29793ASHRAE-D-RJ08Jan02-20080108[1].pdf (1.83 MB)
Evolutionary synthesis of HVAC system configurations : algorithm development (RP-1049)
journal contribution
posted on 2008-10-03, 14:28 authored by Jonathan WrightJonathan Wright, Yi Zhang, Plamen Angelov, Victor I. Hanby, Richard BuswellRichard BuswellThis paper describes the development of a model-based optimization procedure for the synthesis
of novel heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning system configurations. The optimization
problem can be considered as having three suboptimization problems: the choice of a component
set; the design of the topological connections between the components; and the design of a
system operating strategy. In an attempt to limit the computational effort required to obtain a
design solution, the approach adopted in this research is to solve all three subproblems simultaneously.
The computational effort has been further limited by implementing simplified component
models and including the system performance evaluation as part of the optimization
problem (there being no need, in this respect, to simulate the system performance).
The optimization problem has been solved using a Genetic Algorithm (GA) that has data
structures and search operators specifically developed for the solution of HVAC system optimization
problems. The performance of the algorithm and various search operators has been
examined for a two-zone optimization problem, the objective of the optimization being to find a
system design that minimizes system energy use. In particular, the performance of the algorithm
in finding feasible system designs has been examined. It was concluded that the search was
unreliable when the component set was optimized, but if the component set was fixed as a
boundary condition on the search, then the algorithm had an 81% probability of finding a feasible
system design. The optimality of the solutions is not examined in this paper but is described
in an associated publication (Wright and Zhang 2008). It was concluded that, given a candidate
set of system components, the algorithm described here provides an effective tool for exploring
the design of novel HVAC systems.
History
School
- Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering
Citation
WRIGHT, J. ... et al, 2008. Evolutionary synthesis of HVAC system configurations : algorithm development (RP-1049). HVAC&R Research, 14 (1), pp. 33-55Publisher
© American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.Publication date
2008Notes
This is a journal article [© American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. (www.ashrae.org)]. Reprinted by permission from HVAC&R Research, Vol. 14, Part 1. Additional reproduction, distribution, or transmission in either print or digital form is not permitted without ASHRAE’s prior written permission. It is also available at: www.ashrae.org/hvacr-researchISSN
1078-9669Language
- en