Fan energy use in variable air volume systems

Conference · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · ASHRAE Trans.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6494381

Brothers, P W; Warren, M L

Fan energy consumption in variable air volume (VAV) systems is affected by both the technique used to control the flow rate and the control algorithm used. In this paper a simulation study is made of a ''standard'' 10,000 square foot building. Three flow-control techniques- system dampers, inlet vane control, and variable speed control- are considered along with two types of control algorithms: proportional (P) and proportional-integral (PI). A relationship is derived for the relative power consumption under P and PI control. Fan power consumption in the example building is calculated for five locations, two types of fan (backward-inclined centrifugal and vaneaxial), the three control techniques, and the two control algorithms. Significant differences are found in annual energy consumption for the different cases.

• Research Organization: Dept. of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309
• OSTI ID: 6494381
• Report Number(s): CONF-8606125-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: ASHRAE Trans.; (United States) Journal Volume: 92:2B
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320106* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Building Equipment-- (1987-)
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990220 -- Computers
Computerized Models
& Computer Programs-- (1987-1989)
AIR FLOW
ALGORITHMS
ANNUAL VARIATIONS
BLOWERS
BUILDINGS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
CONTROL THEORY
DRAFT CONTROL SYSTEMS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
EQUIPMENT
FLOW RATE
FLOW REGULATORS
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
INCLINATION
INTAKE STRUCTURES
MATHEMATICAL LOGIC
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
POWER DEMAND
SIMULATION
SPEED REGULATORS
VANES
VARIATIONS