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Title: Verification of Energy Reduction Effect through Control Optimization of Supply Air Temperature in VRF-OAP System

Journal Article · · Energies
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/en11010049· OSTI ID:1422474
 [1];  [1]; ORCiD logo [2];  [3]
  1. Samsung LED, R&D Inst., Suwon (Republic of Korea)
  2. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Building Technologies Research and Integration Center (BTRIC)
  3. Gyeongsang National University (GNU), Korea. Dept. of Architectural Engineering (ERI)

This paper developed an algorithm that controls the supply air temperature in the variable refrigerant flow (VRF), outdoor air processing unit (OAP) system, according to indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, and verified the effects after applying the algorithm to real buildings. The VRF-OAP system refers to a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to complement a ventilation function, which is not provided in the VRF system. It is a system that supplies air indoors by heat treatment of outdoor air through the OAP, as a number of indoor units and OAPs are connected to the outdoor unit in the VRF system simultaneously. This paper conducted experiments with regard to changes in efficiency and the cooling capabilities of each unit and system according to supply air temperature in the OAP using a multicalorimeter. Based on these results, an algorithm that controlled the temperature of the supply air in the OAP was developed considering indoor and outdoor temperatures and humidity. The algorithm was applied in the test building to verify the effects of energy reduction and the effects on indoor temperature and humidity. Loads were then changed by adjusting the number of conditioned rooms to verify the effect of the algorithm according to various load conditions. In the field test results, the energy reduction effect was approximately 15–17% at a 100% load, and 4–20% at a 75% load. However, no significant effects were shown at a 50% load. The indoor temperature and humidity reached a comfortable level.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725
OSTI ID:
1422474
Journal Information:
Energies, Vol. 11, Issue 1; ISSN 1996-1073
Publisher:
MDPI AGCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 13 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (13)

Integration of variable refrigerant flow and heat pump desiccant systems for the cooling season journal June 2010
Energy performance of direct expansion air handling unit in office buildings journal July 2014
Simulation comparison of VAV and VRF air conditioning systems in an existing building for the cooling season journal November 2009
Energy simulation in the variable refrigerant flow air-conditioning system under cooling conditions journal February 2007
Modeling and energy simulation of the variable refrigerant flow air conditioning system with water-cooled condenser under cooling conditions journal September 2009
Experimental evaluation and simulation of a variable refrigerant- flow (VRF) air-conditioning system with outdoor air processing unit journal July 2017
Dynamic target high pressure control of a VRF system for heating energy savings journal February 2017
Evaluation of energy savings potential of variable refrigerant flow (VRF) from variable air volume (VAV) in the U.S. climate locations journal November 2017
Development and application of the load responsive control of the evaporating temperature in a VRF system for cooling energy savings journal March 2016
Simulation and optimization of multi-split variable refrigerant flow systems journal December 2018
Control and energy simulation of variable refrigerant flow air conditioning system combined with outdoor air processing unit journal March 2014
Field performance measurements of a heat pump desiccant unit in dehumidification mode journal January 2008
Integration of variable refrigerant flow and heat pump desiccant systems for the heating season journal April 2010

Cited By (2)

Monitoring the Fuel Efficiency of Gas Engine in Integrated Energy System book January 2020
Increasing the Operation Efficiency of Railway Air Conditioning System on the Base of Its Simulation Along the Route Line book January 2020