fluid-bearing pipes so disposed as to allow substantially direct inter-module interconnection between respective fluid bearing pipes from each of said plurality of chiller modules when respective exterior mating surfaces of each of said plurality of chiller modules are approximated and brought within substantial aligned proximity of each other. 
   
     
     
         2 . The modular central plant system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising means for electrically interconnecting each of said of prefabricated chiller modules. 
     
     
         3 . The modular central plant system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the electrical connection means further comprises pin and sleeve connectors. 
     
     
         4 . The modular central plant system as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a relocatable water treatment skid. 
     
     
         5 . The modular central plant system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of prefabricated chiller modules further comprises a supporting frame including a hook-and-roller interconnection interface. 
     
     
         6 . The modular central plant system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of prefabricated chiller modules further includes a fastenably removable and replaceable roof. 
     
     
         7 . The modular central plant system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of prefabricated chiller modules further includes fastenably removable and replaceable wall panels. 
     
     
         8 . The modular central plant system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of prefabricated chiller modules further comprises an personnel access interlock, whereupon actuating the personnel access interlock to an open position thereof:
 an electrically operated door is translated from a closed position to an open position thereof;   an electrically operated air exchange fan is energized; and   at least one light fixture is energized.   
     
     
         9 . The modular central plant system as defined in  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of cooling towers, each of said plurality of cooling towers respectively interconnected to each of said plurality of prefabricated chiller modules, wherein each of said plurality of cooling towers is respectively substantially aligned with each of said plurality of prefabricated chiller modules. 
     
     
         10 . A method for constructing a modular central plant comprising:
 providing a plurality of prefabricated chiller modules wherein each of said plurality of prefabricated chiller modules has at least one open side defining access to an interior space therein;   aligning in substantial parallel respective central axes of said plurality of prefabricated chiller modules, wherein at least one open side of each of said plurality of prefabricated chiller modules is made substantially adjacent to at least one open side of another prefabricated chiller module of the plurality of prefabricated chiller modules;   approximating a plurality of respective mechanical interfaces of said plurality of prefabricated chiller modules and thereafter respectively interconnecting said plurality of mechanical interfaces; and   interconnecting piping headers between each of the fastened plurality of prefabricated chiller modules.   
     
     
         11 . The method for constructing a modular central plant as disclosed in  claim 10 , further comprising electrically interconnecting the plurality of prefabricated chiller modules using pin and sleeve connectors. 
     
     
         12 . The method for constructing a modular central plant as disclosed in  claim 10 , further comprising fastenably connecting vertical structural members of adjacent prefabricated chiller modules of the plurality of prefabricated chiller modules.