The optimised design of HVAC systems
Year: 1986
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The workable design of HVAC (Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning)\nsystems is based upon sizing the components individually to meet a\npeak duty of a nominal operating point. Growing economic pressure\ndemands more cost effective and efficient designs, but the appraisal\nof alternative solutions is limited by short design and construction\ntimes. The design of HVAC systems can benefit from the application of\nnumerical optimisation methods as these allow the rapid appraisal of\nalternative schemes and the sizing of the components simultaneously\nfor criteria such as minimum first cost, operating cost, life—cycle\ncost or primary energy consumption.\nOptimisation problems can be categorised according to the\ncharacteristics of the functions used to appraise the solutions and\nthose of the constraints on the problem. This thesis discusses the\nformulation of EVAC system design problems in this context and\ndescribes the development of an optimisation procedure which is based\nupon a data base of manufactured components and operating parameters\nsuch as controller setpoints, mass flow rates and temperatures. The\nthesis describes several objective functions used in the appraisal of\nsolutions and describes the use of constraint functions in restricting\nthe solution to a practicable design.\nUVAC system optimised design problems can be solved using direct\nsearch methods. The implementation of three direct search algorithms\nis described and the limitations of each discussed. Conclusions are\ndrawn and the characteristics of HVAC system optimised design problems\nused to make recommendations for the future development of an\nidealized algorithm.\nThe thesis describes the development and structure of the optimised\ndesign program and its integration with an existing suite of\nsimulation programs. The application of the program to the design of\nexample heat recovery systems is given and the potential use of the\nsoftware in other applications described together with proposals for\nthe development of the procedure as a design tool.
Author: Jonathan A. Wright
Language: English
Subfield: Building and Construction
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W782976310