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Control Strategies in Multi-Zone Air Conditioning Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Behzad Rismanchi

    (Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia)

  • Juan Mahecha Zambrano

    (Department of Infrastructure Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia)

  • Bryan Saxby

    (OAIRO Alliance Ltd, Unit M, Bourne End Business Park, Bucks SL66TG, UK)

  • Ross Tuck

    (OAIRO Alliance Ltd, Unit M, Bourne End Business Park, Bucks SL66TG, UK)

  • Mark Stenning

    (OAIRO Alliance Ltd, Unit M, Bourne End Business Park, Bucks SL66TG, UK)

Abstract

In a commercial building, a significant amount of energy is used by the ventilation systems to condition the air for the indoor environments to satisfy the required quantity (temperature and humidity) and quality (amount of fresh air). For many years, Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems have been considered as the most efficient solutions by balancing the airflow volume based on the demand making them energy efficient when compared with the traditional Constant Air Volume (CAV) systems. However, the setpoints in VAV systems are often misread by the sensors due to stratification and formation of pollutant pockets and responding to design levels that overestimate the real-time demand conditions, which result in waste of energy, thermal discomfort and unhealthy air. In general, VAV devices are expensive, complicated and prone to failures and they are used only in medium and large projects. More recently, new technologies have evolved to solve this issue. In one of the new solutions, VAV motors terminals are replaced with flaps which are simpler and less expensive thus, they can be implemented in a wider range of projects. In systems, balancing and supplying the optimal airflow to reduce the energy consumption while delivering ideal thermal and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) levels are the main challenges. In this paper, a comparison of the recent technologies with traditional VAV systems is presented to be used as a guild line for researchers and designers in the field of Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC).

Suggested Citation

  • Behzad Rismanchi & Juan Mahecha Zambrano & Bryan Saxby & Ross Tuck & Mark Stenning, 2019. "Control Strategies in Multi-Zone Air Conditioning Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:3:p:347-:d:200147
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hyo-Jun Kim & Young-Hum Cho, 2017. "A Study on a Control Method with a Ventilation Requirement of a VAV System in Multi-Zone," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Jing, Gang & Cai, Wenjian & Zhang, Xin & Cui, Can & Yin, Xiaohong & Xian, Huacai, 2019. "Modeling, air balancing and optimal pressure set-point selection for the ventilation system with minimized energy consumption," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 574-589.
    3. Okochi, Godwine Swere & Yao, Ye, 2016. "A review of recent developments and technological advancements of variable-air-volume (VAV) air-conditioning systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 784-817.
    4. Chenari, Behrang & Dias Carrilho, João & Gameiro da Silva, Manuel, 2016. "Towards sustainable, energy-efficient and healthy ventilation strategies in buildings: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 1426-1447.
    5. Liu, Di & Zhao, Fu-Yun & Tang, Guang-Fa, 2010. "Active low-grade energy recovery potential for building energy conservation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 14(9), pages 2736-2747, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hyo-Jun Kim & Young-Hum Cho, 2021. "Optimal Control Method of Variable Air Volume Terminal Unit System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-15, November.
    2. Rima Aridi & Jalal Faraj & Samer Ali & Mostafa Gad El-Rab & Thierry Lemenand & Mahmoud Khaled, 2021. "Energy Recovery in Air Conditioning Systems: Comprehensive Review, Classifications, Critical Analysis, and Potential Recommendations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-31, September.

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