Thermo-economic optimization of rooftop unit’s evaporator coil for energy efficiency and thermal comfort

Vahid Vakiloroaya, Bijan Samali, Ahmad Fakhar, Kambiz Pishghadam

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    8 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In this paper, the optimization-simulation approach is proposed to investigate energy saving potential of an air-cooled direct expansion rooftop package air conditioning system by refining the model of the HVAC system components and deriving optimal configuration for evaporator coil subject to technical constraints. In this method the frontal area of the evaporator coil is maintained as constant and the variation of other geometrical parameters on the thermal and economical performance of the system is investigated. An actual air-cooled rooftop package of a real-world commercial building in hot and dry climate conditions is used for experimental data collection. Both inputs and outputs are measured from the field monitoring in two summer weeks. Based on the mathematical models and using collected data, modules incorporating the proposed optimal redesign procedure were embedded in a transient simulation tool. A mixed heuristic-deterministic optimization algorithm was implemented in the transient tool to determine the synthesis and design variables that influence the cost and energy efficiency of each configuration. Available experimental results were compared to predicted results to validate the model. Afterwards, the computer model was used to predict how changes in cooling coil geometry would affect the building thermal comfort, the cost and energy consumption of the system.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)345-359
    Number of pages15
    JournalBuilding Simulation
    Volume7
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'Thermo-economic optimization of rooftop unit’s evaporator coil for energy efficiency and thermal comfort'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this