Simulation-assisted audit of an air conditioned building

in Proceedings of the 8th International Conference for Enhanced Building Operation, Berlin, Germany (2008, October)

The example presented here concerns the audit of a typical, medium-size, office building erected in Brussels at the end of the sixties. This building is equipped with a classical old fashioned air ... [more ▼]

The example presented here concerns the audit of a typical, medium-size, office building erected in Brussels at the end of the sixties. This building is equipped with a classical old fashioned air conditioning system with air handling units and four-pipes induction units. In the first part of the paper, a classical audit procedure is applied. It consists in a systematic analysis of all information available, with help of very simple calculation. In the second part of the paper, an equation-based building-HVAC simulation tool is used to assist the audit. Fuel and electricity consumption are then interpreted and significant energy saving opportunities are identified. [less ▲]

A contribution to the audit of an air-conditinioning system: modelling, simulation and benchmarking

in Building Services Engineering Research & Technology (2008), 29(1), 85-98

This paper intends to show how benchmarks can help in the audit of a HVAC system and how these benchmarks can be generated. The work presented is part of the European ‘AUDITAC’ project. How can an auditor ... [more ▼]

This paper intends to show how benchmarks can help in the audit of a HVAC system and how these benchmarks can be generated. The work presented is part of the European ‘AUDITAC’ project. How can an auditor declare that a given HVAC is ‘consuming too much’? He can’t make any judgment, if not having some reference, i.e. some ‘benchmarks’ available. Focus is given here to cooling regime, but even then, heating cannot be forgotten (for example, the remaining heating demand can be satisfied thanks some recovery on the condensers of the chillers). The dramatic question is: what should be the consumption(s) for such a building, in such a climate, with such occupancy, such internal loads and such actual indoor environment? Better than to look for a (very hypothetical) global weather index, similar to heating degree-days, it seems more rational to run a simulation model on a few thousands of hours, corresponding to one (or to several) cooling season(s). Current performances of simulation tools make this approach very expedient. The climate can then be considered as it is, without any simplification. The main simplification is still welcome on the system (buildingþHVAC) side, in order to get calculation robustness, easy understanding and easy parameter identification. In this perspective, the building has to be subdivided in a very limited number of zones and only a few components of the HVAC system have to be included in the simulation model, with as simple as possible control strategies. [less ▲]

Heat Pumping and Reversible Air Conditioning - First Case Study Results

Conference (2007, April)

Simulation of HVAC systems: development and validation of simulation models and examples of practical applications

(2006, October)

A survey of some “reference” and “simplified” HVAC component models is presented in this paper. The concepts of model “tuning”, “validation” and “evaluation” are briefly discussed. The parameters of the ... [more ▼]

A survey of some “reference” and “simplified” HVAC component models is presented in this paper. The concepts of model “tuning”, “validation” and “evaluation” are briefly discussed. The parameters of the models are tuned on the basis of manufacturer catalogues and/or experimental data. Mostly “simplified” or “daughter” models are used in global simulation. They are generated from “reference” or “mother” models. The “mother” models are validated in different ways: - Analytically - By comparison with other models - By comparison with experimental data. Both procedures (validation and tuning) are presented in this paper; some typical “traps” are also identified. Examples of validation and of simulation results are also presented. Commissioning and energy audit are the two application domains considered here. [less ▲]

Réalisation et validation d’un banc du système de refroidissement pour pile à combustible de véhicule

Report (2006)