Energy Conservation Potential of Economizer Controls Using Optimal Outdoor Air Fraction Based on Field Study

Hong, Goopyo; Kim, Chul; Hong, Jun

doi:10.3390/en13195038

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 28 publications

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“…Hong et al proposed an optimal outdoor air fraction using the economizer control to reduce cooling energy consumption in a hospital building. The main result was that 6-14% of the cooling energy consumption could be saved by differential dry-bulb temperature-based control and 17-27% of the cooling energy consumption using differential enthalpy-based control compared to no economizer [16]. Lee and Chen examined the potential cooling energy consumption savings through the free-cooling technology with differential enthalpy control for data centers in 17 climate zones.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Cooling Energy Savings of Economizer Control and Artificial-Neural-Network-Based Air-Handling Unit Discharge Air Temperature Control for Commercial Building

2023

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Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems play a significant role in building energy consumption, accounting for around 50% of total energy usage. As a result, it is essential to explore ways to conserve energy and improve HVAC system efficiency. One such solution is the use of economizer controls, which can reduce cooling energy consumption by using the free-cooling effect. However, there are various types of economizer controls available, and their effectiveness may vary depending on the specific climate conditions. To investigate the cooling energy-saving potential of economizer controls, this study employs a dry-bulb temperature-based economizer control approach. The dry-bulb temperature-based control strategy uses the outdoor air temperature as an indicator of whether free cooling can be used instead of mechanical cooling. This study also introduces an artificial neural network (ANN) prediction model to optimize the control of the HVAC system, which can lead to additional cooling energy savings. To develop the ANN prediction model, the EnergyPlus program is used for simulation modeling, and the Python programming language is employed for model development. The results show that implementing a temperature-based economizer control strategy can lead to a reduction of 7.6% in annual cooling energy consumption. Moreover, by employing an ANN-based optimal control of discharge air temperature in air-handling units, an additional 22.1% of cooling energy savings can be achieved. In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrate that the implementation of economizer controls, especially the dry-bulb temperature-based approach, can be an effective strategy for reducing cooling energy consumption in HVAC systems. Additionally, using ANN prediction models to optimize HVAC system controls can further increase energy savings, resulting in improved energy efficiency and reduced operating costs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential Cooling Energy Savings of Economizer Control and Artificial-Neural-Network-Based Air-Handling Unit Discharge Air Temperature Control for Commercial Building

2023

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“…Additionally, under cold ambient temperatures, the anti-freezing coupling of the thermal process of hot water and frigid air was fully studied [30][31][32][33][34][35]. The impact of the outdoor air fraction by economizer control type in cooling system loads based on real air handling unit operation parameters was disclosed, which provided references for economizer controls at hot-humid conditions [36]. Temperature fields and thermal stresses of aircraft key components of a simple geometric shape have also been studied by numerical modelling [37].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tower Configuration Impacts on the Thermal and Flow Performance of Steel-Truss Natural Draft Dry Cooling System

et al. 2021

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In recent years, the steel-truss natural draft dry cooling technique has received attention owing to its advantages in better aseismic capability, shorter construction period, and preferable recycling. For cooling towers generating the draft force of air flow, its configuration may impact the thermal and flow performance of the steel-truss natural draft dry cooling system. With regard to the issue, this work explored the thermal and flow characteristics for the steel-truss natural draft dry cooling systems with four typical engineering tower configurations. By numerical simulation, the pressure, flow, and temperature contours were analyzed, then air mass flow rates and heat rejections were calculated and compared for the local air-cooled sectors and overall steel-truss natural draft dry cooling systems with those four tower configurations. The results present that tower 2 with the conical/cylindrical configuration had slightly lower heat rejection compared with tower 1 with the traditional hyperbolic configuration. Tower 3 with the hyperbolic/cylindrical configuration showed better thermo-flow performances than tower 1 at high crosswinds, while tower 4 with the completely cylindrical configuration appeared to have much reduced cooling capability under various crosswind conditions, along with strongly deteriorated thermal and flow behaviors. As for engineering application of the steel-truss natural draft dry cooling system, the traditional hyperbolic tower configuration is recommended for local regions with gentle wind, while for those areas with gale wind yearly, the hyperbolic/cylindrical integrated cooling tower is preferred.

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Analysis of thermal environment and energy performance by biased economizer outdoor air temperature sensor fault

2022

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Energy Conservation Potential of Economizer Controls Using Optimal Outdoor Air Fraction Based on Field Study

Cited by 4 publications

References 28 publications

Potential Cooling Energy Savings of Economizer Control and Artificial-Neural-Network-Based Air-Handling Unit Discharge Air Temperature Control for Commercial Building

Potential Cooling Energy Savings of Economizer Control and Artificial-Neural-Network-Based Air-Handling Unit Discharge Air Temperature Control for Commercial Building

Tower Configuration Impacts on the Thermal and Flow Performance of Steel-Truss Natural Draft Dry Cooling System

Analysis of thermal environment and energy performance by biased economizer outdoor air temperature sensor fault

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