Predictions of Energy Savings in HVAC Systems by Lumped Models (Preprint)
Abstract
An approach to optimizing the energy e ciency of a Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is presented that utilizes computational predictions of the effect of heat load distribution on moist air temperature density, and humidity variation. Lumped-HVAC (L-HVAC) is a new lumped parameter code that couples fluid transport, energy transport, thermodynamics and psychrometrics in an HVAC system. This code contains a nonlinear implicit solution algorithm for steady-state and transient calculations for flow resistance, water mass balance, and energy conservation. LHVAC has been validated using a simplified analytical model, the commercial lumped parameter code SINDA/FLUINT, and experimental measurements. Steady-state calculations for a single-room system suggest an order of magnitude greater energy savings using a variable chiller power control approach compared to control damper and variable-drive fan approaches. L-HVAC was also applied to predict that the fraction of latent to total heat load in influences the steady-state system temperature by up to 0.4 degrees C for the example system in this study.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 14, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA522667
Entities
People
- A. P. Wemhoff
- M. V. Frank
Organizations
- Villanova University