Optimal Outside Airflow Control of an Integrated Air-Handling Unit System for Large Office Buildings

Abstract

This paper presents optimal outside air control schedules for an integrated air-handling unit system for large commercial buildings (OAHU). The schedules are developed using the geometric linear optimization method and expressed as analytical functions of the outside air temperature and enthalpy, the interior zone airflow ratio, and the exterior zone supply air temperature. The optimal outside air control schedules can be applied to both constant and variable air volume systems. When the schedules are implemented, the OAHU system can significantly improve indoor air quality (IAQ) and use significantly less thermal energy than conventional systems. The geometric optimization method can also be used in other linear HVAC optimizations with non-liner constraint conditions.