Air-conditioning system design for optimum control performance in Hong Kong

Studies on design for control optimization of air-conditioning (a/c) system for better performance in Hong Kong are reported in this thesis. Typical plant configuration data was collected from an in-depth survey of a/c systems and control used in Hong Kong. Control performance has been used for the first time as an objective for optimizing a/c system designs. The study investigates and illustrates that optimization of a/c systems for application in the Hong Kong by simulation is promising and flexible. The accuracy of simulation is enhanced by using the survey data. The survey shows that some a/c control systems and their control strategies are not well considered in the design stage and their operation and set-up are not properly addressed. Hence, there exists optimization opportunities in the a/c system design and control strategies for a/c systems used in Hong Kong. Parameters affecting the control performance of a/c systems were investigated by carrying out experiments. Identified parameters are the objective function of optimization, controller settings, control valve and drive and, in case of direct digital control, sampling rate. The influence of these factors on the control performance is an essential consideration for the entire optimization process. Strategies in applying the findings in optimizing an a/c system for control performance by simulation were developed and suggested. This study provides platform for further simulation study of optimization in both methodologies and control strategies for a/c system design and operation.