Operation analysis of the developed building ventilation system using turbofans and mechanical wind energy storage

Abstract

Ventilation systems have an energy saving potential by making the most of the good advantage of natural ventilation. However, its major limitation is the unpredictability of the driving forces leading to a mismatch between building demand and system performance. This paper presents an analysis of the operation of an innovative building ventilation system (a HiVent system). The developed system provides a ventilation method with the increased functionality of a roof turbine ventilator that can ensure air exchange inside the building, when the wind does not rotate the RTV sufficiently or completely due to a reduced speed. The system is equipped with an isobaric air tank storage and air tank turbofan. The main advantage of this system is that it uses only renewable wind energy. The case analysis has showed that the system functionality (the duration of time when the set exhaust airflow rate is ensured) can be increased by 12–25%. Analytical formalization and experimental testing of the system components has shown how their characteristics should be combined with each other; what improvements have potential to increase the efficiency of the system. This disclosure of the coherence of their interaction contributes to new knowledge about the use of renewable energy sources and ventilation technologies.