Year-round-based optimization of high-low control in the regenerative indirect evaporative cooler (RIEC)
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Date
2019
DOI
10.1080/23744731.2019.1620576
Abstract
The performance of the regenerative indirect evaporative cooler (RIEC) highly depends on ambient temperature and humidity. To maintain indoor thermal comfort, proper control strategy is essential. Previous research indicates that high–low (H-L) control by using multispeed technology is superior to the conventional on–off control in terms of energy consumption and thermal comfort. Under H-L control, a fan switches between a high speed and a low speed. The high speed is determined by the peak load. However, the selection of low speed involves a great sense of subjectivity. Therefore, the influence of low speed on system performance is comprehensively investigated and an optimal low speed to high speed ratio (L/H) is determined. An optimization method is proposed by considering annual energy consumption, predicted mean vote, temperature fluctuation, and switch frequency of fan speed. Case studies have been conducted in some typical hot and arid regions. The results show that better thermal comfort can be provided under lower L/H from the aspects of high control precision and low temperature fluctuation. The switch frequency of fan speed and the annual energy consumption first decrease and then increase with the increment of L/H. The optimal L/H is between 0.2 to 0.3 from a year-round perspective and with comprehensive consideration.
Source Publication
Science and Technology for the Built Environment
Volume Number
25
Issue Number
10
ISSN
2374-4731
First Page
1394
Last Page
1405
Recommended Citation
Yan, H.,Chen, Y.,& Zhang, W. (2019). Year-round-based optimization of high-low control in the regenerative indirect evaporative cooler (RIEC). Science and Technology for the Built Environment, 25 (10), 1394-1405. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23744731.2019.1620576