Optimisation of HVAC processes

Abstract

This report documents the learning experiences and knowledge gained by the author during the Final Year Project on HVAC simulating system and PID control theory. Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are commonly used in applications that need large cooling capacity such as commercial air conditioning in offices. HVACs consume between 40 and 60 percent of the total energy in buildings, and thus its energy efficiency is important. In order create a more comfortable and convenient environments for people, the constant system controls of various types are great recommended. Due to the continuous changes in the buildings inside and outside temperature and humidity, a feedback control system can be built to promptly maintain the indoor environment into a relatively stable condition. The author was actively involved in the research to explore the internal connection between temperature and other factors in the HVAC system whose changes in value will affect the temperature directly. Experiments were conducted on the HVAC simulation system to justify the theoretical calculations. Using the experimental method, PID controllers were used to control the superheat of the HVAC simulation system with the opening of the electronic expansion valve (EEV) and to control the room temperature of the HVAC simulation system with the change in frequency of compressor, using NI Labview.