A Tool for Evaluating Fault Detection and Diagnostic Methods for Fan Coil Units

Published

June 29, 2014

Author(s)

Shokouh Pourarian, Jin Wen, Daniel Veronica, Xiaohui Zhou, Ran Liu

Abstract

Dynamic simulation software "tools" are needed for the research and development of improved methods for automatic control and automated fault detection and diagnosis of heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. These tools must generate data accurately simulating the real data that instruments would record from both fault-free and faulty dynamic operation of HVAC systems and equipment. Fan coil units (FCU), are simple, economical devices used extensively in the HVAC systems of commercial, institutional and multifamily residential buildings. However, very little has been reported in the literature to improve their design and operation. There has also been a lack of dynamic simulation tool development focusing on FCUs. The work here develops a tool to simulate data from FCUs operating dynamically under faulty and fault-free conditions. A comprehensive and systematic validation procedure, using data collected experimentally from real FCUs in a laboratory, is used to validate the tool under both faulty and fault-free operating conditions in different seasons. The validated tool not only predicts real-world FCU behavior under different control strategies, but it also predicts symptoms associated with various faults, as well as the effects those faults have on system performance and occupant comfort.

Proceedings Title

2014 ASHRAE Annual Conference

Conference Dates

June 28-July 2, 2014

Conference Location

Seattle, WA, US

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

HVAC, simulation, component modeling, fault detection, diagnostics, FDD

Citation

Pourarian, S. , Wen, J. , Veronica, D. , Zhou, X. and Liu, R. (2014), A Tool for Evaluating Fault Detection and Diagnostic Methods for Fan Coil Units, 2014 ASHRAE Annual Conference, Seattle, WA, US (Accessed April 16, 2024)