An airflow control method has been developed for variable air volume (VAV) systems. This airflow control method is termed VSD volumetric tracking (VSDVT) since both the supply and return airflows are determined using signals of variable speed drives (VSD) instead of flow stations. Its performance is studied and compared with the fan tracking (FT) method using model simulations. For the simulation considered, the VSDVT maintains a constant building pressure and the required outside airflow under all load conditions, and reduces the annual supply and return air fan energy significantly. This paper presents the VSDVT method, the system models, and the simulation results.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Keywords:
air conditioning, ventilation, variable speed drives, control system synthesis, pressure control, flow control, control system analysis, electric control equipment
Topics:
Air flow, Pressure, Variable speed drives, Dampers
1.
ASHRAE, 1999, HVAC Applications, ASHRAE, pp. 45.1–45.3.
2.
Warren
,
M.
, and
Norford
,
L. K.
,
1993
, “
Integrating VAV Zone Requirement With Supply Fan Operation
,”
ASHRAE J.
,
35
(
35
), pp.
43
–
46
.
3.
Rose, R. J., and Kopko, W. L., 1994, “A Novel Method for Resetting Duct Static Pressure for Variable Air Volume Systems,” Proc. of ACEEE 1994 Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings, 5, pp. 219–223.
4.
Liu
,
M.
,
Zhu
,
Y.
,
Claridge
,
D. E.
, and
White
,
E.
,
1997
, “
Impact of Static Pressure Set Level on HVAC Energy Consumption and Indoor Conditions
,”
ASHRAE Trans.
,
103
(
2
), pp.
221
–
228
.
5.
Hartman
,
T.
,
1993
, “
Terminal Regulated Air Volume (TRAV) System
,”
ASHRAE Trans.
,
99
, Pt. 1,
791
–
800
.
6.
Wei G., Liu M., Claridge D. E., and Sakurai Y., 2000, “Improved Air Volume Control Logic for VAV Systems.” Proceedings of Twelfth Symposium on Improving Building Systems in Hot and Humid Climates, May 2000, San Antonio, TX, pp. 195–198.
7.
Gardner, F. T., 1988, “Part Load Ventilation Deficiencies in VAV Systems,” Journal of Heating/Piping/Air Conditioning, July, pp. 89–100.
8.
Mumma
,
S. A.
, and
Wong
,
Y. M.
,
1990
, “
Analytical Evaluation of Outdoor Airflow Rate Variation vs. Supply Airflow Rate Variation Invariable-Air-Volume Systems When the Outdoor Air Damper Position Is Fixed
,”
ASHRAE Trans.
,
96
(
1
), pp.
1197
–
1208
.
9.
Solberg
,
D. W.
,
1990
, “
Measurement for the Control of Fresh Air Intake
,”
ASHRAE J.
,
32
(
1
), pp.
46
–
51
.
10.
Elovitz
,
D. M.
,
1995
, “
Minimum Outside Air Control Methods for VAV Systems
,”
ASHRAE Trans.
,
101
(
2
), pp.
613
–
618
.
11.
Mudarri D., Hall J. D., and Werling E., 1996, “Energy Cost and IAQ Performance of Ventilation Systems and Controls,” IAQ 96, Paths to Better Building Environments, Baltimore.
12.
Kettler
,
J. P.
,
1995
, “
Minimum Ventilation Control for VAV Systems-Fan Tracking vs. Workable Solutions
,”
ASHRAE Trans.
,
101
(
2
), pp.
625
–
630
.
13.
Avery
,
G.
,
1992
, “
The Instability of VAV Systems
,”
Journal of Heating/Piping/Air Conditioning
,
64
(
2
), pp.
47
–
50
.
14.
Cohen
,
T.
,
1994
, “
Providing Constant Ventilation in Variable Air Volume Systems
,”
ASHRAE J.
,
36
(
5
), pp.
38
–
40
.
15.
Atkinson
,
G. V.
,
1986
, “
VAV System Volume Control Using Electronic Strategies
,”
ASHRAE Trans.
,
2B
, pp.
46
–
57
.
16.
Janu
,
G. J.
,
Wenger
,
J. D.
, and
Nesler
,
C. G.
,
1995
, “
Outside Air Flow Control for VAV Systems
,”
ASHRAE J.
,
37
(
4
), pp.
62
–
68
.
17.
Kettler
,
J. P.
,
1998
, “
Controlling Minimum Ventilation Volume in VAV Systems
,”
ASHRAE J.
,
40
(
5
), pp.
45
–
50
.
18.
Mumma, S. A., 2001, “Dedicated OA Systems,” ASHRAE IAQ Applications, 2(1), pp. 20–22.
19.
Krakow
,
K. I.
,
1998
, “
Reduction of Hysteresis in PI-Controlled Systems
,”
ASHRAE Trans.
,
104
(
1
), pp.
524
–
529
.
20.
Smith, R. B., 1987, “Variable Air Volume Building Ventilation Control System,” Proc. of ASHRAE Conf. IAQ 87, Arlington, VA, pp. 349–357.
21.
Meckler, M., 1994, “Demand-Control Ventilation Strategies for Acceptable IAQ,” Journal of Heating/Piping/Air Conditioning, May, pp. 71–74.
22.
Carpenter
,
S. C.
,
1996
, “
Energy and IAQ Impacts of CO2-Based Demand-Control Ventilation
,”
ASHRAE Trans.
,
102
(
2
), pp.
80
–
88
.
23.
Schell
,
M.
, and
Int-Hout
,
D.
,
2001
, “
Demand Controlled Ventilation Using CO2,
”
ASHRAE J.
,
43
(
2
), pp.
18
–
29
.
24.
Zhu, Y., Liu, M., Claridge, D. E., Turner, W. D., and Lewis, T., 1998, “A Novel Procedure to Determine Optimal Air Static Pressure Set-points and Reset Schedules in VAV Air Handling Units,” 11th Symp. on Improving Building Systems in Hot and Humid Climates Proc., June 1-2, Fort Worth, TX, pp. 294–301.
25.
SMACNA, 1993, HVAC Systems Testing, Adjusting & Balancing, Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Assoc., Chantilly, VA.
Copyright © 2003
 by ASME
You do not currently have access to this content.